Brandwave

Gelish vs OPI:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Gelish had more branded searches than OPI among nail polish brands in New Zealand. Gelish had about 4,510 branded searches, while OPI had 2,200. Gelish made up 43% of all nail polish brand searches we track, and OPI accounted for 21%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about nail polish brands, OPI appeared in all four answers and Gelish in none.

Among nail polish brands in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Gelish, about 2 searches for every 1 for OPI

Gelish 4.5K searchesOPI 2.2K searches

Who does AI mention more?

OPI, mentioned in every answer we collected

OPI in 4 of 4Gelish in 0 of 4

Who does AI recommend more?

OPI, the only one of the two named

OPI first in 4Gelish never named

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Top nail polish brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, OPI appeared in all four answers. Gelish did not appear in any of the four answers.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. OPI1st
  2. Sally Hansen2nd
  3. Essie3rd
  4. Essence4th
  5. Gelish–
  6. Kester Black–
  7. Hanami–
  8. NSI–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • OPI4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • Sally Hansen4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • Essie3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Essence2 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • Gelish0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Kester Black0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Hanami0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • NSI0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers

See every answer about nail polish brands

4 answers
  • Asked ChatGPT

    “Which nail polish brand should I buy in New Zealand?”

    1. 1OPI
    2. 2Sally Hansen
    3. 3Essie
    4. 4Essence
  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What are the best nail polish brands in New Zealand?”

    1. 1OPI
    2. 2Essie
    3. 3Sally Hansen
  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What's the best nail polish brand in New Zealand for everyday wear?”

    1. 1Essie
    2. 2Sally Hansen
    3. 3OPI
  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “best nail polish nz”

    1. 1OPI
    2. 2Sally Hansen
    3. 3Essence
  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “gel nail polish nz”

    Google showed no AI Overview for this search.

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.

Is Gelish or OPI more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Gelish and OPI by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight nail polish brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

Gelish and OPI among nail polish brands in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Gelish, OPI. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthGelishOPIEssieEssenceSally HansenKester BlackHanamiNSI
Oct 202545.2%22.2%12.8%9.8%3.9%4.9%1.1%0.1%
Nov 202542.6%21.6%14.9%8.9%4.2%6.6%1.2%0.09%
Dec 202546.8%20.3%12.7%5.3%3.3%10.7%0.73%0.07%
Jan 202646.6%21%14%6.3%3.9%7.1%1%0.08%
Feb 202646.4%25.1%13.2%7.1%3.9%3.4%0.72%0.1%
Mar 202643.1%25.2%13.5%9%3.6%4.9%0.69%0.1%
Apr 202641.8%27.1%16.3%8.8%3.8%1.7%0.39%0.1%
May 202637.7%29.7%16.6%9.1%4.2%2%0.65%0.09%
Jun 202638.9%30%14.6%10.1%3.9%1.7%0.66%0.09%
Jul 202639%26.5%17.3%11.7%3.1%1.6%0.63%0.09%
Aug 202640.4%22.8%17.9%12.5%4%1.7%0.64%0.09%
Sep 202643%21%16%13%4.1%2.1%0.67%0.1%

How has the Gelish and OPI comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Gelish was ahead of OPI in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Gelish’s share of searches among nail polish brands in New Zealand moved from 45.2% to 43%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 4.5K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, OPI’s share of searches among nail polish brands in New Zealand moved from 22.2% to 21%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 2.2K.

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

2 changes
  1. In September 2026, Gelish gained share of searches among nail polish brands in New Zealand, from 40.4% to 43%.

  2. In September 2026, OPI lost share of searches among nail polish brands in New Zealand, from 22.8% to 21%.

How are branded searches counted?

14 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Gelish’s and OPI’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

Gelish

7 branded search terms

  • gelish gel nail colors
  • gelish manicure
  • gelish nail
  • gelish nail colors
  • gelish nail polish
  • gelish nailpolish
  • gelish polish

OPI

7 branded search terms

  • opi
  • opi nail envy
  • opi nail gel
  • opi nail lacquer
  • opi nail paint
  • opi nails
  • opi rapidry

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among nail polish brands

Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

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