Looking for the best gel nail polish for your budget? Our top picks will take your nails from drab to fab.

The holidays may be coming to a close, but for many of us, nail polish is still top of mind. Between gift buying, baking, planning parties, and holiday parties, you might be wearing nail polish a lot more often than you’d like to admit. Thankfully, gel polish is back in a big way.

It’s a polish you can use for day-to-day wear, just like your regular polish. But with the convenience of a gel formula, you won’t need to reapply as often. You won’t need to have someone else do your nails for you, either. The application process is easy, and the payoff is great.

But if you’re like me and you have little experience with gel polish, you might not know where to start. There are so many different brands, formulas, and finishes to choose from.

I’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find 10 of my favorite brands of gel nail polish. While these are a few of my personal favorite brands, I also threw in some more affordable picks that can be a great fit for any budget.

I’ve tried a lot of different brands over the past year, and I’ve found a few of my favorites. With so many to choose from, it can be hard to know what’s best for you. That’s why I’ve narrowed it down to these 10, and I’ve included some affordable picks at the end for those on a budget.

1. Zoya

I’m a huge fan of Zoya. I think they have some of the best formulas in the nail polish industry, and their polishes are one of the few brands that you don’t need to have someone else do your nails. They’re also one of the more affordable gel nail polish brands.

If you haven’t tried them yet, you should. But if you have, I bet you’ll agree that they’re still some of the best out there. In fact, I keep returning to them over and over again, because the formulas are so great.

Zoya makes six gel nail polish shades, which include a wide variety of colors and finishes. You’ll find the shades on the Zoya website, which you can click here.

2. Essie

Essie is another brand that I think is one of the most underrated in the industry. They’ve created some amazing formulas over the years, and I’ve been wearing Essie for years. They have a lot of affordable shades for under $5, too.

3. OPI

One of the top names in gel nail polish, OPI has a whole slew of shades you can choose from. And because they’re OPI, they’re sure to be some of the most durable polishes on the market.

In fact, OPI has been around since 1948, so it’s definitely worth it to go for the brand that has been around for such a long time.

4. Urban Decay

If you’re looking for some nail polish that will give you the wow factor, then Urban Decay is the brand for you. They offer a lot of unique colors, and their polishes come in all sorts of finishes.

Urban Decay nail polish is a brand you’ll want to go for if you want something different. And because they’re not a mainstream brand, you won’t see them in just any store you go to. They’re not in Walmart or Rite Aid.

5. Nails Inc.

Nails Inc. is a more budget-friendly option if you’re looking for a more affordable brand of gel nail polish. They’ve been around for a long time, but they’ve recently made a name for themselves with some of the most unique and gorgeous colors.

They have a variety of finishes, from glitter to matte to holographic, too. The colors and styles available from Nails Inc. are incredible. But don’t worry — you don’t have to pay a lot for the quality.

You can find their polishes on their website, and they’re available in a wide range of shades. Some of my personal favorites include:

Tropical

Shades of Pink

Tough As Nails

Sugar

Mermaid

You can get a bottle of Nails Inc. for around $15, depending on the shade. You can also get a bottle of Gelish for less than that.

6. Giorgio Armani

If you’re looking for a classic style, I think you’ll enjoy the designs of Giorgio Armani nail polish. They offer a wide variety of nail designs, including geometric, flake, and a few others.

The best part is, you’ll find a wide range of shades to choose from. If you’re looking for a more affordable brand, I’d suggest giving Giorgio Armani a try. You can find them on their website, here.

7. Illamasqua

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly brand with unique and classic designs, you’ll love Illamasqua. They’ve been around for a long time, and they’ve created some incredibly pretty nail polishes.

They offer a wide range of colors, but if you’re on a tight budget, their classic polishes are always worth a shot.

8. China Glaze

If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly brand with a wide range of colors, China Glaze is the brand for you. They’ve been around since 1990, and they have so many different shades of nail polish you’re sure to find something you like.

I know this might sound a bit confusing, but China Glaze has a wide variety of finishes. They include everything from glitter to matte to holographic. You’ll find a wide range of colors from China Glaze.

Their colors start at around $4.50, so they’re definitely worth the investment if you want to try some of their polishes.

9. Color Club

Color Club is one of the more affordable gel nail polish brands. I’ve tried so many of their polishes, and I still haven’t tried them all. They’re always so pretty and different, and they’re perfect for a girl that doesn’t mind paying a little extra for a little sparkle.

I love them for fall, but their shades work year-round. They have some classic colors for any style, and they’re also available in a wide range of finishes.

If you’re looking for a little extra shine in your life, Color Club will work perfectly. Their polishes start at about $8, depending on the shade, and you can always save money by going for the matte or holographic finishes.

10. Sally Hansen

I know this one might be a bit of a surprise, but Sally Hansen has been making gel polish for years. It just goes to show that the brand has been around for decades and is still here.

They have a wide range of shades and finishes, including some that are exclusive to Sally Hansen.

The formulas are the best out there, and they’re pretty budget-friendly, too. I’m still amazed that Sally Hansen has been around for so long, and they’re still so great.

I’ve been wearing their polishes for years, and I’ve only recently started to find more brands to try. Sally Hansen nail polish has some great affordable shades that are worth trying.

These were a few of my favorites.

I hope you found these reviews helpful. I really want to hear from you. Do you have any suggestions for me? Any favorite brands I didn’t mention? I’m always looking for new brands to try. Let me know!