There’s just something about having your nails perfectly polished that makes you feel like you have your stuff together.
Something we all missed during the lockdown period, trips to the local salon to get our digits designed is one of life’s smallest but greatest pleasures and a true act of self-care. However, during this time, many of us honed our skills in the at-home mani-predi game. We learnt the right amount of layers, the best way to apply and the foolproof textures in order to achieve a paint job worthy of the professionals. Others tried their best to not much avail.
Like any good workman knows, it’s all in the tools. Investing in your polish wardrobe will get you well on your way to creating enviable nail designs that deserve a place on your Instagram grid. It’s all about the ingredients, not just to ensure the lasting power of the colour but also to ensure that your nails remain healthy and strong beneath.
We consulted the experts to guide your polish purchases.
Which nail polish is best?
Pro nail artist for OPI Iram Shelton reveals that the best nail polish “depends on personal preference and what you’re trying to achieve”. She adds, “As a pro, I always analyse my client’s nails before choosing which gel I’ll use. If my client has weak nails, I’ll choose the OPI Stay Strong base coat because it helps to strengthen the nail. If you’re someone who has normal or stronger nails, I’d choose the OPI Stay Classic base coat. I really like OPI gel formulas because they’re easy to work with, have a lot of colours to choose from and leave a long lasting shine”.
Rosie Briggs, CND Nail Artist says for her, “it has to be CND™ Shellac”. But, “If you’re more inclined to do a DIY manicure or you don’t want to commit to a colour for more than two weeks, CND™ Vinylux is great”.
When shopping for your hue, she stresses that it’s important to “Do your research and use a reputable brand. There are lots of brands out there that use unsafe ingredients which can damage the natural nail”.
How has innovation changed the nail polish space?
“It’s made it so much easier for people to achieve salon-looking results from home” says Shelton. “You can get gel-like polish which have quick drying times and variations on strengtheners and nail treatments. If you don’t like to spend much money on getting your nails done, there are plenty of ways of doing gels yourself at home to create a long-lasting finish but without the use of an LED lamp. I also think brands are getting better at showing “how to” content online which has made the nail space grow since lockdown”.
Briggs also reports that “when used properly, CND™ Vinylux Long Wear Top Coat means a polish manicure can last more than seven days! This is huge for regular nail lacquer”.
How many layers of nail polish should you use?
“Two thin layers of product is always better than one thick layer” says Briggs. “‘Thin to win’ is the motto for CND!”.
“It really depends on the colour and the look you’re wanting to achieve”, explains Shelton. “If it’s a nude colour and I want it as natural as possible I might only apply one coat of colour along with a base and top coat. However, if I’m applying a solid colour, I usually apply two. You shouldn’t really need to apply more than two coats of colour with polish. The trick is to apply thin coats and allow to dry for at least sixty seconds between each coat for a perfect finish”.
What are you favourite nail art designs/colours right now?
Shelton tells us, “Right now I’m experimenting with minimal nail looks. I really love adding a pop of colour to a nude nail so you’ll always find me creating something minimal but fun! I’m also a sucker for a French tip and I’ll always be creating different styles of it. It just never gets boring for me. As long as I have a nude base (usually OPI Bubble Bath), I treat it as a blank canvas. This then allows me to get creative whilst still being chic”.
So, which nail polish is best? We decode the biggest and most note-worthy brand on the market below.
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OPI
The three-letter LA-born brand is one of the most ubiquitous on the market where they’ll rarely be a salon in sight that doesn’t stock its gel or regular polish collection. The brand is known and loved for its professional finish with its rich hues, long-lasting effect and chip-resistance. Plus you can always get a good laugh from the nail polish names. Luxury polishes without the luxury price tags, the colour selection is varied with over 200 to choose from.
Our favourite shades include the perfect burgundy hue of Malaga Wine (£13.90), French mani ready Bubble Bath (£14.30) and the black-purple Lincoln Park After Dark (£10.80).
Buy now, Boots
CND
CND changed the nail industry forever with its creation of Shellac. The innovative, unprecedented formulation gave two weeks of non-chip nail colour with a high shine finish when used alongside a UV lamp for quicker and less frequent polishes. To this day, it remains an industry leader but has expanded with both this range and DIY variations with shades like the baby pink Romantique (£11.95), vibrant red Poppyfields (£11.95) and silvery lilac Field Fox (£16.90).
The Vinylux collection is designed to be the closest thing you’ll get to a salon-level mani at home with polishes that boast impressive lasting power. The ingredient line-up includes nourishing ingredients like vitamin E, keratin and jojoba oil to prevent it drying out the nails.
Buy now, Amazon
Nailberry
Nailberry launched in 2012 to fill a gap in the market. There was a lack of vegan nail brands that still had the same staying power as their alternatives. The advanced formulations quickly gained traction for their ability to stop chips, cracks and fading in their tracks.
The label took this to the next level with its unveiling of the UV Gloss Top Coat that was created to bring the shine and durability of a gel manicure that you can achieve from the comfort of your own home and with no UV or LED lamps required. Instead the cutting-edge creation uses a specialised 3D reactive technology that cures via sunlight.
The brand maintains nail health by remaining breathable and moisture-permeable so as not to cause dehyration. The brush is also designed to be precise and streak free.
Noirberry (£15) is our favourite red-black, while Spiritual (£15) is a soft blue grey hue that is ultra-wearable.
Buy now, Nailberry
Gel Bottle
If, like us, you watch a lot of nail painting tutorials, you may find the white exterior of Gel Bottle very familiar. It’s a brand beloved by pro manicurists and so not the easiest to purchase in your traditional beauty retailers. In fact, it is only available directly with the label. But there is a reason why it’s often the colours of choice for the creative content social media stars. The colours are ultra-pigmented and there’s a whopping 500 to choose from so you can easily find a match to the specific design you are creating. The polishes are vegan and cruelty-free.
Its sister label Peacci - often spotted on the red carpet - is more widely available and also worth your attention.
Buy now, Gel Bottle
Manucurist
According to the brand, Manucurist is the world’s first plant-based gel brand. The formulas are non-toxic, clean, cruelty-free and come from our friends across The Channel. Each shade is created to brighten your week and put a smile on your face every time that you catch a glimpse of your fresh mani - while offering that effortlessly chic French vibe.
The label opts for primarily natural ingredients while still retaining colour payoff and without impacting the planet. The colours that deserve a place on your digits include the soft almond green Amande (£14) and the pastel pale pink Blossom (£14).
There’s also the Petite Manucurist collection so your little one can get involved with the polished fun without worrying about adorning their precious fingers with harmful chemicals. This range is free from nasties and washes off with soap and water.
Buy now, Cult Beauty
essie
The brand behind the legendary colour Ballet Slippers, essie has long been a cult label and the go-to hue to create the perfect French mani. The legendary shade was the only colour that Queen Elizabeth ever wore and the combination of Marshmallow and Mademoiselle is a favourite of Meghan Markle.
With the royal seal of approval, the brand is one of the leaders in the space whether you’re a professional, enthusiast or novice. There are hundreds of shades across the collection of traditional and gel formulas.
Buy now, Boots
Gellux
Another label you may have spotted at your local nail salon, Gellux is on hand to make your polish stand the test of time. The collection is characterised by its vibrant shades so you can truly get creative with your colour matching.
Finally found the wedding guest dress for pal’s big day? See Gellux for the hue to suit. Heading on holiday and want something that will enhance your tan? Gellux. Looking to boost your mood from the cold wintery weather? You can be sure to find the exact shade of your dreams at Gellux. Just one to two thin coats should give a glossy polish to last over two weeks.
Highlights include the glitzy black All The Rage (£11.95), deep red with a hint of purple Velvet Vixen (£11.95) and eye-popping pinky Bitten Berry (£11.95).
Buy now, Nail Polish Direct
Dior
The French fashion house has made strides into the world of nail polishes with its beauty arm. The label has harnessed its knowledge of the luxury market to create polishes of an opulent degree with unique colourways that will sparkle on your fingertips.
The laquer has a gel effect which means high shine and durability. This is achieved through a specialised techno-polymer and Gel Coat resin that creates an almost mirror-like level or shine. Organic silicon ensures it lasts, while the brush encourages swift and even application in one swipe.
Opt for the iridescent shades and prepare to cue the compliments.
Buy now, John Lewis
NAILS.INC
You’ll often find NAILS.INC backstage at fashion week as the brand is known for giving professional results when you’re time-pressed. The polishes are instantly recognisable by their square bottles, which also handily offers solid grip so you can coat your digits with ease.
The label is known for their creation of special effect formulations but you need not opt for the bells and whistles to get a luxe mani-pedi. Go pastel with green, creams and greys, bold with vibrant red or clean, classic and elegant with the LBD in polish form.
Buy now, Cult Beauty
