As any true fashion enthusiast knows, striking a high-low balance is the best way to look fab without bleeding your bank account. There’s something so cool about pairing a Zara splurge with a Urbanic sale item. And the same goes for our manicure routine. While treating yourself to a spa manicure is great once in a while, truthfully, we fall back on DIY mani-pedis more often than not. You’d be surprised how much a DIY mani can do to your bank account – especially if you reach for a budget-friendly polish from the drugstore.
If you’ve ever painted your nails, you’ll know that not all nail polishes are created equal: Some take hours to dry, some streak, others chip the same day. You could easily spend years looking for a formula you love – so to help you wade through the abundance of options, we rounded up the choicest bottles with affordable price tags. From different finishes and longest-lasting formulas to must-have hues, scroll on for the best drugstore polishes to freshen up your digits.
7 Best Drugstore Polishes That’ll Rule Your Mood Board This Season
The Standout Formula
Gel manicures at a salon can be time-consuming and expensive – not to mention they can be rough on your nails. The good thing is that Manish Malhotra’s Gel Nail Polish gives you the benefits of gel polish at home – aka a mani that lasts a solid two weeks – sans UV lamps and the need to scrape them off.
For A’Gram-Worthy Mani
Want to DIY a masterpiece manicure, look no further than the POPxo Chillin’ nail kit. It is loaded with hot hues, timeless red, pop and glamorous shimmer shades. The formulas are spiked with good-for-nails ingredients that will keep your nails shiny and soft while helping you make a head-turning statement.
A Spot-On Classic
Step into any salon today, and you’ll most likely find a selection of Colorbar Nail Lacquers. It goes on super shiny, dries fast, lasts over a week, and comes in every colour your heart could ever desire. It’s no wonder why professional manicurists swear by it. There are a total of 76 eye-catching hues to choose from.
For Effortlessly Fierce Nails
Every nail polish lover needs a classic red in their colour wardrobe. Water Melon by Faces Canada imparts a bright true-red shade in a super-shiny finish that looks flattering on all skin tones. It’s the perfect hue to wear during the festivities. Bonus: longer wear and more shine for a manicure that lasts and lasts.
So Strikingly Chic!
This purse-friendly nail paint has an impressively robust brush that will cover your entire nail bed with a coat of lacquer in a single swipe. For only a couple of bucks, you can treat yourself to a show-stopping DIY manicure that lasts for up to ten days—now that’s what we call self-care. Plus, it delivers a gel-like finish without a drying lamp.
For A Glass-Like Sheen
We love Chambor Gel Effect Nail Lacquer since they are formulated for longer wear and have a gel-like finish without the commitment. Brown nail polishes are a go-to during the fall and winter, but you can rock the sophisticated hues all year-round. It’s so versatile and goes with everything – just saying.
If You’re As Ga-Ga Over Metallics As We Are
This is the ultimate set-it-forget-it polish by Kay Beauty that will stay until you’re ready for a colour swap. No more chipping after your first post-polish shower. There are a number of on-trend hues available and we’re now fully obsessed! Gonna be wearing it all throughout the season.
Is it too much to buy all of these? I say No!
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