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Including tried-and-true and buzzy lacquer picks.

When on the hunt for your next at-home manicure shade, or picking out a color at your local salon, keeping a short list of the best nail polish brands at the ready definitely comes in handy. While it can be tempting to just use whatever you find in your dopp bag first, we believe that certain polishes feature quality hues and formulas that truly stand out from the pack. From best-selling, cult-favorite staples like Essie, OPI, and Sally Hansen to new cult-favorite picks like Paintbox and Olive and June, these beauty picks rarely disappoint. Whether you prefer quick-dry or chip resistant polish, we've rounded up a few editor and beauty enthusiast favorites we love using again and again. Read on for some of the best nail polish brands we're giving gold stars.

A nail care icon and fashion week legend, Jin Soon Choi started her beloved 10-free nail line in 2012. JINsoon is inspired by Choi's industry experience working on photo shoots and editorial campaigns, plus her years of knowledge working as a salon and spa owner.

You'll find a bevy of seasonal options from Olive & June to round out your polish collection with, including this denim-inspired shade that features a long-lasting, gel-like finish.

As a trusted nail expert for red carpets and editorial shoots, Deborah Lippmann knows a thing or two about nail care, which makes her line one of the very best. We're big fans of Lippmann's Gel Lab Pro polishes in particular, which are available in 41 different color options.

When it comes to quality and affordability, few brands can compete with Sally Hansen. This vibrant pick from their Miracle Gel collection combines polish color and its top coat for easy, long-lasting application.

Founded by Essie Weingarten in 1981, her namesake brand Essie has been a staple in the beauty industry for over 35 years. It also happens to be a go-to for royals like the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton and Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle.

Another nail staple, UK-based Nails Inc. is a mainstay in both the fashion and beauty worlds, collaborating with popular brands like Victoria Beckham, Diane Von Furstenberg, and Alexa Chung.

The storied fashion house Chanel not only makes some of our favorite closet essentials but also many of the most covetable nail colors as well. Although we're fans of their collection of classic neutrals, we recommend taking a closer look at a few of their bolder colors—like the deep wine Vamp—that are each worth the investment.

For non-toxic polishes with a little something extra, consider J. Hannah's line of popular lacquers. They're ideal for the person who gravitates toward neutrals and Earth tones at the salon, but still wants a polish that's as unique as they are.

We won't blame you if you decide to show off your manicure on Instagram after painting on a few coats of Mischo Beauty's long-lasting polish, which comes in a stylish, sculptural bottle with 15 versatile shades to choose from.

Tenoverten is a female-powered salon and brand with a mission to make nail care more simplified and sustainable. In addition to offering customers professional-ready essentials like sheer to bold polishes, expert tools, and more. And, as a fun twist, many of Tenoverten's nail colors are named after beloved streets in New York, where the brand is originally based.

If you have even one nail polish in your bathroom, there’s a good chance it’s by OPI. A staple in salons and homes since the early '80s, the brand is known for its long-lasting formulas and fashion-forward shades, complete with cheeky names like the rosy “For What It's Earth."

We're fans of just about everything Gucci makes, including their nail collection. Formulated with red algae and tocopherol (a form of vitamin E), the brand's polish is made to smooth out nail ridges and imperfections on its surface and dry quickly without leaving streaks behind.

With a focus on making clean beauty more inclusive, Auda.B’s gel-like nail polishes are developed for a wide range of skin tones, and also happen to be vegan, 10-free, and PETA-certified.

Founder Jacqueline Carrington was inspired to start her brand People of Color in an effort to prioritize melanated skin in the beauty industry. While its polishes are formulated to compliment darker skin tones, the brand's lacquers make excellent options for any beauty lover.

The brand that originated the French manicure (Orly founder Jeff Pink created the very first one in 1975), is still ahead of the curve, offering highly popular breathable options that are designed to nourish nails with ingredients like vitamins B5 and C plus argan oil to help keep them healthy.

Our digital beauty director Jenna Rosenstein counts herself as a fan of Hermès' pigmented collection of polishes, which she says helps transform the mundane into something a little more opulent. Did we mention each shade features a rounded brush and arrives in the brand's signature orange box?

Vegan and cruelty-free, Pear Nova's nail polishes aim to celebrate a wide range of skin tones while providing clean options that are equally luxurious. The brand most recently partnered with the hit show Claws on a vibrant, limited-edition collection.

A pioneer in toxin-free polish options, Zoya Reyzis created her 10-free line for a healthier alternative during pregnancy. More than three decades—and several hundred shades—later, her namesake brand is still a favorite in salons, on runways, and beyond.

Smith and Cult's bold nail polish colors are effortlessly stylish, and contain eight-free formulas that are also vegan and chip-resistant. Plus, each bottle includes a sculptural, gilded top that's pretty enough to leave out on your vanity.

NYC-based Paintbox is a go-to salon for editors and beauty influencers alike, and best known for their curated offerings of unique nail designs. Customers can bring the salon experience home with the brand's popular single and power couple shades that make it simple to change up your manicure or pedicure look.

Known for combining salon-quality formulas with a mission of self-care, the 10-free polishes from culty NYC nail brand Sundays consistently deliver a high shine and vibrant color payoff worthy of any beauty wardrobe.

Fashion designer Christian Louboutin was inspired by a red shade of nail polish when he first created his signature red soles. Now, the designer’s elevated nail lacquer collection features bottles that are aptly inspired by the shape of a stiletto, containing a pointed brush that makes it easier to apply its polish.