Is Opi Nail Polish Good

I've basically been doing my own manicures since I popped out of the womb, which ways I've tested just about every nail shine formula that's crossed my path. And recently I embarked on a self-assigned mission to detect the longest-lasting formula out there. Here's how my experiment went: I chose 10 of the nearly popular nail polish brands on the market place, painted each of my nails with a different one, keeping the elevation and base of operations coats the same for consistency. Hither's how each of the polishes measured up — exist sure to keep our results in mind for your next at-home mani-pedi session.

Deborah Lippmann

Deborah Lippmann La Vie En Rose, $18, available here: I had to layer on 3 coats of this shade to get it to my desired level of opacity — which isn't a longevity problem at all, but information technology's worth mentioning still. I had to await an extra-long fourth dimension for it to dry out, but it was worth it: This polish lasted an entire nine days without a unmarried chip. It did have a few indents where I'd clearly gone as well thick on the polish and had dinged it before it stale all the way, nevertheless.

Sally Hansen

Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Blast Polish in Totem-ly Yours, $7.99, bachelor here:This is the only polish I tested that's marketed as a "gel-effect" formula. And information technology was as impressive every bit the Deborah Lippmann 1, lasting for more than a week without chipping – ix days to be exact.

Smith & Cult

Smith & Cult Feathers and Flesh, $18, available here: Smith & Cult is known for its on-trend shade options (and Instagrammable packaging), only neither of those attributes necessarily translate to a long-lasting manicure. However, not only did this shine concluding through plenty of pond, dish-washing and bundle-opening; it besides maintained the sleeky polish that ordinarily wears away later a 24-hour interval or two. On twenty-four hours nine, the merely noticeable wear was a bit of lifting right at the edge of the nail.

OPI

OPI Pale to the Chief, $six.70, available hither: This neutral shade from OPI'southward Kerry Washington collection (new for fall) chipped later on a calendar week — it was a tiny, heartbreaking flake on the very tip of my pointer fingernail (probably acquired past frantic typing). Luckily, information technology was also the kind of chip that can be easily patched with a tiny dot of polish, which I would accept done if non for this experiment. Oddly plenty, the chipping didn't become any worse later that. Ordinarily I'd await the whole nail to start flaking off, just the rest of the smooth stayed put, making the chip barely noticeable.

Nails Inc

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Nails Inc in Cornwall Gardens, $14, available here: This pale purple hue was by far the longest-lasting polish — which surprised me, I'll admit. I've always been a fan of U.G.-based brand Nails Inc for its trendy hues, but I couldn't have guessed that it would stay in meridian shape for longer than any of the other polishes. Apparently matcha is a miracle worker, even for your nails. Who knew?

Jin Soon

Jin Soon Smash Polish in Prim, $xviii, available here: Manicurist Jin Shortly Choi's nail smoothen line is one of my favorites because I can always rely on it to last a full week. For this experiment I chose Prim, a beige-tinged white shade that chipped up near the tip of my pollex on solar day vii.

Chanel

Chanel in Canotier, $28, available hither:Chanel has a bit of a reputation within the boom junkie community for non being very long-lasting. But, come on, it's Chanel. I used a metallic shade, which was still going strong on solar day half dozen. And then everything unraveled: fries appeared in iii spots all at once. But something this formula has going for it is that the shade didn't fade at all; the golden was however as metallic and gleam-y as it had been on mean solar day one — well, what was left of it was, anyhow.

Zoya

Zoya in Sally, $10, available here: Zoya's formula is v-free, meaning it doesn't comprise some of the chemicals used in other brands. That'southward great, only it also means the polishes tin can be a little temperamental when it comes to truly lasting. I painted this ane on my center finger, and information technology was the first to recede from the edges a bit, which I suspect is due to the fact that it's my longest finger and is subject to the most contact solar day-to-day. Otherwise, it made it to day nine sans chips, but it lifted just a bit at the cuticle.

Essie

Essie in Cocktails & Coconuts, $8.50, available here:This was the get-go in the bunch to chip. I painted it on my ring finger, and wound up with a small scrap at the tip just four days in. By day 8, there were multiple chips around the edges of the finger. Not ideal.

Butter London

Butter London blast smooth in Toff, $15, bachelor here: This was definitely the darkest shade that I chose of the entire bunch, only it's such a Butter London classic that I always tend to gravitate toward it. Information technology started receding at the tip four days in, and and so got a tiny scrap just at the tip 6 days in. Merely by day nine, it hadn't gotten whatsoever worse than that – and the sheen of that dark, rose shade was still there.

The winner:

Nails Inc was the true champion here, having survived the unabridged examination chip-costless, with Emerge Hansen and Smith & Cult shut behind. The moral of the story, if y'all want a long-lasting manicure? Use a adept base- and topcoat, paint on super-thin layers and e'er be sure to let each glaze dry out thoroughly. And don't e'er assume that the most expensive boom shine is one one with the well-nigh staying ability.