Nails can either lift you up or seriously drag you down, right?  When your polish is giving that perfect shine, it really feels like nothing can stop you in your stride, yet when it’s chipped, weak, and drying out your nails—talk about a mood funk. 

If the latter sounds a little too familiar, it might be time to throw in the towel and start all over. Good riddance nasty nails! 

Here at We Are Eves, we’re on a mission to banish bad polish with our collection of 100% honest user reviews and experiences. Yuppp, your nail needs comes first with us—meaning we’re only gonna highlight the very best nail polish brands that you can really trust (according to the community)!

From the latest polish trends to the best nail polish for weak nails, our community of Eves have left reviews that cover all bases. We’re here to ensure you can leave the house with a flawless mani and no anxiety—No stress, no chips, just pedi and mani perfection.

So, it’s time to prep your manicure station, pick out some nail inspo pics and book yourself a self-care night with the best nail polish in 2022! Ready, set, glow! —After all, what else beats that fresh nail feeling?

BEST FOR AFFORDABLE NAILS:

BEST FOR TOPCOATS:

BEST FOR COLOUR VARIETY:

BEST FOR DURABLE POLISH:

BEST FOR FAST DRYING NAILS:

BEST FOR HOME GEL NAILS:

BEST FOR NATURAL NAILS:

BEST FOR NUDE NAILS:

BEST FOR VIBRANT COLOURS:

BEST FOR BUILDABLE COVERAGE:

MOOD: High quality without the high price. 

FREQUENTLY MENTIONED: “Very good petrol varnish; wide range of colours available, unbeatable price for very good quality, and nails last long enough!”- @Frzeti 

No one wants to spend a fortune on a bottle of polish, and with this Essence selection, you don’t have to! Now you can change up your style whenever YOU want—minus the guilty splurging. This Essence Shine Last & Go has an overall 4.1 star rating from 54 independent reviewers. Users claimed to love the “great price-quality” and the “beautiful pigment”. Ideal if you’re ready for a new shade without committing to the hefty price tag. However, watch out - this polish can “become a little sticky”. Have your polish remover on hand for emergencies!

MOOD: Finish what you start 

FREQUENTLY MENTIONED: “I totally recommend Essie always. Such a great brand. I used to do my own gel nails at home, and this product does what it promises. A top coat which gives a protective layer and it is shiny. Looks nice with or without other nail polish under it. My nail polish (even the gel) used to chip all the time, but it stays longer with this one.” - @shahbana.khan

There are no two ways about it. Top coat is as crucial as your base nail polish! Buuut you can’t use any old top coat. It’s time to throw your flaky polishes in the bin—the Essie Gel Couture Top Coat - Nagellak is here to provide protection and a “really good gel look”. 16 Eves rated this on average 4.6 stars, and some reviewers have even stated it’s the “best nail polish top coat ever!” Looking for protection? This polish is a great nail polish for weak nails too, just layer up to keep nails extra protected! Don’t be too hasty, though! A couple of users found the polish “takes quite a long time” to dry. 

MOOD: Let’s stay home and mani 

FREQUENTLY MENTIONED: “Very fine nail polish! Use Pink Gellac to put on your own gel nails for a while or with other people. Very nice coverage and they have a lot of colours. They regularly have offers on the website.” - @nikita.hamstra

Ever found a polish formula that works for you, but the brand only offers one or two colours?—One of the worst feelings ever. Period. Pink Gellac - Gel Nagellak is here to change that completely! Now the best nail polish colours are more accessible than ever. Eves rated this polish 4.4 stars on average out of 23 independent user experiences. Reviewers particularly loved the “huge colour choice” and “good pigmentation”—perfect for Eves who believe variety is the spice of life! However, consider testing the polish on one nail first, some Eves have experienced “discolouration”. 

MOOD: Apply and enjoy for weeks, and weeks, and weeks. 

FREQUENTLY MENTIONED: “Super fine nail polish, first two coats of colour after choice. Then the topcoat. The nail polish dries quickly and stays nice for a long time. I mainly use it for my toes. Stays nice for weeks, perfect for the holidays. Even at the sea with the sand, it stays well on it. Top product!” - @ali-wij

Polish that chips instantly? We’re not about this life—and you shouldn’t be either! The Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Top Coat 2.0 - Gel Nagellak is here to protect your nails for around-the-clock perfection. Need nails that will last through beach days into cocktail nights and brunch the morning after?—This is the polish for you. 12 independent Eves have rated this polish 4.6 stars, mentioning the “polish really lasts noticeably longer”. Note this down if you’re sick of chips popping up overnight! But be careful, this polish has a “wide brush”, which doesn’t suit all nail beds. 

MOOD: Dry in the blink of an eye.

FREQUENTLY MENTIONED: “My nails dry up really badly. Until I found out about this stuff. Works great, and you have dry nails quickly. You apply it after applying your nail polish to your nails. Then drip this over it, and you will have beautiful nails and can quickly get back to your fast life.” - @marieke142001

Patience is a virtue, but does anyone actually enjoy waiting for nail varnish to dry?? No one has time to sit and blow at their nails for hours. Luckily, Essence Express Dry Drops is here to help. This polish works as a top coat for “remarkably faster” drying, and it protects “hands and nails with almond oil”. Scoring a healthy score of 4.5 from the community, this product proves to be undoubtedly a hit. Less time spent waiting = more time living life without fears of smudges! However, some users have experienced a “greasy layer” during application - so it seems less is more when you start applying!

MOOD: Salon quality minus salon expenses

FREQUENTLY MENTIONED: “For Christmas, I had a nice gel nail set from Pink gellac. Great fun doing a home nail time. It is very convenient to use when you master the skill yourself. In opposition, they also give instructions which makes it easy at first. Very nice colours on the pricey side. It's certainly an investment but certainly handy. That gel polish stays with me for 1 to 2 weeks.” - @chaandennichotoe

Nailing the art of gels can be tricky. However, there’s something about a smooth, gel finish that’s extra satisfying—especially if you can recreate salon quality at home! Pink Gellac 166 Vintage Nude Gel Nagellak is here to save you time and money between salon visits. Eves love this brand for “gel polish at home”, plus the “gel stays on the nails for a long time”. Ideal for Eves who want to take nail care into their own hands! Perfect results from your couch mean no more last-minute nail appointments here! We can see why 30 users rated this polish on average 4.2 stars. New to gel? Go slow! Some Eves have noted this polish can, “take some practice”.

MOOD: Low key lavish 

FREQUENTLY MENTIONED: “I recently purchased the Dior nail glow. This nail polish gives a subtle effect; my nails look well-groomed. Even after a few days, my nails still look good. The only downside is that it is rather pricey for the light effect it gives. For the rest, I'm a fan!” - @Lxvb03

Love the look of naked nails, but don’t want to bare it all?—We get it. Sometimes our nails need a lil help to look low-key lavish—this is where the Dior Nail Glow 10ml polish comes in. This product has an average 4.5 star rating from 12 independent users, with reviewers loving the “natural-looking, well-groomed” manicured finish. Sometimes, bright colours just aren’t on the menu! Remember, the best nail polish colours don’t have to be faux… Watch out, savvy spenders. A few Eves have found this Dior option “quite pricey for a simple nail polish”. Consider your budget before taking the plunge.

MOOD: Nude tones for all occasions…

FREQUENTLY MENTIONED: “How great is this nail polish! I think it's a great colour and I can't get enough of it! I like nude colours more at the moment, and that's why I wanted to give them a try. It is super handy, dries quickly and stays on the nails for at least a few days! So ideal!!” - @fleurverhelst

Let’s face it. When it comes to versatility, nude nails are ALWAYS a winner. Whether you want soft pink or smokey taupe, a nude hue is your BFF for life. If you’re looking to restock your nude collection, consider the Essence 9195620001 Nagellak polishtaupe—a WAE community fave scoring a 4.5 star average rating out of a total of 11 independent reviewers. Eves are loving the “super nice colour”, and some users find it “matches [their] skin well”. Want to take this everyday nude polish to the next level? Our reviewers suggest applying a transparent top coat for “a nice shine”.

MOOD: Paint to impress 

FREQUENTLY MENTIONED: “Love love love this nail polish. Lasts weeks and doesn’t seem to chip. Very vibrant in colour” - @michellelmercer1979

When it comes to bright-coloured polishes, it’s all about going big or going home. Who wants a lack-lustre hue on their nails??—Not us! The Rimmel London 60 Seconds Supershine Nailpolish range is here to brighten up your life with strong shades and a vibrant look. 11 Eves have tried this pick and rated it an average of 4.6 stars. Reviewers are praising the product’s “highly pigmented formula”, and some Eves mention they have received “a lot of compliments whilst wearing it”. The best nail polish colours are closer than ever with this brand! We paint to impress around here! In a rush? Note that some users have found this product “really hard to get off” - don’t start removing it the night before work!

MOOD: Nails day, your way

FREQUENTLY MENTIONED: “Easy to apply thanks to the practical brush. No streaks. A layer covers enough, so you won't see a possible chip or small foliage due to the colour. 2 layers cover completely. For this price, it stays good for 2 days... with a lot of changing colours, that's okay.” - @Yildiz2774

Looking for a thick, opaque varnish? Or would you rather opt for a translucent, dainty shade? With this polish, you can add as much or as little coverage as you need!—Yes, please! Calling all Eves with flexible styles. The Essence Shine Last & Go range is here to provide adaptable coverage for all nail needs. 37 reviewers rated this product, scoring it overall 3.9 stars. In particular, Eves loved the “good coverage” after one layer, but you don’t have to stop there! Alongside quality coverage from minimal layers, some users have noticed a “pleasant smell” and a “very opaque” finish. For the best results? Some Eves suggest using it “in combination with another brand” for a better hold.  

Banish nail fatigue with our Eves’ best nail polish of 2022 selections.

Taking time for yourself just got sweeter. By painting your nails with the perfect polish, you can wind down and relax, after all, there’s nothing more wholesome than treating yourself to a high-quality, at-home mani. 

So, which of the best nail polish brands will you embrace? Whether you want your nails to POP or to add some elevated elegance to your style, there’s a polish on the market that’ll complete your collection. 

Don’t forget! WAE is all about conscious consumption, minus the faff or fuss. Our reviews are completely real and 100% honest to ensure you buy only what’s adored by your virtual beauty gang —because, who has time to shop around and return in 2022, anyways? We hope the best nail polish of 2022 blog has inspired you - if it has, let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Always looking for the next big thing?—We’ve got ya. Elevate your self-care routine with more WAE nail polish reviews below. OR skip to the best of body care 2021 picks - you won’t be disappointed!

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