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Nail any look at home.
Byrdie / Amelia Manley
The tried-and-true formula goes on super smooth, dries in a flash, and lasts a full week.
Treating yourself to a spa manicure is great once in a while.
But if you’re anything like us, you fall back onDIY mani-pedismore often than not.
PHOTO: Ulta Beauty
Taking your time and carefully gliding yourfavorite colorover your nail beds can be a relaxing activity.
It can also save you a chunk of changeespecially if you reach for a wallet-friendly polish from the drugstore.
We also took into consideration how long a polish lasts, and whether or not it chips easily.
With expert recommendations from a nail technician and artist, we considered dozens of formulas.
Insight from Byrdie editors and our knowledge of fan favorites helped us land on these best in show.
Ahead, find the best drugstore nail polishes for freshening up your digits.
PHOTO: Walmart
The OG brand’s classic formula goes on smooth,dries fast, and lasts a solid week.
This lacquer is so good, it’s one of the few drugstore brands widely used at nail salons.
Not only that, but it comes in every color under the sun.
PHOTO: Amazon
Best Budget
L.A. “It’s a longer-lasting version of their normal lacquer.”
This multitasking product goes on smooth, delivers a glossy shine, and lasts up to a week.
The unique shade range is something to admire too.
PHOTO: Sally Beauty
The translucent shade selection ranges from soft peach and pinky nude to pearlescent white and even a semi-transparentblue.
What’s more, the reliable formula resists chipping for a full week.
The glitzy color selection includes options with super-fine shimmery pigments and large reflective particles.
PHOTO: Amazon
They’re great on their own or as a glammed-up top coat over opaque nail polish.
If you love the day-glow look, pick up a bottle of Nails Inc. polish.
The collection includes supersonic yellow, hot orange, and a brighter, bolder Barbie pink.
PHOTO: Amazon
This lacquer goes on smooth and requires minimal strokes, thanks to the wide brush and highly pigmented formula.
This bio-sourced vegan nail polish contains 85 percent naturally derived ingredients.
The strengthening, chip-resistant formula is available in nearly 70 shades.
PHOTO: Bed Bath & Beyond
Standout colors include avocado green, creamy periwinkle, mustard yellow, and almost-white pastel pink.
The Elite Collection is totally vegan and PETA-certified as cruelty-free.
Not only that, but the chip-resistant formula is free of acetone, formaldehyde, parabens, and sulfates.
PHOTO: Amazon
We also appreciate that this all-in-one formula triples as a base coat, lacquer, and top coat.
What’s more, the 600-bristle brush makes it easy to apply with fewer strokes.
You don’t even need a UV lamp to cure the lacquer.
PHOTO: Walmart
Just swipe on a layer of theGel Couture Top Coatand you’re good to go.
Best of all, it comes off like regular nail polishno scraping or soaking needed.
Red is a classic nail polish color, and there are dozens of ways to wear it.
PHOTO: Walmart
AFrench manicureis a classic, elegant nail polish choice that is always in season.
It’s easier than you may think to DIY, too.
Just follow the simple steps, and do your best to adhere to them all.
PHOTO: Sally Beauty
Particularly important ones include buffing your nails and using a pink shade prior to your top coat.
She interviewed two experts for this story, including a nail artist and a cosmetologist specializing in nail care.
As a religious nail-painter, she’s tried nearly every brand on this list.
PHOTO: Ulta
Her go-tos include OPI, Essie, Sally Hansen, Nails Inc., and Revlon.
PHOTO: Amazon
PHOTO: Ulta Beauty
PHOTO: Amazon
PHOTO: JcPenny
