---
title: "Gel polish brands in New Zealand: Which are searched most?"
description: "Compare the gel polish brands people buy. Share of Search among Gelous, Gelish, OPI, Essie, Sally Hansen, DND and CND Shellac, the gel polish brands Brandwave compares in New Zealand, using the same methodology, market, and reporting period. Branded searches tell you how often people look for a brand by name or related terms. Comparing these searches across competitors helps you see how popular each brand is over time."
canonical: "https://gobrandwave.com/demand/nz/categories/nz-gel-polish-brands"
publisher: "Brandwave"
---

# Gel polish brands in New Zealand: Which are searched most?

Compare the gel polish brands people buy. Share of Search among Gelous, Gelish, OPI, Essie, Sally Hansen, DND and CND Shellac, the gel polish brands Brandwave compares in New Zealand, using the same methodology, market, and reporting period. Branded searches tell you how often people look for a brand by name or related terms. Comparing these searches across competitors helps you see how popular each brand is over time.

## Key facts

- **Competitive set**: Gel polish brands
- **Market**: New Zealand
- **Brands compared**: 7
- **Month measured**: Sep 2026
- **Highest Share of Search**: Gelous, 43.2%

## Which brand is most popular in search among gel polish brands in New Zealand?

- In September 2026, Gelous was the most searched among gel polish brands in New Zealand, with an estimated 4.4K branded searches, 43.2% of all searches for the seven we track.
- Gelish is in 2nd place, 21.8 percentage points behind at 21.4%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Gelous’ share of searches among gel polish brands in New Zealand decreased from 48.5% to 43.2%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Gelish’s share of searches among gel polish brands in New Zealand increased from 20.8% to 21.4%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, OPI’s share of searches among gel polish brands in New Zealand increased from 19.2% to 20.7%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Essie’s share of searches among gel polish brands in New Zealand increased from 7% to 9%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Sally Hansen’s share of searches among gel polish brands in New Zealand increased from 3.3% to 3.9%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, DND’s share of searches among gel polish brands in New Zealand increased from 0.63% to 1.4%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Gelous’ share of searches among gel polish brands in New Zealand peaked at 51.8% in November 2025 and was lowest at 40.1% in May 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Gelish’s share of searches among gel polish brands in New Zealand peaked at 23.4% in December 2025 and was lowest at 17% in June 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, OPI’s share of searches among gel polish brands in New Zealand peaked at 28.3% in May 2026 and was lowest at 17.9% in November 2025.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Essie’s share of searches among gel polish brands in New Zealand peaked at 9.4% in July 2026 and was lowest at 6.8% in June 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, CND Shellac held steady: its share of searches among gel polish brands in New Zealand moved less than 0.5 percentage points.

## Top gel polish brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In Brandwave's three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Gelous and Gelish were mentioned most often, in four of the five answers. Gelish was recommended most often, coming first in one out of four answers that gave a list. Gelous was second, and OPI was third. Essie, which ranked fourth in searches, was not mentioned at all.

Brands get a higher AI rank if they are mentioned earlier in the answers that list options.

| Brand | AI rank | ChatGPT answers that named it | Google AI Overviews that named it | All answers that named it |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Gelish | 1st | 3 of 3 | 1 of 2 | 4 of 5 |
| Gelous | 2nd | 2 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 5 |
| OPI | 3rd | 2 of 3 | 0 of 2 | 2 of 5 |
| CND Shellac | 4th | 2 of 3 | 0 of 2 | 2 of 5 |
| DND | 5th | 2 of 3 | 0 of 2 | 2 of 5 |
| Essie | Not ranked | 0 of 3 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 5 |
| Sally Hansen | Not ranked | 0 of 3 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 5 |

## Every AI answer about gel polish brands

- Asked ChatGPT "Which gel polish brand should I buy in New Zealand?": 1. Gelish, 2. CND Shellac, 3. OPI, 4. Gelous
- Asked ChatGPT "What are the best gel polish brands in New Zealand?": 1. OPI, 2. Gelish, 3. CND Shellac, 4. DND
- Asked ChatGPT "What's the best gel polish brand in New Zealand for at home nails?": 1. Gelous, 2. Gelish, 3. DND
- Searched Google, AI Overview "gel nail polish nz": 1. Gelous, 2. Gelish
- Searched Google, AI Overview "home gel manicure": 1. Gelous

Not named in any answer: Essie and Sally Hansen.

Brands are listed in the order each answer named them. The answers were collected in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.

## Compare search popularity between leading brands

- [Gelous vs Gelish: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/gelish-vs-gelous): 43.2% against 21.4% Share of Search.
- [Gelous vs OPI: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/gelous-vs-opi): 43.2% against 20.7% Share of Search.
- [Gelous vs Essie: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/essie-vs-gelous): 43.2% against 9% Share of Search.
- [Gelous vs Sally Hansen: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/gelous-vs-sally-hansen): 43.2% against 3.9% Share of Search.
- [Gelish vs OPI: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/gelish-vs-opi): 21.4% against 20.7% Share of Search.
- [Gelish vs Essie: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/essie-vs-gelish): 21.4% against 9% Share of Search.
- [Gelish vs Sally Hansen: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/gelish-vs-sally-hansen): 21.4% against 3.9% Share of Search.
- [OPI vs Essie: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/essie-vs-opi): 20.7% against 9% Share of Search.
- [OPI vs Sally Hansen: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/opi-vs-sally-hansen): 20.7% against 3.9% Share of Search.
- [Essie vs Sally Hansen: compare search popularity](/demand/nz/compare/essie-vs-sally-hansen): 9% against 3.9% Share of Search.

## How did search popularity change for New Zealand gel polish brands in September 2026?

- In September 2026, Gelish overtook OPI to rank 2nd among gel polish brands in New Zealand, with 21.4% of the searches.
- In September 2026, Gelous gained share of searches among gel polish brands in New Zealand, from 42.7% to 43.2%.
- In September 2026, OPI lost share of searches among gel polish brands in New Zealand, from 23.4% to 20.7%.
- Estimated monthly branded searches for DND in New Zealand rose 100% over 12 measured months, from 70 to 140 in September 2026.
- Estimated monthly branded searches for Essie in New Zealand rose 17.9% over 12 measured months, from 780 to 920 in September 2026.
- Estimated monthly branded searches for CND Shellac in New Zealand fell 40% over 12 measured months, from 50 to 30 in September 2026.

## Share of Search ranking

| Rank | Brand | Share of Search | Estimated monthly branded searches | Change vs prior month | Owned by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Gelous | 43.2% | 4.4K | 0.0% | Gelous |
| 2 | Gelish | 21.4% | 2.2K | +7.9% | Gelish |
| 3 | OPI | 20.7% | 2.1K | -12.4% | OPI |
| 4 | Essie | 9% | 920 | 0.0% | Essie |
| 5 | Sally Hansen | 3.9% | 400 | 0.0% | Sally Hansen |
| 6 | DND | 1.4% | 140 | 0.0% | DND |
| 7 | CND Shellac | 0.29% | 30 | +50.0% | CND Shellac |

## Historical estimated branded-search demand

| Month | Brand | Estimated monthly branded searches | Share of Search | Rank |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Oct 2025 | Gelous | 5.4K | 48.5% | 1 |
| Oct 2025 | Gelish | 2.3K | 20.8% | 2 |
| Oct 2025 | OPI | 2.1K | 19.2% | 3 |
| Oct 2025 | Essie | 780 | 7% | 4 |
| Oct 2025 | Sally Hansen | 370 | 3.3% | 5 |
| Oct 2025 | DND | 70 | 0.63% | 6 |
| Oct 2025 | CND Shellac | 50 | 0.45% | 7 |
| Nov 2025 | Gelous | 6.6K | 51.8% | 1 |
| Nov 2025 | Gelish | 2.3K | 18.2% | 2 |
| Nov 2025 | OPI | 2.3K | 17.9% | 3 |
| Nov 2025 | Essie | 920 | 7.2% | 4 |
| Nov 2025 | Sally Hansen | 430 | 3.4% | 5 |
| Nov 2025 | DND | 110 | 0.86% | 6 |
| Nov 2025 | CND Shellac | 70 | 0.55% | 7 |
| Dec 2025 | Gelous | 6.6K | 45.3% | 1 |
| Dec 2025 | Gelish | 3.4K | 23.4% | 2 |
| Dec 2025 | OPI | 2.9K | 19.8% | 3 |
| Dec 2025 | Essie | 1K | 6.9% | 4 |
| Dec 2025 | Sally Hansen | 460 | 3.2% | 5 |
| Dec 2025 | DND | 170 | 1.2% | 6 |
| Dec 2025 | CND Shellac | 40 | 0.27% | 7 |
| Jan 2026 | Gelous | 5.4K | 43% | 1 |
| Jan 2026 | Gelish | 2.9K | 23.1% | 2 |
| Jan 2026 | OPI | 2.5K | 20.2% | 3 |
| Jan 2026 | Essie | 1K | 8.2% | 4 |
| Jan 2026 | Sally Hansen | 460 | 3.7% | 5 |
| Jan 2026 | DND | 170 | 1.4% | 6 |
| Jan 2026 | CND Shellac | 70 | 0.56% | 7 |
| Feb 2026 | Gelous | 4.4K | 43.5% | 1 |
| Feb 2026 | OPI | 2.4K | 23.3% | 2 |
| Feb 2026 | Gelish | 2K | 20% | 3 |
| Feb 2026 | Essie | 780 | 7.7% | 4 |
| Feb 2026 | Sally Hansen | 370 | 3.7% | 5 |
| Feb 2026 | DND | 140 | 1.4% | 6 |
| Feb 2026 | CND Shellac | 40 | 0.4% | 7 |
| Mar 2026 | Gelous | 4.4K | 42.8% | 1 |
| Mar 2026 | OPI | 2.5K | 23.8% | 2 |
| Mar 2026 | Gelish | 2K | 19.6% | 3 |
| Mar 2026 | Essie | 860 | 8.4% | 4 |
| Mar 2026 | Sally Hansen | 350 | 3.4% | 5 |
| Mar 2026 | DND | 140 | 1.4% | 6 |
| Mar 2026 | CND Shellac | 70 | 0.68% | 7 |
| Apr 2026 | Gelous | 4.4K | 41.3% | 1 |
| Apr 2026 | OPI | 2.7K | 25.5% | 2 |
| Apr 2026 | Gelish | 2K | 19% | 3 |
| Apr 2026 | Essie | 930 | 8.7% | 4 |
| Apr 2026 | Sally Hansen | 370 | 3.5% | 5 |
| Apr 2026 | DND | 140 | 1.3% | 6 |
| Apr 2026 | CND Shellac | 70 | 0.66% | 7 |
| May 2026 | Gelous | 4.4K | 40.1% | 1 |
| May 2026 | OPI | 3.1K | 28.3% | 2 |
| May 2026 | Gelish | 2K | 18.4% | 3 |
| May 2026 | Essie | 880 | 8% | 4 |
| May 2026 | Sally Hansen | 400 | 3.6% | 5 |
| May 2026 | DND | 140 | 1.3% | 6 |
| May 2026 | CND Shellac | 30 | 0.27% | 7 |
| Jun 2026 | Gelous | 5.4K | 45.6% | 1 |
| Jun 2026 | OPI | 3.1K | 26% | 2 |
| Jun 2026 | Gelish | 2K | 17% | 3 |
| Jun 2026 | Essie | 800 | 6.8% | 4 |
| Jun 2026 | Sally Hansen | 370 | 3.1% | 5 |
| Jun 2026 | DND | 140 | 1.2% | 6 |
| Jun 2026 | CND Shellac | 40 | 0.34% | 7 |
| Jul 2026 | Gelous | 4.4K | 40.8% | 1 |
| Jul 2026 | OPI | 2.9K | 26.5% | 2 |
| Jul 2026 | Gelish | 2K | 18.7% | 3 |
| Jul 2026 | Essie | 1K | 9.4% | 4 |
| Jul 2026 | Sally Hansen | 320 | 3% | 5 |
| Jul 2026 | DND | 140 | 1.3% | 6 |
| Jul 2026 | CND Shellac | 40 | 0.37% | 7 |
| Aug 2026 | Gelous | 4.4K | 42.7% | 1 |
| Aug 2026 | OPI | 2.4K | 23.4% | 2 |
| Aug 2026 | Gelish | 2K | 19.6% | 3 |
| Aug 2026 | Essie | 920 | 8.9% | 4 |
| Aug 2026 | Sally Hansen | 400 | 3.9% | 5 |
| Aug 2026 | DND | 140 | 1.4% | 6 |
| Aug 2026 | CND Shellac | 20 | 0.19% | 7 |
| Sep 2026 | Gelous | 4.4K | 43.2% | 1 |
| Sep 2026 | Gelish | 2.2K | 21.4% | 2 |
| Sep 2026 | OPI | 2.1K | 20.7% | 3 |
| Sep 2026 | Essie | 920 | 9% | 4 |
| Sep 2026 | Sally Hansen | 400 | 3.9% | 5 |
| Sep 2026 | DND | 140 | 1.4% | 6 |
| Sep 2026 | CND Shellac | 30 | 0.29% | 7 |

## What is being compared

- **CND Shellac**: Measured on the search term “cnd shellac”.
- **DND**: Measured on the search term “dnd gel polish”.
- **Essie**: Measured on the search terms “essie”, “essie ballet slippers”, “essie bordeaux”, “essie gel couture”, “essie mademoiselle” and “essie nail gel”, summed into one figure.
- **Gelish**: Measured on the search terms “gelish nail” and “gelish polish”, summed into one figure.
- **Gelous**: Measured on the search term “gelous”.
- **OPI**: Measured on the search terms “opi”, “opi nail envy”, “opi nail gel”, “opi nail lacquer”, “opi nail paint” and “opi rapidry”, summed into one figure.
- **Sally Hansen**: Measured on the search terms “sally hansen”, “sally hansen instadri” and “sallyhansen”, summed into one figure.

- [CND Shellac](/demand/nz/brands/cnd-shellac)
- [DND](/demand/nz/brands/dnd-gel)
- [Essie](/demand/nz/brands/essie)
- [Gelish](/demand/nz/brands/gelish)
- [Gelous](/demand/nz/brands/gelous)
- [OPI](/demand/nz/brands/opi)
- [Sally Hansen](/demand/nz/brands/sally-hansen)

## Methodology

- [How is the Brand Demand Index measured?](/demand/methodology): Where the figures come from, what they compare, and how they may be reused.

## Frequently asked questions

### Which brand is most popular in search among gel polish brands in New Zealand?

In September 2026, Gelous was the most searched among gel polish brands in New Zealand, with an estimated 4.4K branded searches, 43.2% of all searches for the seven we track.

## Cite this page

Brandwave. "Gel polish brands in New Zealand: Which are searched most?". https://gobrandwave.com/demand/nz/categories/nz-gel-polish-brands

This page is also available as HTML at https://gobrandwave.com/demand/nz/categories/nz-gel-polish-brands. Brandwave publishes an index of its Markdown pages at https://gobrandwave.com/llms.txt.