Ideal nail polish needs to deliver all of the benefits of traditional nail polish and ideally it would:

• be easy to apply with left or right hand
• cover only the nail bed, not the cuticle or skin
• dry immediately so you can go about your business after applying
• last (no chipping, cracking) at least as long as it takes for nails to be noticeably grown in (2-3 weeks) so you have to re-do because the nails grew, not because the product failed
• nourish the nail so when polish is removed the nail is healthy with no cracks, splits, or discoloration
• be easy to remove without the use of harsh chemicals
• maybe change colors each day to match your outfit without having to re-polish!

An ideal Nail Polish should have the following characteristics:

• Decorate and protect the nail plates
• It should adhere to the nail's surface and remove easily when required
• They should maintain the sparkling particles in suspension while in the bottle
• It should be viscous but free flowing when agitated
• It should quickly dry after application
• It should strengthen nails, restore moisture to the nails and help polish adhere to the nails
• It should stay on nails for a longer period of time
• It should be safe to handle and also for nails

Not sure if you still are looking for answers but Essie came out with a “gel” version of nail polishes that are applied similar to regular nail polish but last almost as long as a gel manicure, without the damage to the nails. I think that version is just a few steps away from being the perfect nail polish.

The perfect nail polish will embody the following traits:

• apply easily with one coat
• dries fast
• last for up to two weeks without chipping
• Won’t damage nails during the application process
• And as a plus adds nutrients/strength to nails, and are available in a wide range of shades