I Quit Gel Nails—7 Polish Alternatives That are Just as Good
Here, find the long-lasting, gel-like nail polishes that have impressed the Who What Wear UK beauty team, from the likes of OPI, Chanel, Hermès, CND and more.
So here's the deal: I recently developed an allergy to gel nail polish, which, as a beauty editor, came as a bit of a blow (to say the least). So if you've landed on this article, you might be in the same predicament and considering some gel-nail alternatives.
Don't get me wrong, I love having my nails done, and I've always appreciated the longevity of gel treatments for making my beauty admin far more streamlined. Nail polishes, on the other hand, chip way too quickly for my liking. Not to mention, I'm way too impatient to let it dry in the first place, making me inevitably doomed to smudge all of my hard work.
However, every cloud has a silver lining, so I've taken the liberty of exploring some alternatives to gel nail polish. And honestly? I'm genuinely blown away by some of the gel-effect nail polishes that are around right now.
The good news is that nail polish formulas have come a long way in recent years, and whilst gel-effect nail polishes might not last for weeks on end like their salon counterparts, I've found some seriously long-lasting ones that have made my manicures stay in place with 7-10 days of wear, with minimal chipping too.
Plus, removing regular nail polish is way easier than gel (which makes switching up your nail colour more frequently far easier), and doesn't pose the same risk of damage when taking off gel nails at home.
Scroll on to find the best gel-nail alternatives I've switched to and now swear by.
Best Gel Nail Polish Alternatives
1. Manucurist
When Who What Wear UK shopping editor Remy Farrell tried the Manucurist Green Flash Kit, I was immediately influenced. This might look like a gel kit, but this polish is, in fact, formulated without methacrylate monomers and HEMA, which are the molecules that can cause allergies in normal gel polish. Simply paint your nails, set them under the LED lamp and enjoy a chip-free mani for up to 10 days. It's a great option if you like the ritual of gel nails with professional results. It also removes like regular polish, too.
Shop Manucurist nail polishes:
Love milky nails? This sheer white achieves the look instantly.
This dark pansy shade will see you through all seasons.
I am blown away at how well this works. If you want an expensive-looking mani but don't want to head to the salon, then add this to your wish list immediately.
2. Chanel
When I sat down with celebrity manicurist and nail expert Harriet Westmoreland, she introduced me to Chanel's somewhat recently reformulated Le Vernis nail polishes (the new shades are so chic), and my now favourite top coat, Le Gel Coat, which Westmoreland finished my pictured mani with. No joke—this French manicure lasted all week, and only started lightly chipping thereafter. As someone who is heavy-handed, I found this to be seriously impressive. It adds a thick, glassy layer to the nails that really resembles gel and locks in the polish underneath.
Shop Chanel nail polishes:
This makes a regular mani last for ages.
Chanel Ballerina is the perfect "naked nail" colour for my skin tone.
So pretty when used for a colourful French manicure.
3. CND
CND is one of my favourite gel-polish brands, and it also has a range of at-home nail polishes which are equally as good. I discovered the brand's loved-by-nail-technicians top coat back when I used to work for a nail magazine. It encases nails with a protective layer that genuinely locks in your polish for a chip-free finish for a good week. Apply every other day, and you can probably make it last for even longer.
Shop CND nail polishes:
A top coat that makes your manicure exceptionally long-lasting.
This dusty-pink-come-lilac shade is so beautiful on the nails.
Poppy Fields is a classic bright red which also looks great on toes.
4. OPI
Celebrity manicurist Iram Shelton has long influenced me with OPI nail polish, which, in my opinion, has the best range of pink and nude shades going. Bubble Bath, for one, is one of the most-loved, which offers a sheer wash of pink and suits all skin tones. The formulas are seriously long-lasting and glossy, so I always keep a few different shades in my roster.
Shop OPI nail polishes:
Bubble Bath suits everyone.
Who says deep reds are only for autumn and winter? This rich, smouldering crimson feels just as striking in spring, adding a touch of drama to even the lightest look.
Funny Bunny is a milky white favoured by many, including Hailey Bieber for her glazed doughnut nails.
5. Nails Inc.
Nails Inc. has some of my favourite nail finishes for when I want to switch up my usual neutral mani. The Glowing Somewhere nail perfector is my go-to for replicating the chrome powder effect (which only works with gel polish) without the need for the actual powder. It has a milky finish and a subtle iridescence that makes it so pretty. Plus, Nails Inc. polishes have long-wearing formulations, so you can trust they'll last.
Shop Nails Inc. nail polishes:
This sheer pink polish has become one of my favourites for achieving blush nails—it's like cream blusher for your nails.
The Gel Effect range has some beautiful shades—this is one of Nails Inc.'s bestsellers.
6. Hermès
Every beauty lover knows that, as far as luxury nail polishes go, it doesn't get better than Hermès. Offering highly pigmented yet lightweight formulas, Hermès nail polishes excel at delivering long-lasting shine. As far as the brush goes, it's long and slightly rounded at the end, making it that much easier to cover the entire nail in a single swipe with precision. And don't even get us started on the stunning shade range.
Shop Hermès Nail Polishes:
"This is a gorgeous Bordeaux red that's always my go-to in the lead up to autumn," says Who What Wear contributor Denise Primbet.
"I love this muted baby pink for everyday wear. Wear it on its own or as a base for your French manicure, it's a foolproof choice for any occasion," says Denise.
Taupe is the quiet luxury manicure everyone’s wearing right now. The hue is our go-to as it blends soft beige with warm grey, enhancing your nails so that effortlessly chic, no matter your outfit.
7. Essie
"I've always relied on Essie as a way to keep my nails in shape whenever my nail artist was fully booked and I still had places to be. Not only is this brand responsible for producing some quality formulas, but it's also extremely affordable, making it an easy go-to option for those impromptu at-home touch-ups," says Denise.
Take its Couture Gel-Like range, for one. It comes in over 40 shades (from deep reds and baby pinks to vivid blue hues), delivering up to 15 days of high-performance wear.
Shop Essie Nail Polishes:
Whether you're looking for an office-friendly neutral colour or if you're gearing up for a glazed look fit for a special event, you can't go wrong with this effortlessly chic shade of pink.
Whether it's cappuccino, latte or chocolate, brown as an elevated neutral is a trend that's going nowhere. We love this rich tone from Essie that has a shiny, glass-like finish.
"I rarely wear blue nail polish; however, this denim-inspired shade seriously intrigues me. Personally, I'm thinking of doing a polka-dot look (inspired by none other than Hailey Bieber, ofc)," says Denise.
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products over the years—spanning skincare, makeup, hair and nails—and work closely with trusted experts including dermatologists, makeup artists and leading industry insiders to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
