Nail Polishes Price Comparison
Compare 544 nail polishes from Rimmel, CHANEL, OPI and more — find the best price across top UK retailers, from 2 £ to 10 £.
Nail Polishes price comparison UK
Nail polish is one of those categories where the price gap between brands tells you almost everything. At one end, Essence and CATRICE sit comfortably under 2 £, offering decent pigmentation for everyday wear. At the other, LONDONTOWN and CHANEL command prices well above 4 £ — and for many buyers, the difference in finish quality and longevity genuinely justifies it. We've analysed 544 products across this catalogue to help you cut through the noise.
The most important distinction to grasp before buying is formulation type. Traditional lacquers — think Rimmel's 60 Seconds Super Shine or Revlon's ColorStay Gel Envy — air-dry in minutes and come off easily with an acetone remover. Gel polishes, by contrast, require UV or LED curing and can last two to three weeks without chipping. The catch: removal is more involved, and if done carelessly, it can weaken the nail plate over time. Hybrid or gel-like polishes sit in between, offering extended wear without the lamp — a genuinely useful middle ground for anyone who wants durability without the commitment.
Morgan Taylor dominates the upper-mid segment with 85 products averaging around 3 £, making it the most represented professional brand in this catalogue. Rimmel, with 76 products at a fraction of that price, is the go-to for high-street buyers who repaint their nails weekly. Neither is objectively better — they serve completely different use cases. What we do flag is that a quality top coat can meaningfully extend the life of even a budget lacquer, which changes the value equation considerably.
Finish variety is broader than most people expect: creme, shimmer, metallic, holographic, matte, duochrome — each requires slightly different application technique and produces a distinct visual result. Glitter and holographic finishes, in particular, tend to need a dedicated remover and more patience to strip cleanly. If you're building a collection rather than buying one-offs, it's worth thinking about which finishes you'll actually reach for, rather than buying on impulse.
One detail that rarely gets enough attention: bottle size versus price per millilitre. A 15ml Revlon at a few pounds often works out cheaper per application than a 9ml Bourjois at a similar price point. Larger bottles do risk thickening through evaporation if you're not a frequent user, but for anyone painting their nails more than once a fortnight, the maths usually favours the bigger bottle. Compare carefully — and use MagicPrices to track price drops across Boots, Superdrug, Amazon and other UK retailers before committing. You can also pair your polish with a base coat to protect your nails and improve colour adhesion from the first stroke.
How to Choose the Right Nail Polish
With prices ranging from 2 £ to 10 £ and formulations spanning quick-dry lacquers to professional gel systems, picking the right nail polish isn't as straightforward as grabbing the prettiest colour. The three questions that matter most: how long do you want it to last, how much effort are you willing to put into removal, and are you painting at home or aiming for a salon-quality finish?
Formulation type: lacquer, hybrid or gel?
This is the single most consequential decision. Traditional lacquers (Rimmel, Revlon, Max Factor) air-dry, last 5–7 days, and come off with a standard acetone remover. Hybrid or gel-like polishes — such as Revlon's ColorStay Gel Envy — extend wear to 10–14 days without requiring a UV lamp, which makes them the most practical choice for most home users. True gel polishes last 14–21 days but demand a UV or LED lamp for curing and a soaking process for removal. If you're not already set up with a lamp, factor that cost into your budget before going down the gel route.
Wear duration vs. your repainting habits
Be honest about how often you actually repaint. If you change colour every few days, a premium long-wear formula is wasted money — a budget lacquer from Essence or CATRICE (both under 2 £) does the job perfectly well. If you want two weeks of chip-free wear for a holiday or a busy work period, invest in a proper long-wear or gel-like formula. The cost-per-wear calculation shifts dramatically once you account for frequency: a 3 £ bottle that lasts three weeks often beats a 2 £ bottle repainted every five days.
Opacity and coverage: how many coats?
One-coat coverage saves time and product, but not all polishes marketed as such actually deliver. Sheer and jelly finishes are intentionally translucent — they require 2–3 coats for full opacity, which is fine if that's the aesthetic you want. For solid cremes and deep shades, look for formulas described as full opacity in 1–2 coats. Glitter and metallic finishes are a special case: they often need a base colour underneath to look their best, effectively adding a step to the process.
Ingredient composition: how 'clean' does it need to be?
The market has shifted noticeably towards toxin-free formulations. 3-free means no toluene, DBP, or formaldehyde — now the baseline for most reputable brands. 5-free, 7-free, and 10-free formulas go further, removing additional plasticisers and preservatives. If you paint your nails frequently or have sensitive skin, this matters more than it might seem — particularly for the odour during application. LONDONTOWN and Mavala both lean into this positioning, which partly explains their higher average prices.
Brush design and application viscosity
An underrated factor, especially for beginners. Wide, flat brushes (common in Bourjois's 1 Seconde range) cover the nail in fewer strokes and are more forgiving of unsteady hands. Narrow precision brushes suit detailed work and shorter nails. Viscosity matters too: very thin formulas run into the cuticle easily; very thick ones drag and streak. Self-levelling formulas — which smooth out brush marks as they dry — are worth seeking out if you struggle with a clean finish at home.
Price per millilitre: the comparison most people skip
Bottle sizes in this category range from 8ml to 18ml+, which makes headline prices misleading. Budget brands (Rimmel, Essence) typically sit in the £0.50–1.00/ml range; mid-range options (Bourjois, Max Factor, Revlon) run £1.00–2.00/ml; luxury brands (CHANEL, LONDONTOWN) can reach £2.00–4.00/ml. Whether that premium is worth it depends on pigmentation quality and longevity — but always do the per-ml maths before assuming the cheaper bottle is better value.
- Everyday budget picks (From 2 £ to 2 £) : The territory of Essence, CATRICE, and Rimmel's core range. Pigmentation is serviceable, wear time is typically 5–7 days, and the colour selection is surprisingly broad. Ideal for frequent colour-changers or anyone building a large collection without breaking the bank. Don't expect flawless self-levelling or two-week durability — but for casual use, these genuinely do the job.
- The sweet spot (From 2 £ to 3 £) : Where Revlon, Max Factor, and Bourjois live. You get noticeably better brush design, improved chip resistance, and more consistent pigmentation batch to batch. The Revlon ColorStay Gel Envy and Max Factor Nailfinity sit here — both offer gel-like wear without a lamp, which is a real step up from basic lacquers. A solid choice for most regular users.
- Professional-grade at home (From 3 £ to 4 £) : Morgan Taylor and Mavala dominate this bracket. Formulations are more refined, colour ranges are deeper and more varied, and wear time is reliably longer. Morgan Taylor in particular is a salon staple that's crossed over into the consumer market — the quality shows. Worth the extra spend if you want results that look professionally done.
- Luxury and collector's territory (Over 4 £) : CHANEL, OPI, and LONDONTOWN. The price reflects exceptional pigmentation, distinctive finishes, and brand prestige as much as raw performance. CHANEL Le Vernis is genuinely beautiful — the brush, the formula, the colour depth — but at this price point, you're also paying for the bottle on your dressing table. Best suited to those who treat nail polish as part of a broader beauty ritual rather than a purely functional purchase.
Top products
- Rimmel 60 Seconds Super Shine 430 Coralicious 8ml (Rimmel) : The quintessential budget pick — quick-dry formula, decent pigmentation, and a price that makes it genuinely disposable. Don't expect more than a week's wear, but for the cost, that's a fair deal.
- CHANEL Le Vernis 111 Ballerina 13ml (CHANEL) : Objectively one of the best-looking polishes in this catalogue — the brush is exceptional and the creme finish is flawless. At this price, you're paying for the full CHANEL experience; if that matters to you, it's worth every penny.
- Revlon ColorStay Gel Envy Longwear 020 All Or Nothing 15ml (Revlon) : The best all-rounder in the mid-range bracket. Gel-like wear without a lamp, a generous 15ml bottle, and consistent chip resistance make this the smartest buy for regular home users who don't want the faff of a UV setup.
- Max Factor Nailfinity Gel Colour 200 The Icon 12ml (Max Factor) : Excellent value per millilitre and a reliable gel-like formula that punches above its price point. The shade range is broad and the finish is consistently smooth — a strong choice if you want step-up quality without stepping up the budget.
- Essence Gel Nail nail polish 8 ml Transparent Gloss (Essence) : At the very bottom of the price range, this is a credible top-coat-style gloss for layering over colour. Don't expect standalone coverage — it's sheer by design. But as a budget finishing layer, it does its job without complaint.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between gel nail polish and regular nail polish?
Gel nail polish requires curing under a UV or LED lamp to harden, while regular lacquer simply air-dries. The practical upshot: gel lasts 14–21 days with minimal chipping, whereas a standard polish typically chips within 5–7 days. The trade-off is removal — gel needs soaking in acetone or professional stripping, which can weaken nails if done too frequently. For home use without a lamp, hybrid gel-like formulas (such as Revlon ColorStay Gel Envy) offer a useful middle ground.
How do I make nail polish last longer without a UV lamp?
Start with a base coat — it improves adhesion and prevents staining. Apply two thin coats of colour rather than one thick coat, and finish with a top coat to seal the edges. Reapplying the top coat every two days adds meaningful extra wear. Avoid hot water immediately after painting, and keep nails away from harsh cleaning products without gloves. Done properly, this routine can push a standard lacquer to 10 days.
Is expensive nail polish actually worth it — or is Rimmel just as good?
It depends entirely on what you're optimising for. Rimmel's 60 Seconds range is genuinely good value for frequent colour-changers — the pigmentation is solid and the quick-dry formula works as advertised. Where premium brands like CHANEL or LONDONTOWN pull ahead is in finish quality, colour depth, and consistency across the nail. If you're painting your nails once a week in basic shades, the price difference is hard to justify. If you care about a flawless, long-lasting result in a specific finish, the gap is real.
What does '5-free' or '10-free' mean on nail polish bottles?
'Free' formulations exclude a specific number of potentially harmful chemicals. 3-free removes toluene, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), and formaldehyde — now the industry baseline. 5-free adds formaldehyde resin and camphor to that list. 10-free goes further still, eliminating additional plasticisers and preservatives. For most occasional users, 3-free is sufficient. If you paint your nails multiple times a week or have respiratory sensitivities, a higher-free formulation is worth seeking out — particularly given the enclosed spaces most people paint in.
Which nail polishes are best for beginners who struggle with a clean application?
Look for wide, flat brushes and self-levelling formulas — Bourjois's 1 Seconde range is a strong starting point, with a broad brush that covers the nail in two or three strokes. Medium viscosity polishes are the most forgiving: thin formulas flood the cuticle, thick ones drag and streak. Avoid glitter and holographic finishes until you're comfortable with the basics — they're the hardest to apply evenly and the most difficult to remove cleanly.
Can I use nail polish remover on gel polish at home?
Standard acetone remover won't fully remove cured gel polish — you need to soak cotton pads in pure acetone, press them against each nail, and wrap in foil for 10–15 minutes. This softens the gel enough to push off gently. Avoid peeling or scraping, which strips the top layer of the nail plate and causes long-term damage. If you're using gel polishes regularly, it's worth keeping a proper nail polish remover formulated for gel on hand.
Are there any nail polish brands to avoid in 2026?
We wouldn't say avoid outright, but there are patterns worth knowing. Very cheap unbranded polishes — particularly those without any 'free' certification — often contain higher levels of toluene and formaldehyde resin, which produce strong fumes and can cause nail brittleness over time. Stick to named brands even at the budget end: Essence and CATRICE, both under 2 £, are properly formulated and widely available in the UK. The real trap is buying a large bottle of an unfamiliar brand on the basis of price alone — consistency between batches is poor, and you may find the colour looks nothing like the cap.