MY saviour for keeping my hands looking put together, without a visit to the nail salon, has been nude nail polish.
It’s forgiving on mistakes and chips, and I never have to worry about it clashing with my outfit. Here’s three of the best.
BUDGET
It takes longer to dry than the advertised 60 seconds, but for £2 it’s hard to complain
Revolution Express nail varnish in Bare Nude, £2 for 10ml, .com: I don’t think there’s a cheaper range of nail varnishes on the High street.
Yet, by a huge stroke of luck you’d never know it costs less than a cup of .
I love the rosy undertones to this colour, which is opaque with one coat.
It takes longer to dry than the advertised 60 seconds, but is still quicker than most polishes.
My only gripe is that the brush is quite large – so I have to pay close attention not to paint the skin either side of my small nail beds, but that won’t be a problem for everyone.
MID-RANGE
I’ve only had to repurchase it twice in nine months, making it very cost effective
Essie To The Rescue Nail Polish, £10.99 for 13.5ml, Boots: I discovered this in January when it launched, and it’s the product that cemented my decision to go gel-free this year.
Not only is it the perfect sheer-pink polish, but the formula also strengthens and helps them grow faster – I notice a difference in just a week of wearing.
You don’t need to use a base or top coat with it, which cuts down on the time it takes to apply, and it dries with a gel like shine.
Unfortunately, the formula does thicken up after a few months of regular use, but I’ve only had to repurchase it twice in nine months, which has cost me far less than fortnightly manicures would have.
LUXURY
The formula is packed with aloe vera, ginseng and a cocktail of vitamins Biosculpture Gemini Polish in A Breath Of Fresh Air, £15.50 biosculpture.co.uk: Before going cold turkey, Biosculpture was my gel manicure of choice, and I really love that their Gemini polish range comes in exactly the same shades as the professional builder gel.
Now I’m DIY-ing, it means I can still use the shades I loved the most, and it was great to be able to touch up any chips between appointments.
It’s fast drying, long wearing and the formula is packed with aloe vera, ginseng and a cocktail of vitamins to help keep nails healthy.
Pick of the week
This set from Maison L’Occitane en Provence is our recommended pick of the week
IF YOU’RE in the market for a new perfume then check out Maison L’Occitane en Provence.
Flora Orchestra Fragrance Collection, from £65 for 100ml, is a 14-strong line-up of Eau De Parfums and Eau De Toilettes made from fruits, flowers and botanicals.
Think wisteria, violet, apricot alongside musk, vanilla and cedarwoods – there’s really something for everyone, no matter your taste. Shop now at loccitane.com.
