Gel and gel-effect nail polishes have revolutionised the UK beauty industry and are your best option for achieving a long-lasting, salon-quality manicure at home. There are some seriously impressive options from brands like Sally Hansen, Essie and Barry M to choose from.
So we've searched through them all to discover the best of professional gel and gel-effect polishes, including which are easiest to both apply and remove and are certified vegan or cruelty-free. All of our selected items are available to buy through Amazon, John Lewis and Asda. Moreover, we have partnered with Makeup Artist Marie Dancer for reviewing and fact-checking the article so that we can deliver the best information.
Quick List - Top Gel Nail Polishes
As a professional make-up artist of ten years, Marie's job has taken her all over the UK working at top events, on TV shows and making up beautiful brides. For all her clients she loves emphasising their natural beauty by creating a flawless base that still looks like skin.
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As a professional makeup artist of ten years, Marie's job has taken her all over the UK, working at top events, on TV shows and making up beautiful brides. For all of her clients, she loves emphasising their natural beauty by creating a flawless base that still looks like skin.
Find out more about Marie and what are her favourite makeup products are through her Instagram! She even shares some industry tips on makeup application too. And if you're interested in getting your makeup done by Marie, you can contact her via her email found at the top of her page.
To effectively remove professional gel polish you can:
Both of these methods can cause quite a bit of damage to your natural nails, so it pays to invest in a nourishing nail cream and a protective nail strengthener, to give your natural nails a break between each manicure.
Consider the price of your salon gel mani, you will save a lot of money in the long run by investing in a lamp and practising at home. However, if you struggle to paint your less dominant hand or don’t have the time to spend curing each layer, it may not be the best option for you.
Check out our 10 Best Nail Polish Removers here! Then, invest in cuticle oil to keep your nail beds super smooth!
As an alternative to the more advanced gel polishes, there's now a happy medium on the market: gel-effect nail colours. They look tougher and shinier than regular polishes but don't require a UV lamp to be set, or harsh chemicals and violent scrubbing to remove - they can be removed with plain old nail polish remover.
Gel-effect polish gives nails a glossy finish that lasts flawlessly for far longer than regular nail varnish. They offer all the benefits of gel nails: tougher and shinier than regular nail polishes, but without the need for professional equipment or hefty removal. These give you a look without curing under a UV light, making it quicker and more efficient.
The texture of the formula will feel slightly thicker and stickier but will dry down to a solid, chip-resistant finish. Some brands offer just a gel look topcoat, and others, you can find a gel style within the coloured polish itself.
A great option to invest in is a gel-effect top coat. All you have to do is use it with regular nail polish for a similar effect to that of more expensive and time consuming polishes. It won't be as impressively thick as when used in tandem with a gel-effect polish, but it's a slightly more affordable way of ensuring polish looks slick, and lasts a good deal longer than without it.
Check to see if your regular nail polish brand has a gel effect top coat, this way you can guarantee the formulas will work together for the best finish and longest wear.
If you like to wear the same nail colour for a long time, neutral shades that blend in with your skin tone, including subtle orange, cream, or brown, work best and are not as prone to visible chipping compared to flashier counterparts.
If you are starting and are unsure what colours work for you, opting for a colour that doesn't draw too much attention is a great place to hone your nail painting skills before jumping into neon shades of green, for example.
Neutral colours will guarantee to match any outfit or make-up look, making it the most efficient choice. A smart choice for office environments will maintain a professional, well-groomed look for work.
If you like your nails to be the centre of attention, we cannot recommend sheen gel nail polish enough. Pick a strong colour such as red, pink, or even white to really highlight your hands. Striking nails also work great in evening settings as they are wonderful at counterbalancing dark areas through natural reflection.
If you like to wear a lot of monotone clothing - think black everything - opting for a flashy nail colour can drastically change the way you look. Most people look great in a combo of black and red, but we will leave it up to you to find your favourite accent colour.
Much like choosing a lipstick, think about your skin undertone to decide which shade will be the most flattering. If you have warm or olive tones, an orangey-red will really pop. Cooler skin tones will suit blue-toned cherry reds and deep wine shades. Play around and see what you prefer as ultimately it's your choice!
If you like to lift your spirit or mood through a little self-care, we recommend a pearl polish to keep your nails looking effortlessly glamorous. Perfect for brunch with friends, or attending a ceremony, pearlescent tones work great for anyone over 30 looking for that extra hint of sophistication
What's more, pearlescent toned polish is renowned for its complementary properties when paired with a lot of jewellery. If you like your nails to be less of a stand-alone statement and more an essential piece to your entire look, we think this is the best choice for you.
For those that want to elevate a natural nail look, try a pearlescent toned polish. This sophisticated style will match almost any outfit and make-up look without drawing too much attention. Perfect for a special occasion, pearlescent polish adds a subtle touch of glamour to tie the look together.
Of course, most nail varnishes contain somewhat stronger chemicals than say, a gentle facial soap, but there are certain ones to be aware of so you can know which are harmful and which are deemed safe according to national health standards.
Two ingredients that are definitely best avoided are toluene and dibutyl phthalate. These are officially prohibited and would be illegal if found in modern nail polishes, but formaldehyde - a natural organic compound - is a Category 1B carcinogen that sometimes appears in polish sold in the UK. For peace of mind, we recommend making sure that your polish is formaldehyde-free.
Those who want to make sure they're buying the kindest possible product should look out for the leaping bunny logo, which proves your gel polish was not tested on animals. You can also conduct some research on the brands' ethical stance via their website.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Mylee Mygel | ![]() | Professional Nails Made Vegan | |
2 | Nails Inc Gel Effect Nail Polish | ![]() | Bestseller for Superb Chip Resistance | |
3 | Barry M Gelly Hi Shine | ![]() | Bargain Price Tag With a Brilliant Shine | |
4 | Sally Hansen Miracle Gel | ![]() | Beautiful Pro Colour That Lasts | |
5 | Essie Gel Couture Nail Polish | ![]() | Salon-Sleek Nails at Home Without the UV Lamp | |
6 | Sally Hansen Vegan Top Coat | ![]() | Lock In Colour With A Vegan Plumping Top-Coat | |
7 | Aimeili Soak Off UV Gel Nail Polish|Set of 6 | ![]() | Fabulous Chip-Free Nails With a Mirror Shine | |
8 | Elite99 Soak Off Gel Polish | ![]() | Non-Toxic Gels in Kaleidoscope Shades | |
9 | LeChat Perfect Match | ![]() | Intense Professional, Long-Lasting Colour |
If you want super long lasting nails that cure under UV look no further than Mylee's MYGEL. From white to pearlescent shades of gold and silver, Mylee's collection is not one to be missed. Free from baddies such as formaldehyde and 100% vegan, this professional polish ticks all the boxes.
If you are serious about long-lasting nails and have your own curing station, we highly recommend the investment into Mylee's 140 shades that will keep you looking and feeling utterly fantastic.
Nails Inc know good gel polish and this one is no exception. This polish has a highly pigmented formula and excellent coverage. Without any need for a UV lamp or soak-off removal, this product covers your fingertips with magnificently shiny colour that lasts and lasts.
This best-selling range is a favourite with makeup artists seeking the next manicure high, but not quite ready to commit to a full-on set of gel nails. This particular product contains 'plasticising' ingredients which help make the colour superbly chip-resistant.
The best thing about Barry M - apart from the fact they offer a top-notch range of nail varnishes in a vast collection of colours and other makeup products - is the fact that everything they make is cruelty-free.
This gel nail varnish is not tested on animals at any stage of the production. Add to that the fact its jelly-like texture creates a thick, steadfast layer of colour on your nails and you're onto a real winner!
Sally Hansen is a nail range you can rely on for salon-standard quality, without the eyebrow raising prices. This product really perfects the balance between a regular gel-effect polish and the professional end of the range.
Our favourite product is available in a range of more than 38 colours and looks simply exceptional with just 2 coats. It's a brilliant way to get nails like a pro without the price tag, time constraints or stressful removal! Perfect.
This nail polish is hugely popular, not only with beauty experts but also consumers reviewing it across eCommerce websites. Essie is a popular range because of the dreamy thick and silky brush that glides over your whole nail in one fell swoop.
Their gel version packs an added punch of gloss and should last up to 2 weeks – impressive for only a gel-effect product. To ensure the best results, add a base and top coat for extra insurance. You can also just use normal nail polish remover to take off this nail varnish.
Adhere the colour to your nails with this amazing vegan formulation from Sally Hansen's PURE range. With natural ingredients and a plant-based brush, you can be sure that your nails are well protected and will look great for longer.
While this product is certainly something to invest in, some reviewers noted that the top coat did not last as long as expected, so it may be good to apply a few coats.
This range of heavy-duty gel polishes is exactly what a professional nail technician would use at the salon. Satisfied reviewers on eCommerce pages describe it as 'good quality' with 'fabulous results'.
Aimeili polishes are popular with professionals because of their (almost) industrial strength thickness that stays stubbornly in place for weeks. Ideal for building quality colour at home without breaking the bank.
This super-tough polish layers up to result in a mani that looks almost like you've just stepped out of the salon. Enjoy sporting flawless nails for a minimum of 2 weeks, that look as though they were painted by professionals.
The lovely big pieces of glitter twinkle brightly whenever the light catches them, which will have pals complimenting you left, right and centre. Disclaimer: good luck getting this crazy-tough nail colour off!
For stunning crystal-sparkling shine, pick LeChat's Perfect Match gel polish. You'll need a UV lamp at home to carefully dry each layer of this thick, oozing polish, and they are also easy to soak off when you fancy a change of colour.
It's popular with online reviewers who rave about the long-lasting, chip-free effects and the holographic range of shades. The only possible downside is that there is not a wide selection of colours available.
This will depend on the type of gel nail polish you are using. If you are applying a gel-effect polish, then you can air-dry your nails. However, if it’s a professional gel then you must cure it under UV light because oxygen will prevent hardening, resulting in an easily smudged set.
One ingredient is your friend: acetone. Typically, it is most common to splash some acetone onto a cotton ball and apply it directly to each nail, holding it for a few seconds, then rubbing off. This process is continued until you can gently scrape away any remaining molecules - then hydrate!
Without proper treatment, your nails will not escape unscathed from the use of gel nail polish; prolonged use may even induce brittle or cracked nails. To combat this, make sure that you are treating your nails with specifically formulated solutions to reduce the damage gel nail polish can cause.
Written and researched by Annie Hopkins
We partner with specialists across various fields to proof-read our buying guides to deliver accurate and reliable information. Our specialists do not endorse any products that we recommend.
- mybest UK
No. 1: Mylee|Mygel
No. 2: Nails Inc|Gel Effect Nail Polish
No. 3: Barry M|Gelly Hi Shine
No. 4: Sally Hansen|Miracle Gel
No. 5: Essie|Gel Couture Nail Polish
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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