7 Best Gel Polishes Without a UV Light to Get Salon-like Nails at Home

Written by Sayantani Deb, Makeup & Beauty Writer

Updated on Mar 21, 2024

The products curated for this article are independently chosen by the editorial team. If you make a purchase through the links mentioned below, we may receive a commission. Check out our product research & curation process

Gel nail polishes are thick and highly pigmented forms of nail lacquers that usually require curing under UV LED lamps to offer a more durable, and chip-resistant color. Therefore, our guide to the best gel nail polishes without UV light will allow you to enjoy the perks of gel nail polishes while avoiding the harmful effects of UV radiation. Using these recommendations, you can achieve professional-grade nails without spending too much on a UV lamp or on salon visits. 

Gel nail polishes are currently stirring up buzz in the professional manicure industry. Although earlier gel nail polishes required to be cured using UV lamps and involved multiple application processes, with advancements in research and technology, there have been improvements in these formulations too. These improvements included enhancement in longevity, appearances, and application techniques of gel nail polishes making them more accessible and convenient to use even without any professional help. Therefore, let us find out more about the newer and improved gel polishes that do not require any UV lamps for better adhesion to the nails.

Our top picks

7 Best Gel Polishes Without UV Light

Let your nails do all the talking with LONDONTOWN's nail veil. This soothing nude shade makes a statement in the summer as well as the winter season. The beauty of this product is that it adds beautiful color to your nails while protecting your nail bed. It nourishes your skin and gives you stronger nails in no time. Those who want a softer finish can use just one coat to enhance the natural look of your nails. On the other hand, apply a few more strokes for a bolder finish. 

Pros

• Gluten-free
• Vegan
• Cruelty-free
• Easy application
• Value for money

Cons

• Need to apply multiple coasts

2

Best Overall

Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Polish

Give yourself the trendiest, salon-like nails while enjoying the comfort of your own home with Sally Hansen’s Miracle Gel nail polish. This gorgeous at-home manicure requires no UV/LED light system to cure it, saving you a ton of money and precious time. It is unbelievably long-lasting and can stay on your nails for up to 8 days without losing its color and shine. Additionally, it is made to be chip-resistant and thus resists daily wear and tear to look perfect for days. You can easily remove this 2-step gel hybrid manicure like any other regular nail polish.

Pros

• Time-saving
• Easy to apply
• Lasts for more than a week
• Won’t fade or chip
• Vibrant color options

Cons

• Has a strong smell

3

Best Natural Formula

CND VINYLUX LONG WEAR POLISH

A nail polish gel that also helps you to keep your nails healthy is worth your money. The CND Vinylux nail polish has been formulated with vitamin E, keratin, and jojoba oil which helps in maintaining healthy and strong nails that also look gorgeous. It is a two-step, fast-drying nail gel that does not require any base coat. Plus, this high-shine polish has over 7 days of chip resistance and all-natural, high-quality materials that give intense coverage in just one stroke. It comes equipped with a wider and flatter brush that helps you achieve easy, fast, and smoother application that also has great precision.

Pros

• Gives a long-lasting shine
• Convenient application
• Self-adhesive formula
• Hydrates the nails
• Dries quickly

Cons

• The colors may not be true to the picture

4

Most Versatile Applicator

essie expressie quick dry nail color

With this product, your manicure routine will be more simple, and it will lead to younger and more beautiful nails. Essie expressie’s gel nail polish is perfect for anyone who loves a high-quality product that is also convenient – the fast-drying formula allows it to dry within a minute after application. You do not require any base or top coat, and you don’t need to cure it under UV lamps. Just apply two coats and let it dry completely to get stunning nails. Also, it features a unique angled brush that allows easy self-application with both hands, including your non-dominant one. To switch to each hand, simply flip the brush and angle it down. What’s more is that the vegan formulation comes in different trans-seasonal colors for you to achieve celebrity-style nails at home.

Pros

• Adjustable brush angle
• Quick drying
• Effortless application
• No base coat needed

5

Most Affordable

REVLON COLORSTAY GEL ENVY NAIL ENAMEL

Get nails that last for days while radiating a stunning shine and rich colors with Revlon’s ColorStay Gel nail enamel. With this product, you can give yourself a high-quality, salon-like finish at home. The best part about it is that it will stay for up to 7 days. Plus, it has been carefully formulated with shea butter and oils that will help to condition your nails and make them stronger. Equipped with a wide-angle brush, it helps you in creating smooth coats that are free from any air bubbles. You can pair it with a top coat to get an even better gel-like shine.

Pros

• Has a convenient brush
• Nourishing and strengthening
• Lasts for a week
• Easy application
• Glossy finish

Cons

• The consistency is quite thick

6

Best Long-lasting Formula

O.P.I NAIL LACQUER

O.P.I is a revolutionary nail color brand that has superior quality, fashion-forward products that are available in trendy colors that match every mood and promote self-expression. It is a long-lasting nail polish with a gel formula that does not chip or rip and maintains an irresistible shine for up to 7 days. There are over 200+ iconic colors that you can choose from in this fast-drying formulation. Also, it is a highly-pigmented nail gel that does not require any additional curing instruments or any top and bottom coat to last long. Plus, it comes with an exclusive ProWide Brush that offers flawless application.

Pros

• High-quality formula
• Chip and peel resistant
• Exclusive brush design
• Extensive range of rich colors
• Has a high-shine finish

Cons

• May be quite expensive

7

Most Unique Formula

L.A. girl Gel GLOW Polish

For an edgy look, this L.A. Girl Gel Glow nail polish is a must-have in your collection! They come in high-shine colors that become vividly bright when they are blacklight-activated. No UV light is required to set this nail polish, but you can add a top coat to get a glowing effect on your nails. This nail polish gel is the perfect way to light up your festivities without having to spend too much on manicures. Plus, the quick-drying formula is cruelty-free, paraben-free, and vegan – it comes in eight unique colors with a glowing effect.

Pros

• Gives off a unique glow
• Stunning pigmentation
• Clean formula
• Value for money
• Vegan-friendly

Cons

• Thick formula

Now that we’ve gone over some of the best nail polishes that do not require UV light, let us take a look at how you can choose one that is perfect for you.

How to Select the Best Gel Nail Polish Without a UV Light?

To choose the best nail gel nail polish that does not require UV lamps for curing, you have to keep certain factors in mind, such as:

1. Ingredients: Gel nail polishes are made with various chemicals that provide them their unique properties like vibrant color, adhesion, durability, etc. Therefore it is essential to avoid products with ingredients that may not be suitable for sensitive skin, or ones that may contain potential allergens or skin-irritants in the formula. To make your search process easier, pay attention to indications labeled as "3-free" or "5-free,"  which means those formulations are devoid of harmful ingredients like formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, camphor, or formaldehyde resin.

2. Quality of the Formula: The formulations of gel nail polishes are usually made to be durable, chip-resistant, and super-pigmented. Therefore, look out for such high-grade formulations that claim to have these features. They should have great reviews too. Additionally, you can also check for the consistency of the formula such as gel polishes with smooth consistencies that are easy to spread evenly and do not require additional curing or prepping time. This prevents you from spending a lot of time, energy, or money. 

3. Budget: It is essential to fix a budget and conduct your own market study by comparing the prices of different gel polishes available online. While creating a budget for yourself, you must also consider that although there are several gel nail polishes available at lower prices, usually products that offer higher quality, performance, and longevity have a slightly higher cost.

Our exclusive list of the best gel nail polish without a UV light has a tasteful variety, all of which come with the most stunning glossy finishes. We have ensured that all the recommended products are of high quality, easy to use, durable, and within a decent budget. You don’t have to be a professional nail artist to enjoy these ultra-pigmented gel nail polishes. So, now you can save some precious time by skipping the curing process of your manicure, this will prevent you from spending tons of money on salon visits too.

FAQ's

Is there a gel nail polish that doesn’t need UV light?

Yes, there are gel nail polishes that will give equally vibrant, glossy, and long-lasting colors without a UV lamp. You can check our recommendations mentioned above to choose the perfect one for yourself.

Do all gel polishes require UV light?

No, not all gel nail polishes require UV light to be cured and perfected, some examples are mentioned in this article.

How do you dry gel nails without a UV LED lamp?

You may air dry your gel nail polish, or you may immerse your fingers in an ice bath for quicker results.

Can you use gel nail polish without UV light?

Yes you can, however, the drying time is going to be too long which sometimes might even take days to set completely. So, other than gel nail polishes that are specially made to be used without UV lamps, curing them under UV light is usually a convenient option.

Why Trust Pinkvilla

Sayantani is a certified hair and makeup professional turned writer with 2+ years of experience in the same genre. When it comes to at-home manicures, she believes that gel nail polish is the way to go. Regular gel polish can be time-consuming to use, so gel nail polishes that do not require UV light for curing are the next best bet. They offer a stunning shine and feel, and also last for extended periods of time. Apart from being passionate about imparting knowledge on the things she is enthusiastic about, Sayantani also has a knack for all things creative and aesthetic. When not working, she relies on binge-watching beauty videos and social media surfing for her daily dose of entertainment. 

Our product experts study the specifications of every product we suggest and try them out to bring what’s proven to be worthy of your money, time, and energy. We also have subject matter experts from various fields like Fashion, Skincare, Haircare, Home Decor, and Health & Fitness onboard to make sure our suggestions are credible and trustworthy. You can trust Select to be your faithful shopping guide for all the right reasons!

Author BIO

Sayantani is a certified hair and makeup professional turned writer with 2+ years of experience in the same genre. Ap More

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