Rating of the TOP 9 best gel varnishes of 2020: durability, which one to buy, comparison with analogues

The popularity of gel polish is at its peak today and all because the material has many positive qualities: a variety of textures and colors, a high degree of stability, and so on. Dentist Stuart Nordstrom invented the product in 1979 and named his company CND, and the first varnish was Solar Nail, and later shellac. This is where the double name of the material came from.

Today, the availability of shellac allows you to do manicure not only in salons, but also at home. A huge assortment of brands, colors and textures is presented on store shelves, which sometimes makes it difficult to choose. Therefore, I suggest that you familiarize yourself with the rating of popular gel polishes in 2020.

Rating of TOP 9 gel varnishes of 2020

Polymer varnish helps our pens to always look well-groomed and even sets the mood. In high-quality products, the color does not fade, the coating does not chip and the gel is applied evenly, without spreading. The following brands popular in 2020 will participate in the rating:

Bluesky classic

Another representative of the budget line. The company was founded in 2006 in China and supplies a large color palette of gel varnishes to the Russian market. They fit well, there are many bright options (about 300 shades). But some ingredients can cause allergies. This manufacturer is not used in salons. After application, it lasts for about two weeks. The brush is not very convenient to use, and such gel polish is not easy to remove.

Before trying Bluesky gel polish, I tested other brands. In comparison with them, I can confidently say that this varnish is not suitable for beginners. Yes, he has many shades and colors, but others have a lot of them. The gel has many disadvantages: the brushes are inconvenient to work and have an uneven cut, which makes it difficult to accurately lay out the edge, the pigmentation is weak, the density of some colors is weak. I do not advise taking tops from Bluesky without a sticky layer. The gloss is so-so.

TNL Professional Classic

Budget gel polish, which is produced in South Korea and Russia. In salons, it is extremely rarely used by craftsmen, since it has an average quality and a low price. The palette of colors is large, but not all of them are painted over with high quality. The brush is medium in length and quite wide, but specimens with an uneven cut are found. Suitable for home use at an early stage, as economical consumption and low price.

For several years I bought only this brand of gel polish, as it is inexpensive and lasts a long time. There is a large selection in stores. In terms of quality, I would put a solid 4, since some specimens strip. And once I came across a bottle with a defective brush and a lump of pigment in half the volume.

CND Shellac

The American brand CND Shellac opened the world to shellac or gel polish. The products are constantly being improved and have the “7 Free” formula, that is, they exclude components dangerous to human life and health. Therefore, the material can be used for allergy sufferers. The consistency of the gel is medium, that is, it does not spread, but also not thick.Therefore, it is not self-leveling. Shellac must be evenly spread with a brush. Stay for 2 to 4 weeks, subject to application technology. Does not emit unpleasant odors.

I have been buying and using CND gel polish for five years now. I liked one for its stonework, variety of colors and translucent effect. At first, I got used to its consistency. It is liquid and you need to squeeze the brush hard so that there are no smudges. Dries quickly in powerful ice lamps. I think it will not be suitable for lovers of dense colors, since the shellac is translucent.

ADRICOCO Gel Polish

The young Russian brand ADRICOCO from the budget segment has proven itself quite well. Has a bright and versatile palette. The texture is dense and does not form stripes or unpainted islands when applied. But some manicurists complain about the quality of the material and its poor wear. Some shades are enough to put in two layers, while others require as much as 4.

I am a beginner manicurist and accept clients at home. The budget is limited and I decided to buy ADRICOCO in addition to my gel polishes, as I liked the colorful advertisement. Took shades 42, 55, 72 and 89. In the end, they all went to the trash can. Some had to be applied in 4 layers, others did not dry well in a lamp. With number 42 (delicate rose), 4 clients at once complained about complete color peeling after a week.

Masura Magnetic Pearl

Masura was founded in 2002. The brand is known to many nail service masters. The concentration of the gel polish is thick and has excellent pigmentation. The Magnetic Pearl series with soft caramel shades and vibrant colors with a mother-of-pearl effect. You can also use magnets to give directionality to the pearlescent line. Gel polish is highly resistant and lasts from 2 to 3 weeks on nails. The brush is short, oval at the cut and wide. It is not always convenient for her to work when applying gel to bends.

I came across magnetic varnishes several times, but Masura interested me in nude shades. I took the color of a dusty rose. It had to be applied in 4 layers, so it is very transparent. The last magnet and polymerized. The main thing is to immediately direct each finger after the magnet into the lamp. You can also wear it without a magnet, but in my opinion such a coating seems simple. I wore it for three weeks, so I can say that the product is of high quality.

KLIO Professional Estet Collection

The young European company KLIO, founded in 2016, produces gel polishes for the nail industry. It has an oily texture that can be quickly and evenly distributed over the nail plate. Therefore covering power in 1 or 2 layers. The pile of the hand is dense and not very wide. It is convenient when applying gel polish to any width of the nail. The product dries quickly in UV and LED lamps, and is also quickly removed if the technology is followed. The composition is safe, does not cause allergies, does not have an unpleasant chemical odor. The palette includes more than 300 shades: nude, shimmery, pastel, warm and cold, dark and light. This allows you to diversify your manicure.

I don't buy the Clio Estet gel polish myself, but I do a manicure with it in the salon. Before that I tried other brands, but I liked this one the most. The colors are rich and do not fade during the whole time of wearing. It can be removed easily and applied in two layers. This is very important as I have a convex plate and thickness matters. For two weeks, not a single chip, cloudiness and cracks.

Kodi Collection

The Ukrainian brand Kodi, founded in 2005, is known to all masters of the nail industry. Available in 8 and 12 ml volumes. Possesses high durability and pigment density. At the same time, the gel is elastic, which reduces the formation of cracks and chips. The composition is safe, but there are still a small number of complaints from allergy sufferers. When polymerized, some varnishes give a slight burning effect. The consistency is neither thick nor liquid. Gives an even gloss without bald spots and streaks. They work better with bases without a sticky layer.

I really like Cody's gel polishes. Before that I tried CND and TNL. This brand has such advantages as: excellent self-leveling and the creation of an almost mirror-like surface, a high degree of color density, so 1-2 layers are enough. The smell is typical and not poisonous. With a top and base, Cody is worn for a month, but it is not easy to remove. Does not conflict with other brands.

In'Garden X-Gel

The American manufacturer of gel varnishes In'Garden, founded in 2007, produces several lines. But X-Gel has become the most popular due to its high degree of safety and durability up to 6 weeks. The degree of pigmentation is very high, and shellac is also a thick product. It self-leveling easily and gives an even finish. That is why it does not require the application of a large number of layers. Despite its durability and density, the gel is easily removable. The X-Gel collection has over 100 shades, including shimmer ones. It has no unpleasant odor and is safe for health.

Just an indestructible gel polish that can be worn for a month or more. I took one color for testing, and then bought a few more bottles. The palette is rich and there is plenty to choose from. When working, it does not give off unpleasant odors, like some varnishes.

Grattol Opal

Shellac is applied in one layer and has a high durability from 4 weeks. During this time, the coating does not chip, crack or fade. Self-leveling concentration eliminates bald spots, smudges and gives nails a mirror-like shine. In this collection, the lacquer contains microglitter (glitter and mica), which creates the feeling of opal shine. The palette consists of 14 shades (light, bright and dark) that can be combined with other colors.

A bombshell gel polish that my clients love.Anyone who has tried it at least once returns to this collection of Grattol Opal all the time. It is easy to use and economical in work, as it is thick, it is applied in one layer and self-leveling. It is worn from a month.

Secrets of long-lasting manicure

An ideal manicure is a high-quality work, that is, without smudges, a coating that is carefully applied to the nail plate, which will last at least 14 days. For this, it is important to follow the technological process.

1. We wash and dry our hands.
2. Gently push aside and remove the cuticle. If you are working with a typewriter, then include a low speed, work smoothly so as not to injure your hands.
3. Give the same shape and length to each nail.
4. We give a light roughness with a buff. You need to drive with minimal pressure and without changing direction. Don't stay in one place more than once. The procedure allows you to remove irregularities from the surface.
5. Remove dust with a brush and degrease the plate with a lint-free cloth. For this, you can use special products or alcohol.
6. After that, a base is applied in a thin layer and dry from 30 seconds to 2 minutes, depending on the manufacturer and the power of the lamp itself.
7. The colored coating is applied in thin layers and the edge of the nail must be sealed before each listening.
8. A top coat or top coat is also applied in a thin layer and sealed. If it has a sticky effect, then remove it with nail polish remover.

How to choose the right gel polish?

When choosing a gel polish, you should pay attention not only to the company and the price, but also to the details. This will reduce the risks of allergic reactions, get an easy-to-use product and enjoy a beautiful manicure for a long time.

1. Concentration of funds. Liquid will leave unpainted areas, especially for light shades. Too thick for a beginner is difficult to evenly distribute. Choose something in between.
2. The brush should be thick, dense and at the same time not too long, but not too short. Check the e for any protruding fluff.
3. No pungent odor. By itself, it is not harmful and disappears at the end of the work with the varnish. But given the fact that a manicure is not done in 15 minutes, it is worth considering all options without an unpleasant odor or with its minimization.
4. Application system. There are three types of coatings. Single-phase - these are "3 in 1" products that do not require the purchase of a base and top. But they come off the nail very quickly. Two-phase - includes a base and a fetal component, but requires a topcoat. Three-phase - this gel polish needs a base and a top, so their durability is higher than the previous two.