I consider this luxury nail polish brand to be one of the best around—these are my top 13 shades

Whether you love low-key or vibrant shades, there's one here

Best Chanel nail polishes
(Image credit: Getty Images / Jeremy Moeller)

As beauty editors, there's often one brand or product that was the reason we became so infatuated with the industry in the first place. For me, it's Chanel nail polish. Long before I was a beauty journalist or nail tech, I would reserve buying them for special occasions and at the airport with my leftover money from any holiday I went on. I built up quite a collection of classics and limited-edition shades and swooned over each one.

Not only are they (obviously) beautiful, but they remain some of the best formulas and most wearable shades. They apply like a dream and one coat is enough for an even layer (whether it's a sheer or opaque finish) and is genuinely long-lasting—particularly if you use a base and top coat and use cuticle oil daily. The brushes are flat with a slightly round tip, which makes it really easy to paint in three easy strokes.

Best Chanel nail polishes, according to a beauty editor and qualified nail tech

Best Chanel nail polishes - line up of Chanel nail polish shades

(Image credit: Tori Crowther)

Best light Chanel nail polish shades

Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in 167 White Silk swatch

(Image credit: Tori Crowther)

If you're a minimalist nail polish lover, there's no brand doing it quite like Chanel. That neat, barely-there finish elevating any outfit or occasion. I like to think of these shades as a palate cleanser; I'm all for vibrant hues but in-between often find myself wanting a timeless shade like Ballerina.

Best dark Chanel nail polish shades

Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in 141 Oiseau De Nuit swatch

(Image credit: Tori Crowther)

A well-painted, glossy dark nail always looks incredibly chic. From reds to pinks and even deep purples, there are lots of rich Chanel hues to choose from. I adore a high-shine deep shade, particularly on short square nails so it's my go-to when I'm taking a break from my gels in my classic long, almond shape.

Best pastel Chanel nail polish shades

Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in 121 Première Dame swatch

(Image credit: Tori Crowther)

There's nothing like a bright, joyful manicure to boost your mood. Colourful nail polish can feel a little intimidating, particularly if you want to keep the look chic. But with the coverage of these Chanel formulas, the finish is neat yet playful rather than looking like a school art project. 

Beauty Contributor

Tori is a freelance beauty journalist and contributor for Marie Claire. She has written for various titles, including Allure, Glamour, Elle, Refinery29, Brides, and more. Currently training to be a nail tech, Tori is a total nail enthusiast and always has time to talk all things nail art. When she’s not writing about beauty and testing products, Tori can be found walking her rescue dog Pip, drinking great coffee, and eating as many croissants as humanly possible.