I'm a Beauty Editor—Here's How I Save Money on Nail Appointments

For her clients who want polish, Fenwick often starts with this base coat. It's formulated with biotin and vitamin E to strengthen and reinforce nails.

I recently had a nail-related panic, and this polish saved me. I needed to film content but I wasn't at home and my nails were looking anything but camera-ready. I ran into Boots and picked this up for under a fiver, and was super impressed with the results. It stayed put for about five days, and I think it would have been longer if I'd also used a top coat. Midnight Red is going to be my go-to shade for autumn.

I don't know about you, but I think I've seen enough hot pink to last me a lifetime. I'll be getting my pink fix with more muted tones now, like this shade. 

"I recently quit gel nails after developing an allergy, and I've since been on the search for the best long-lasting polishes that remain chip-free despite my heavy-handedness," says Who What Wear UK beauty editor Eleanor Vousden. "Chanel's Le Vernis nail polishes have become a firm favourite of mine. I often reach for the shade Ballerina; a healthy wash of sheer pink."

"I always finish with Le Gel Coat, which leaves a plump, glossy layer that not only locks in the polish for days, but actually feels similar to gel polish," says Vousden.

I've honestly lost count of how many Essie nail polishes I have. I reach for Matter of Fiction when I want a fresh and clean finish.

Designed to be paired with Gel Couture polishes, this top coat isn't only great at preventing chipping; it gives a gorgeous, glossy shine that could rival a salon mani.

"I made it my new year's resolution to start doing my own nails at home," says Who What Wear UK junior beauty editor, Grace Lindsay. "Although I have broken this resolution a couple of times, so far I've done pretty well. To make doing my own nails more appealing, I treated myself to some luxury nail polishes, including two from Dior. The Dior Vernis polishes are long-wearing and have a shiny, gel-like finish. I love Red Smile, which is a bright, vibrant red."

"I also love shade Muguet—a soft, milky pink," she says.

The shade I'm currently wearing. Not only does it stay put, but the strengthening formula is great if repeated gel application has made your nails feel a little weak. 

Purple shades are a worthy investment as they look fab all year round. 

The Sally Hansen Miracle Gel duo makes your nails feel stronger and healthier whilst delivering a long-lasting, highly pigmented, gel-looking finish. Off the back of "latte makeup", I'm fully expecting coffee-toned shades to be everywhere this autumn/ winter, so I'll be giving Totem-Ly Yours a go.

One of the best in the game. Once you've applied two coats of Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Polish, go in with this top coat to lock in the colour. I got 10 days from my at-home mani with minimal chipping, which I think is really impressive.

An industry-favourite long-lasting nail polish, this formula is infused with vitamin E, keratin and jojoba oil to help strengthen the nails with each wear. It's another great option if you're taking a break from gels.

There's just something about a sharp, black mani on short nails, which is why I'm adding this shade to my collection.

Freelance beauty journalist Tori Crowther, who counts nail artistry as her side hustle, is a big fan of this polish brand created by the founder of The Gel Bottle. "Peacci polishes last an impressively long time. Apply in thin layers, leaving plenty of time to dry in between," she advises. 

"Finish with the top coat and it'll remain chip-free until you're ready to switch up the shade (of which there are plenty to choose from)," says Crowther. 

For at-home french tips that last, I'd recommend this hard-working formula.

Blueberry-milk nails have been blowing up our social feeds thanks to the likes of Dua Lipa, Sofia Richie Grainge and Sabrina Carpenter. Here's the exact shade I used to create the trending mani from home.

Every Palette London polish contains what the brand has coined as The Super 3—a combination of arginine to prevent nail damage, tea tree oil for its antioxidant and antiseptic properties, and nurturing vitamin E. The colour is glossy, long-lasting and comes in a range of stunning colours, with Sherbet Lemon being a personal favourite. Also note the very reasonable price tag.

Okay, I'm obsessed with Palette's Holographic Top Coat. It adds an element of fun to any colour, as well as looking just as good on its own.