Image: MomJunction Design Team
Flaunt your freshly manicured nails with our list of the best no-light gel polishes. The no-light gel polishes have a special formula that does not need ultraviolet light or other such mechanisms to dry. They come in various colors that are dynamic, thick, and durable. Thanks to their unique, chip-free formula, and adhesion, most of these nail polishes have a longer lifespan than regular polishes. They can give you a stylish, glossy look for up to four weeks.
Jackie Alves, makeup artist, beauty educator, and founder of the beauty brand The Real Makeup Artist, says, “Chrome finish nails are on trend and super hot lately. So creating them at home with a no-light gel product will help complete your look while saving you time and money.”
These makeup artist-approved polishes are also easy to wear and remove, and you don’t need to soak them for long. They are low maintenance and do not harm your nails. Available in various options, you might find it challenging to choose the right one. So, go through our list of the best no-light gel polishes to find one that suits your taste.
Top Picks
7 Best No Light Gel Polish
1. Best Abrasion-Resistant:Seche Vive Gel Effect Top Coat
Seche Vive is the best no-light gel polish for those who want an opaque gel topcoat that can match any nail color. Fixed by a high-quality sealing layer, the coat can enhance the nail’s strength and life. This gel effect nail polish is abrasion-resistant and protects the fresh appearance of nails from fading or scratches. It dries quickly, resulting in a plump effect and a shiny finish with a healthy luster.
The product has an inoculation effect, making your nails healthy and preventing yellowing or discoloration. Additionally, this no-lamp needed polish is formulated to dry on its own. It is one of the best nail polishes that is long-lasting and easy to remove.
Item form: Gel, Color: Dark blue |Special features: Long-lasting, fast-drying, cruelty-free | Finish type: Glossy | Liquid volume: 0.5oz | UV/LED light required: No
Pros
- No UV curing required
- Prevents nails from staining
- Not tested on animals and 100% vegan formula
- Free of parabens, sulfates, or triclosan
- Safe on artificial nails
Cons
- May have an overpowering smell
- May chip at the edges
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The 5,792 positive customer reviews on Amazon attest to the product’s quality.
Quick tip2. Best Quick-Drying:Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Polish
Sally Hansen’s two-step gel system manicure adds color to your nails and protects them from chipping, fading, or degradation with its adhesion. The patented Tube Technology increases its durability.
The curing process does not require any UV or LED light. The quick-drying gel polish glows for up to eight days. The Zero Gloss Gel System can conceal streak-like defects caused by daily pressure on the nails. This professional-grade nail polish is ideal for use in professional nail salons or at home. This review video detailing a tester’s experience gives you more information about the product.
Item form: Gel/Creme, Color: Crème De La Crème |Special features: Chip-resistant | Finish type: High shine | Liquid volume: 0.5oz | UV/LED light required: No
Pros
- Suitable for a home manicure
- Easy removal polish
- Chip-resistant
- Precision brush with long brush head
- Available in matte and shiny finishes
- Available in festive shades
Cons
- May have a slightly thicker texture
- Shade may be darker than expected
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The 4,701 reviews on Amazon indicate that this product has a loyal following.
3. Best Long-Lasting:Essie Gel Couture Longwear Nail Polish
Use Essie Gel Couture nail polish to chrome your nails within the comforts of your home. Gel polishing follows a simple two-step method to nourish and strengthen the nails and give them a jewel-like gloss. The quick-drying formula of this nail strengthener offers durability and remains consistent for up to 14 days, even after heavy use, making it one of the best no-light gel polishes for most users. It can be cured without UV or LED, and the removal process requires the use of non-acetone or acetone nail polish remover. Here is an informative review video that tells you more about the product.
Item form: Gel, Color: Gel couture |Special features: Vegan-friendly, cruelty-free, long-wearing | Finish type: Sheer | Liquid volume: 0.46oz |UV/LED light required: No
Pros
- Chip- and fade-resistant
- No base coat gel polish
- Swirl-stem brush
- Good coverage
- Sheer finish
- Has no animal-derived ingredients
- Free of formaldehyde
Cons
- May need multiple coats to achieve the desired gel color
- May not be chip-proof
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The 1,791 positive customer reviews on Amazon are a testament to its quality and reliability.
Quick tipSeche Vive Gel Effect Top Coat Best Abrasion-Resistant | Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Polish Best Quick-Drying | Essie Gel Couture Longwear Nail Polish Best Long-Lasting | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 5,792 | 4,701 | 1,791 |
| Price | $8.14 | $5.79 | $15.6 |
4. Best Bubble-Free Finish:Revlon ColorStay Envy Gel Nail Polish
Revlon offers this two-in-one nail polish, which ensures bubble-free and polished coating. The nail polish offers rich luster and long-lasting defense without a UV or LED drying method. It provides firmness to nails while giving comprehensive protection and wide coverage. The nail polish is formulated with shea butter and conditioning oil, to improve the nails’ overall health. The gel color stays glossy for at least seven days.
Item form: Gel, Color: 015 up in charms |Special features: Contains shea butter and oils | Finish type: Glossy | Liquid volume: 0.4oz | UV/LED light required: No
Pros
- Chip- and fade-resistant
- Smooth-gliding formula
- Wide-angled nail polish brush
- Available in a wide variety of colors
Cons
- May be slightly shimmery
- Shade may be lighter than expected
5. Best Nail-Strengthening:Nails Inc Gel Effect Polish
Nails Inc gel polish offers a high-reflection resin system that enhances the adhesion between the nails and the gel. The professional-grade gel envelops the entire nail, forming a soft connection that provides strength and firmness. The ingredients include complex two-fold aldehydes, zinc, and calcium mixtures.
The keratin in the nail polish helps improve nail elasticity and durability. The gel polish dries quickly, creating a flawless, smooth finish and an elegant shimmer. It is formulated for home manicure and does not require any additional wiping.
Item form: Gel, Color: Porchester square |Special features: Highly pigmented | Finish type: Glossy | Liquid volume: 0.4oz | UV/LED light required: No
Pros
- Formulated with plasticizer technology
- Wide brush design
- Highly pigmented
- Quick-drying
Cons
- Consistency may be slightly watery
6. Best For Quick Application:Gabriella Gel Nail Polish
The long-lasting properties of Gabriella’s gel nail polish enhance the brilliance and elegance of nails, making it the best no-light gel polish in the market. This trailblazing formula in nail polishes allows you to apply it quickly on clean nails, thereby saving time. The quick and rapid organic curing process adds to its reliability. The luminosity of the polish remains for more than 14 days.
Item form: Gel, Color: Clear |Special features: Long-lasting, quick-drying | Finish type: Clear | Liquid volume: 0.35oz | UV/LED light required: No
Pros
- No UV or LED lamp required
- Fast-drying
- Chip-resistant
- Thin formula
Cons
- May need a couple of coats to achieve the desired shade
- May have a slightly chalky consistency
Do remember7. Best Water-Based: CSS Gel Nail Polish
CSS gel nail polish uses a unique water-based formula consisting of 66% Aqua, mineral pigments, polyurethane resin, and other safe ingredients. The nail polish can dry quickly within 60 seconds without using ultraviolet LED lights, and the unique formula makes peeling easy without using nail polish remover, despite the strong adhesion.
This salon-quality gel-based polish gives you professional outcomes right at home. You can use the makeup artist-approved nail polish directly to get a matte finish, or use the topcoat for a mirrored nail polish look.
Item form: Gel, Color: A-6 colors+top coat |Special features: Non-toxic, organic water-based | Finish type: Matte | Liquid volume: 0.4oz | UV/LED light required: No
Pros
- Non-toxic
- Not tested on animals
- Odor-free gel polish
- Infused with high-quality resins
- Quick-drying
- Available in six stunning shades
Cons
- May chip at the edges
How To Choose The Right No Light Gel Polish?
Before choosing a no light gel polish for your nails, consider the following essential factors.
- Ingredients: Ensure the ingredients used in the products are non-toxic, cruelty-free, and tested to be safe to use on nails. Use 100% vegan, water-based products that do not contain parabens and sulfates.
- Durability: The gel polish should be chip-resistant to ensure longevity. Its formula should enhance the adhesion between the gel and the nails. The topcoat should withstand the daily wear and tear and maintain the nails’ glitter effect.
- Curing time: You should know the time required for the polish to completely dry for a smooth finish–it generally takes 60 seconds. This will save you time and avoid prolonged drying.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How should I remove the gel polish?
The fastest and safest method is to remove with acetone or non-acetone nail polish remover.
2. Is it safe to use gel nail polish during pregnancy?
Use gel nail polish sparingly during pregnancy. You may feel nauseous when drying or curing the gel polish.
3. Can I use gel polish without UV light?
Yes, some gel polishes are specially formulated to dry without using any light or UV light. Ensure the gel polish you pick is labeled ‘no-light gel polish’ or ‘UV-free gel polish.’
4. How long is non-UV gel nail polish supposed to last?
Generally, non-UV gel nail polish lasts around two to three weeks. But some gel polishes similar to traditional nail polishes last only one week and then start chipping.
5. Can I air dry a no-light gel nail polish?
Yes, these nail polishes have a quick-drying formula and may take around five minutes to dry. You should follow the instructions given by the no-light gel polish manufacturer for desired results.
6. How many layers of no-light gel nail polish should I apply?
Nail art professionals often suggest applying only two coats of polish for a proper gel nail polish manicure. If more coats are applied, it may look like a thick shell on your nails.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Poulami Nag is an experienced product writer and reviewer specializing in beauty and personal care products. Her thorough research and analyses of various products help bring out the best options for her readers. Here, Poulami presents a list of the best no-light gel nail polish so that you can give yourself a gel manicure at home and brighten your nails without requiring any ultraviolet or other such lights. She has summarized the features of each product and provided a buying guide to help you select the one that suits your style.
The Bottom Line
No-light or no-cure gel polishes use a special formula that does not require UV rays to cure the nails. This article has some of the best no-light and glossy finish polishes available. For excellent shine with gel-like finish, we recommend choosing the Seche Vive Gel Effect Top Coat, whereas, the Essie Gel Couture Longwear Nail Polish is good for a long-lasting jewel-like gloss. The no-light gel polishes listed here are dynamic, thick, chip-free, and long-lasting, and can accentuate your skin tone and outfit. Therefore, when choosing a gel polish, consider the occasion for which you will be applying the nail polish. Further, consider picking a cruelty-free gel polish that dries quickly.
Infographic: How To Apply A No-Light Gel Polish The Right Way?
A no-light gel nail polish is unique as it requires no special equipment but only natural sunlight to cure properly. However, it’s crucial to apply it correctly to achieve a salon-like finish. Check out the following infographic for a hassle-free application.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
References
- Gel manicures: Tips for healthy nails
https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/nail-care-secrets/basics/pedicures/gel-manicures
Community Experiences
Join the conversation and become a part of our nurturing community! Share your stories, experiences, and insights to connect with fellow parents.
Read full bio of Jackie Alves
Read full bio of Poulami Nag
Read full bio of Wedetso Chirhah
Read full bio of Gayatri A
