My BIAB / gel nail era ends with 2025. What at-home polish actually lasts more than a day?

[AccidentallyOnTrend]

Just that, really. I’ve always been epically lame at anything vaguely girly and lack any kind of “doing my own nails” knack — they always end up looking like they have been painted by a five-year-old wearing a pirate eyepatch.

That would be fine, but they also chip and peel and flake within a day – does anyone have any recs for really decent polish that actually stays on? I figure even splurging on a few bottles will be quickly offset by a month or two not paying any more valuable life hours and hard earned £££ sat in salons that smell like car paint.

Sorry I just noticed this. ATM I am using Lily and Fox and the quality is really good and they are cheap. They are much thicker than other wraps I've tried so far. I put two layers of nail hardner on underneath and a top coat.

I’ve used Sassy Saints and Bewitched Digits. Sassy Saints feel better quality but both stuck well.

First time I did Sassy Saints I used the some that were too wide my nails and some came off as they weren’t stuck properly at the sides. They need to be applied to dry nails, completely clean with a base coat. The most important thing is to make sure they are stuck round the edges so no water/oil can get under them.

I also don’t get on with filing the excess down as I found I was accidentally pulling them off the nail tip. What I do now is stick as hard as I can all over the nail, then clip off the extra tip plus a tiny bit of nail to shape. Then I make sure not to get my hands really wet for a good few hours and they usually last really well.

Essie gel 10 days in and looking good, but will remove tonight. I got my husband to wash up all the pots and pans, and baking trays!

Base coat, Essie and Seche Vite. Lasts a week for me.

BIAB (built in a bottle)

I’m going through the no more biab phase. My nails look very unhealthy and are weak. I’ve used OPI 60 second rapid dry to cover how awful they look. I’m on day 4 and they still look good, no chips and easy to apply. I am hoping natural looking nails make a comeback.