Choosing the Best Nail Polish

Best Performing Nail Polishes

Best Strengthing Nail Polish

Sally Hansen Diamond Strength No Chip Nail Color, $5
"This polish (shown, top left) wears like iron," said one tester. Diamond particles and protein in all 24 shades bolster brittle nails.

To buy: At drugstores.
 
 

Best Formaldehyde-Free Nail Polish

Zoya Nail Polish, from $6
Testers liked the color range (60 shades) and durability of this polish (shown, 2nd from top left), which has no harsh chemicals.

To buy: zoya.com.
 
 

Best Cream Nail Polish

Bourjois Very Vernis Nail Enamel in Rose Lounge, $9
Testers loved the understated look this gave and found that it hid nail discolorations (shown, bottom corner left).

To buy: Unfortunately, this product is no longer available.
 
 

Best Long-Wearing Nail Polish

Revlon Colorstay Nail Enamel, $6
Chipping was our testers' biggest gripe, but this one (shown bottom middle) aced the endurance tests.

To buy: At drugstores.
 
 

Best Sheer Nail Polish

Lippmann Collection Nail Lacquer in Sarah Smile, $16
A double coat of this see-through petal pink (shown, top right) looks fresh and clean. "It has a hint of rose that brightens any skin tone," notes Kyra Johnson, spa director at Spa Avania, in Scottsdale, Arizona.

To buy: lippmanncollection.com.
 
 

Best Nail Polish with Shimmer

L'Oréal Jet-Set Shine Nail Enamel in Resort Perle, $6
"This adds just the right amount of gleam," said a tester. "It's like throwing on fabulous earrings for a night out (shown, top right)."

To buy: At drugstores.