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Best Nail Lacquers

Updated December 2021
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
OPI Kiss on the Chic
OPI
Kiss on the Chic
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Bottom Line

Long wear, exciting colors, and good value earn OPI nail lacquers our high marks. A top-selling brand among professional and at-home manicurists.

Pros

Surpasses others for its long wear and numerous shades that has made it a favorite brand of professional manicurists. Goes on smoothly and evenly, and most shades look great with just one coat. Not too pricey.

Cons

Some shades, especially darker ones, may chip quicker. Bubbles in the lacquer have been reported after shaking it in preparation for use.

Best Bang for the Buck
Orly Pink Chocolate
Orly
Pink Chocolate
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Bottom Line

Choose this nail lacquer if variety and affordability are your top priorities. You'll also most likely get streak-free results and longevity from your Orly manicure.

Pros

An affordable lacquer by a popular name brand that provides reasonable wear. Comes in just about any shade you can imagine, including vibrant, bold, and neutral colors. Lasts a long time.

Cons

Some colors may look a bit different in person, and some shades, such as those with special effects, tend to chip faster.

Christian Dior Wonderland
Christian Dior
Wonderland
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Bottom Line

Dior offers similar quality in its nail lacquers as it does in its other premium cosmetics. However, they are pricey and come in less shades than most competitors.

Pros

Offers rich colors by a top name in beauty. Many users brag about how long it wears before chipping or peeling. Most shades also provide amazing shine that lasts. Easy to remove when needed.

Cons

Expensive. Available shade options are limited compared to some other brands.

Butter London Seaside
Butter London
Seaside
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Bottom Line

This brand has gained a loyal following for its numerous colors and lack of several harmful chemicals, plus it tends to provide similar wear as other competing brands.

Pros

Comes in a wide array of colors, from trendy to classic. Highly pigmented, only takes one coat for dramatic color for most of the available shades. Made by a brand popular for containing less harmful chemicals, including formaldehyde, DBP, and toluene.

Cons

Some colors seem to chip or peel easier than others.

Nailtiques San Tropez
Nailtiques
San Tropez
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Bottom Line

This nail lacquer has some excellent features such as the protein-rich formula and natural results, but also has limited colors and possible application issues.

Pros

Brand focuses on natural nail care. Polish is formulated with protein, which may provide added strength to nails. Finish is natural. Dries quickly and wears well under most typical circumstances. A brand that is used by many salons.

Cons

Streaking and bubbling during application are common.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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Consumers
Consulted
28
Hours
Researched
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The team that worked on this review