The Best Nail Polishes and Products of 2018

When you can't decide on what color polish to paint your nails, you can't go wrong with a classic red. OPI's worldwide best-selling shade gets its flattering richness from the hint of blue added to its formula.  

Not too pink, not too taupe, this year's winning neutral nail polish is just right. One coat of this barely-there color gives you a sheer look, while two layers leave a creamy opaque finish. 

Usually when a nail polish gets goopy and tacky, it's time to throw the bottle out. But when it comes to this year's Best Base Coat, "sticky" is a good thing. The formula acts like double-sided tape by bonding to your nail and the polish you layer on top so that your manicure lasts so much longer. 

You may have given yourself a rushed DIY manicure, but your nails don't have to show it. Applying a topcoat seals in polish so that your nails look just-painted fresh. This year's top-prize formula leaves nails super shiny for up to a week. 

Especially during the winter, cuticle oil is the one product you need more than lip balm. Essie's Apricot Oil nourishes dry, flaky cuticles without any greasy, heavy residue. Bonus: We've even used it to polish our split ends.

A glitter nail polish seems like a good idea until you try to take it off. That's where the industry's favorite nail polish remover comes in. Zoya's formula wipes away the most sparkly and dark polish shades without drying out your fingers. 

If you want super soft hands, you have to crack open Chanel's egg-shaped hand cream. Spotted in the handbags of beauty editors and It girls everywhere, the sheer lotion is spiked with nourishing rose wax and brightening iris pallida extract. 

With most dark polishes, you need to layer multiple coats to get a rich, opaque finish. That's what makes OPI's cult-favorite deep aubergine polish this year's clear winner. A single coat is really all you need. 

Each of these products is voted on by a panel of pros or selected by our editors. If you purchase through our links, InStyle may earn a commission.