How Long Do These High Street Gel Nail Polishes Actually Last?

We've all heard the lofty beauty product claims: foundations that last 18 hours, serums that contain wrinkle-erasing magic crystals, and, of course, nail polish that looks and lasts like gel, but doesn't require a UV lamp or the damaging removal process. And we're always a little skeptical — because if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

But in the past few years, affordable nail brands have doubled-down on the idea of long-wear, non-chip varnish and seriously upped the ante in terms of user-friendly brushes, shades that deliver complete opacity with one swipe, and ridiculously shiny top coats. So, we decided to put four of the most popular formulas to the test — in shades of red, which tend to chip fastest — to see if they really stood up to their claims. Check out our unfiltered reviews, ahead.