I’ll admit I’m not the best at-home manicurist, but there’s no question that having the right polish makes the job 10x easier for us amateurs. We polled our beauty council of experts to find out their tried-and-true polish picks, and many of these do triple duty by strengthening, conditioning, and adding the perfect no-chip shade of color. Keep scrolling for the nail polishes you’re going to want to add to your shopping list, and we’d love to hear in the comments which formula gets your vote!
featured image via a beautiful mess
This nail polish line is all about strengthening and caring for nails. I recently wore Adored (the perfect pinky-nude) for two whole weeks without a single chip, and my nails have never been longer or stronger.
-Dawn Spinner Davis, Beauty Director at Total Beauty
butter London in Horsepower / Jessica in Creamy Caramel / Essie in Sand Tropez
I have a few favorites. For a strengthening clear coat I like this Butter polish, and for more color I like either one of these shades from Jessica or Essie.
–@jennikayne, Designer
It’s an iconic opaque nude.
–@katiejanehughes, Makeup Artist
Their polish is gorgeous, cruelty-free, and nontoxic.
-Lauren Caruso, Beauty Director at Style Caster
Seche in Effortlessly Styled
It’s the color I wore on my wedding day.
–Nikki Chanel, Naturally Curly
RMS in Beloved
This toxin-free polish is incredibly shiny, durable and long-lasting—and this red with hints of pink and coral is the perfect year-round shade.
–@tararasmus, Beauty Editor & Author of Camille Styles Decoder Series
OPI in Alpine Snow
Right now I’m into mid-range pinks that have coral undertones but I also feel like you can’t go wrong with a classic white in the Spring and Summer.
-Jen Pinkston, The Effortless Chic
tenoverten in Fulton
It is the perfect neutral to wear year round.
-Nadine Abramcyk, Co-founder of @tenoverten
Essie in Fiji
This nail polish is my go-to in the summer. It’s super opaque for such a light shade – which means I save time only having to do one coat – and makes everyone who wears it look significantly tanner.
–@carmcollins, Production Assistant