# Nail polish that doesn't chip

Source: HiveTried, https://hivetried.com/beauty/nail-polish/doesnt-chip/
Category: Beauty > Nail polish. Updated 2026-10-08. Based on 184 counted first-hand reports from Ulta shopper reviews, Mar 2018 to Oct 2026.

**Question:** Which nail polish doesn't chip?

**Short answer:** Essie Nail Art Studio Special Effects leads with 8 of 8, though that is a small group. Essie Pinks Nail Polish has a larger group behind it at 21 of 29, and every other polish here chips for more reviewers than it holds up for. People tend to mention chipping when it happens to them, so shares run low across this page.

**What stands out:** Shade praise runs high even where staying power is low: 67% of Orly reviews and 66% of OPI Pinks reviews praise the shades, yet just 14 of 29 and 10 of 27 say it doesn't chip.

## Ranking (buyers who said whether it worked)

| Rank | Product | Doesn't chip | Share | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Essie Nail Art Studio Special Effects | 8 of 8 | 100% | yes |
| 2 | Essie Pinks Nail Polish | 21 of 29 | 72% | yes |
| 3 | Orly Nail Lacquer | 14 of 29 | 48% | no |
| 4 | OPI Nail Lacquer Pinks | 10 of 27 | 37% | no |
| 5 | OPI RapiDry Quick-Dry Lacquer | 9 of 29 | 31% | no |
| 6 | Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Polish | 7 of 23 | 30% | no |
| 7 | Zoya Nail Lacquer | 8 of 28 | 29% | no |

Ranked by the lower bound of a 90% Wilson confidence interval, so a product needs a high share and enough reports to rank high. An Amazon link is shown only when at least 60% say it works.

## Product notes

### 1. Essie Nail Art Studio Special Effects

Everyone who took a side said it doesn't chip (8 of 8), but that is a small group. Reviewers like the shades (44%), and 33% say it's slow to dry.

- Praised for: Great shades (44%), Opaque in two coats (22%)
- Complaints: Slow to dry (33%)
- Reports counted: 9

### 2. Essie Pinks Nail Polish

More reviewers back this one than the leader: 21 of 29 at Ulta said it doesn't chip. Reviewers praise the shades (60%), the shine (37%) and fast drying (27%).

- Praised for: Great shades (60%), Glossy shine (37%), Dries fast (27%)
- Reports counted: 30

### 3. Orly Nail Lacquer

Shades are the draw (67%), but 15 of 29 Ulta reviewers who mentioned chipping said it chips. 13% also mention peeling.

- Praised for: Great shades (67%), Opaque in two coats (7%), Lasts a week or more (7%)
- Reports counted: 30

### 4. OPI Nail Lacquer Pinks

17 of 27 Ulta reviewers who mentioned chipping said it chips. Praise goes to the shades (66%), and 14% call it streaky.

- Praised for: Great shades (66%), Opaque in two coats (10%), Dries fast (7%)
- Complaints: Streaky (14%)
- Reports counted: 29

### 5. OPI RapiDry Quick-Dry Lacquer

Fast drying is the draw (45%), but staying power isn't: 20 of 29 reviewers who mentioned chipping said it chips. 10% mention peeling.

- Praised for: Dries fast (45%), Great shades (41%), Lasts a week or more (10%)
- Complaints: Slow to dry (14%)
- Reports counted: 29

### 6. Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Polish

Store results differ: 7 of 23 at Ulta said it doesn't chip, against 5 of 5 on Sally Hansen's own site, which we show but don't count. Fans say it lasts a week or more (26%).

- Praised for: Lasts a week or more (26%)
- Reports counted: 23

### 7. Zoya Nail Lacquer

20 of 28 Ulta reviewers who mentioned chipping said it chips, the weakest record here. Shades get the praise (30%), and 13% say it's too expensive.

- Praised for: Great shades (30%), Lasts a week or more (10%), Opaque in two coats (7%)
- Complaints: Too expensive (13%), Slow to dry (7%)
- Reports counted: 30

## Questions

**Which nail polish doesn't chip?**

Essie Nail Art Studio Special Effects leads at 8 of 8, from a small group. Essie Pinks Nail Polish has more reviewers behind it at 21 of 29.

**Does OPI nail polish chip?**

Often, by these reviews. 17 of 27 Ulta reviewers who mentioned chipping said OPI Nail Lacquer Pinks chips, and 20 of 29 said the same about OPI RapiDry Quick-Dry Lacquer.

**Does Sally Hansen Miracle Gel chip?**

At Ulta, often: 16 of 23 reviewers who mentioned chipping said it chips. On Sally Hansen's own site, 5 of 5 said it doesn't chip, which we show but don't count.

**Why are the shares on this page so low?**

People tend to write about chipping when it happens to them, so a low share doesn't mean a polish is bad for everyone. Use the ranking to compare polishes with each other.

## Method

HiveTried counts first-hand reports only, drops reviews written for free products, shows brand-site reviews without counting them, and never accepts payment for placement. Full method: https://hivetried.com/how-we-count/