If you require a quick answer, the best gel nail polish is the Bluesky No Wipe Kit and it includes both a base and top coat that’s designed to be used with a LED or UV nail lamp. In terms of its desirable qualities, it’s easy to apply and promises a long lasting and professional finish. However, if you want to use gel nail polishes but without a LED or UV lamp, the Sally Hansen Miracle Gel is the best alternative to consider.
To rate the gel nail polishes within this article, we based our recommendations upon testing multiple formulas (as shown in the “How We Rated” section below), plenty of research and a number of factors. Some of the factors that we considered included the ease of application, finish, durability, formulation, colour options available and value for money.
Table of Contents
Gel Nail Polish Comparison
| Gel Nail Polish | Application | Durability |
|---|---|---|
| Bluesky Base & Top Coat | UV Lamp | 14 Days |
| Mylee MYGEL | UV Lamp | 14 Days |
| CCO UV LED | UV Lamp | 14 Days |
| Sally Hansen Miracle Gel | Without | 14 Days |
| Essie Gel Couture | Without | 12 Days |
| Nails Inc Gel Effect | Without | 10 Days |
Gels are often confused as a shellac nail polish because both provide a durable finish that’s applied in the same way. However, the main difference between the two polishes is the fact that a shellac is a form of permanent nail polish whereas a gel is simply just a gel. However, it’s worth pointing out that there are many “hybrid” formulas available.
Below is a list of the best gel nail polishes that are long lasting and available in a wide range of colours.
The Best Gel Nail Polish
1. Bluesky Gel Nail Polishes
By far the most popular and highly rated gel nail polish available in the UK is by the Bluesky brand. It’s a no wipe formula that comes as a kit that includes both a base and top coat for a professional finish to your nails.
According to the brand, their gel nail polish is very easy to apply and cures under a UV nail lamp in just 60 seconds.
Other features of the Bluesky Gel Nail Polishes include:
- Trusted brand backing
- Vegan friendly formulation
- High shine and glossy finish
- Long lasting durability
- Available in 7 different colours
To conclude, the Bluesky Gel Nail Polish is a great option to consider due to its durability, ease of application and professional finish that it’s able to achieve. The only slight drawback is the premium price tag but once you’ve used it once, you’ll never switch to another nail polish again.
2. MYGEL By Mylee Nail Polish
Mylee are a reputable and well-known UK brand that specialize in UV lamps and nail gel polishes. They offer the largest variety of colours and even specialist finishes such as a disco ball, copper shine and so much more.
For complete peace of mind, the brand offer a 30 day money back guarantee with all of their gel nail polishes. This is a great display of the brand’s confidence of their product and you won’t be left disappointed.
Other features of the Mylee MYGEL include:
- Last up to 14 days
- Over 100 gel colours available
- Completely safe and compliant with UK safety regulations
- Vegan based formula
- Cures under a UV or LED lamp
- Easy to apply and remove
- UK brand that offer a money back guarantee
As with all of the Mylee polishes, this MYGEL formula is easy to apply and provides a great finish each and every time. It’s also available in many unique finishes as well as over 100 standard gel colours too.
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3. CCO UV LED Nail Gel Polish
CCO is a well-known nail polish brand that produce a wide range of finishes. According to the brand, their gel formula provides a hardwearing finish that doesn’t smudge or chip. They also state that in order to achieve the best finish from their gel nail polish, you’ll need to use matching base and top coats.
Other features of the CCO UV LED Gel Polish include:
- Lasts up to 14 days
- Mirror shine finish
- Applies like polish but removes like gel
- No smudging or chipping
- Variety of colours available
Overall, the CCO UV gel nail polish is an excellent all-round option that offers great value for the money. The brand also offer a variety of colours and finishes to best suit your requirements too.
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4. Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Polish
For those that don’t own a UV lamp but want a professional finish, the Sally Hansen gel polish is the best option. It’s a two step process that works by applying a colour and then a top coat, which makes the gel cure upon the nail. Another standout feature of this gel nail polish is the fact that it’s available in over 70 different colour options.
Other features of the Sally Hansen Miracle Polish include:
- No UV lamp required
- 70 colours
- Two step application process
- Easy, soak-free removal
- Professional mirror finish
- Long lasting and chip resistant
In terms of the application of this nail polish, you’ll need to ensure that your nails are completely dry. You can then proceed to apply two coats of the colour of your choice but you’ll need to ensure that each layer has dried completely (5 minutes) before the finishing top coat is applied.
To conclude, the Miracle Polish by Sally Hansen is a one of the best gel nail polishes that doesn’t require a UV lamp and is also available in a range of colours.
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5. Essie Gel Couture Nail Polish
Another popular gel nail polish that doesn’t require a UV lamp is by the Essie brand. It’s a formula that has been around since 1981 and is used around the world as well as featuring on many runways.
In terms of the application, it’s a two step process that requires two coats of colour and a single layer of top coat.
Other features of the Essie Gel Couture include:
- Choice of 23 different colours
- Wear time of up to 12 days
- Prevents your nails from chipping
- Perfect for salon and at home application
- Two step application
- Nail salon finish
Overall, the Essie Gel Couture is a high quality nail gel polish that’s available in 23 finishes and it won’t disappoint. It’s also able to provide an ultra glossy finish that seals the colour for a long lasting shine without the need of a UV lamp too.
6. Nails Inc Gel Effect Polish
Another gel nail polish that doesn’t require a UV lamp is the Nails Inc Gel Effect formula. It’s a vegan based formulation that combines a regenerating complex with an African resurrection plant to provide the polish with its durability.
For the best results, it’s advised to use a base coat first and then follow up with 2 layers of the gel polish.
Other features of the Nails Inc Gel Effect include:
- Vegan based formulation
- Doesn’t require a UV lamp
- Highly pigmented for a rich colour finish
- Easy to apply and remove
- Long-wearing formula
- Multiple colour options available
Although expensive, the Nails Inc Gel Effect is a long lasting formula that’s quick and easy to apply. As the formula contains a high reflection resin, it also produces a freshly painted shine finish which is very desirable.
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How We Rated
As with most people that paint their nails with gels, we’ve tried and tested hundreds of different polishes over the years. From the popular standard colours to unique festive designs, there isn’t much we haven’t tried.
Whilst testing the gel nail polishes, we always try to take note of the ease of application to the nails, durability (how many days they last) as well as their final finish.
As well as our experience of using multiple gel nail polishes, we also based our recommendations upon hours of research and a number of factors. Some of the factors that we took into consideration included the ease of application, finish, colour options available, durability and value for money.
Below is a video we posted upon our Instagram page that shows us testing the Bluesky formula (our top rated recommendation). As you can see from the video, it’s very easy to apply and once cured under a nail lamp, it looks great.
Conclusion
Gel nail polishes are becoming increasingly more popular in the UK and this is mainly due to the fact that they offer numerous benefits. These benefits include a long lasting finish, added protection, a fast drying formulation as well as a range of designs. If it’s your first time using a gel nail polish, you’ll certainly be blown away by its finish and durability.
All of our recommendations above are available in a range of colours and styles and can be applied with or without a UV lamp. To avoid disappointment, we strongly advise that you stick to the reputable UK brands that are known for their gels.
