Why we picked it: "There were no chips after five days -- amazing!" says associate editor Alexis Finc. Adds intern Stephanie Shum: "I think OPI is the most chip-proof because of their brush design. Their brush is one of the best ones for getting a nice, even coat with one stroke, which I think is really important. If your polish is too thick or thin, it chips much more easily."
Why we picked it: "This was peeling and flaking less than 12 hours after I applied it," says assistant editor Jane Kim. Adds staffer Mandy Hjellming: "After only a couple of days, it had chipped halfway down my nail. So disappointing."
Is it just us, or is standing in front of the polish wall at the nail salon trying to choose a color totally and utterly daunting?
Sure, you could pick a color solely based on shade, but when there are 30 pale pinks, 50 reds, and seemingly every color in between, how do you weed through the masses and know which brand will deliver a smooth, shiny manicure -- and last through a week of typing, dishes, and texting?
Actually, the answer is simple: You click here to see the 2011 Total Beauty nail polish awards so you can go to the salon (or do your DIY mani) knowing which polishes will wow you.
To come up with this list, our editors spent weeks with multi-hued nails as we tested hundreds of brands and shades to find the best nail polishes on the market right now.
What did we find? Polishes that survived a weekend of sailing without so much as a chip -- and others that smudged and chipped after one measly day. We discovered new eco-friendly brands that delivered more shine than we thought possible, a polish that actually protects your nails from fungus (and has some of the most amazing glitter shades around), and much more.
There were old favorites that won awards, like OPI nail polish, and plenty of brands you haven't heard of but will want to try immediately.
So the next time you're headed to the salon or breaking out your DIY manicure bag, use this list as the ultimate guide to the best (and worst) nail polish available.
