I look for two things when it comes to nail varnish – a colour that stays put for the working week and a fun colour. To define 'fun', anything from a pearlescent pink to a vibrant aqua. It all depends on my mood.
CIATE IN JELLY BEAN:
THOUGHTS
Jelly Bean is a bright fuchsia pink is a summer staple and I like the depth of the colour. That's probably a weird thing to say but if you use it, you'll know what I mean, especially with two coats. With a good top coat, it lasts five days. Without a top coat, chipping happened after a day.
APPLICATION
A good size brush, distributing the product evenly. One coat will create an opaque finish. The easiest nail colour to apply.
COST
£9.00 for 13.5ml
REPURCHASE?
MAVALA IN RIGA
THOUGHTS
This was a gift and I had not heard of this Swiss brand before. You can buy it at John Lewis, Boots, Feel Unique and Beauty Bay. The consistency provides opaque cover with two coats and is the most beautiful candy pink. It lasts five days with a top coat and tends to fade at the top of the nail, rather than chip. This is brilliant for a muted nail look but has more umph than a nude or for work, where bright nails might not always be the most appropriate.
APPLICATION
The product applies evenly and dries quickly.
COST
The product may only be small (5ml), but for £4.75, it is worth it. I have painted my nails four times (two/three coats per time) and I have only used a quarter of the bottle.
REPURCHASE? Yes, plus other colours.
NAILS INC FLORAL IN QUEENSGATE GARDENS
One coat:
Two coats:
THOUGHTS
This had so much potential. The advertising images showed floral designed nails. Unlike other nail fads, where any texture or pattern is applied though various intricate methods, this looked easy. All in the same bottle... time saver or what?
My boyfriend looked at my nails and said 'That's a mess'. Why thank you, sweetheart. However, I couldn't have agreed more. The glitter was overwhelming for the flowers and the flowers were either non existent or piled onto the nail in twos or threes. I don't know if the more you use this, the easier it will be become. Mainly because the flowers have sunk to the bottom half of the bottle (despite energetic shaking) and so, the more that you use, the quicker you get to the glitter and flowers in a more equal distribution.
APPLICATION
All glitter or flower central. Glitter over flowers. Lumps and bumps. Really not good.
COST
£12.00 for 10ml
REPURCHASE?
Nope. I had such high hopes.
TOP COATS
Nicole by OPI Quick Drying Top Coat
THOUGHTS
Really speedy drying time. Two minutes for touch dry, three to five for completely dry. Very useful for painting nails in a rush but doesn't preserve the colour too well and does not prevent chipping. Every time I use it, the nail colour has chipped the next day, even when wearing long lasting nail colours. However, this is perfect if you are rushing to get ready and only want your nail colour to last for a day/evening out.
APPLICATION
Even and smooth, no bubbling. Quite 'liquidy' in consistency.
COST
£7.99 for 15ml
REPURCHASE?
No, I would rather try the Orly Flash Dry Drops.
Sally Hansen Double Duty Base and Top Coat
THOUGHTS
Protects the nail from being stained by nail colour and dries fairly quickly over nail varnish (five minutes touch dry). It is moisturising and seriously good at preventing chipping when wearing the Ciate, Mavala, Tanya Burr and Essie. Doesn't prevent Barry M Jelly Nail Paint from chipping after a day. Such a shame because the Barry M colours are so vibrant and eye catching. I also found that it didn't prevent the Maybelline Super Stay 7 Day Gel Nail Colour from chipping. However, I have only tried this once and I was in a mega rush, so it's not really the best test.
Barry M
Maybelline
APPLICATION
For me, this product does not cause bubbling and smooths the varnish to create a glossy finish.
COST
£4.95 for 13.3ml
REPURCHASE?
Yes.
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