Nail Varnish Favourites

Jesthar

starrystarry wrote: »

Hi Jes. I'm struggling to know what to suggest to be honest. I don't really understand why nail varnish would make your nails weaker. My only thought was that perhaps it's what you're using to remove the varnish that's doing the damage, rather than the varnish itself. The Cutex range has some good removers, which are designed to strengthen the nails (or at least not damage them). Also, no matter how tempting it is to pick the varnish off you must resist. That will take the top layer of your nail off with it.

Other than that, I can only suggest using a decent quality base coat or strengthener under the varnish.

Does anyone else have any ideas?

I have used Cutex in the past, currently I have a bottle of Sally Hanson Acetone Free polish remover (says 'for artificial and sensitive nails'). I've never used acetone based removers, I know what that stuff does! I've been doing a bit of looking around online, and discovered I use pretty much an identical removal technique as Collette (the water marbling expert mentioned earlier, wow she does some amazing things!), so maybe that isn't the problem...

I weaned myself out of the habit of biting and picking at nails many, many years ago, the only thing to ever touch my fingernails is my emery board, and I never pick at nail polish. I don't use a base coat, though, so that's something to think about.

Amanita wrote: »

Only to make sure that you use a good cuticle oil daily to conteract the slightly drying effects of the varnish and possibly try a formaldehyde free brand of varnish ?- Zoya for example.

I have to confess I've never even heard of cuticle oil! Maybe it's not the nail polish that's the problem, then, but a lack of a maintenance routine? I usually just paint the nails and that's it...

Maybe I need a trip to basic nailcare school, then - all suggestions welcome

I only have about half a dozen nail varnishes, if that - think there's some Revlon, Rimmel, Maybelline Express and Boots 17 in the mix from memory. Certainly nothing particularly expensive.

Thanks!

~Jes

Amanita_2

Jesthar wrote: »

I have to confess I've never even heard of cuticle oil! Maybe it's not the nail polish that's the problem, then, but a lack of a maintenance routine? I usually just paint the nails and that's it...

Maybe I need a trip to basic nailcare school, then - all suggestions welcome

I only have about half a dozen nail varnishes, if that - think there's some Revlon, Rimmel, Maybelline Express and Boots 17 in the mix from memory. Certainly nothing particularly expensive.

Thanks!

~Jes

Definitely worth trying some oil then - it will add moisture to your nails and improve their condition. Just paint it around your cuticles and up the sides of the nail bed and rub in gently. Don't do it just before painting though cos the varnish won't stick but it makes no difference if your nails are polished or not.

Twice a day is ideal, once is probably more realistic. I leave a bottle on my desk by the PC so I remember to do it. ( Improves the look of toe nails too if you wear sandals in the summer)

I use Ciate Cranberry oil cos I love the smell but Creative's Solar Oil is also good. TBH though most brands will do the job - even plain almond oil.

I always use a base coat but I wear very dark polishes normally and it reduces the staining.

Jesthar

Amanita wrote: »

Definitely worth trying some oil then - it will add moisture to your nails and improve their condition. Just paint it around your cuticles and up the sides of the nail bed and rub in gently. Don't do it just before painting though cos the varnish won't stick but it makes no difference if your nails are polished or not.

Twice a day is ideal, once is probably more realistic. I leave a bottle on my desk by the PC so I remember to do it. ( Improves the look of toe nails too if you wear sandals in the summer)

I use Ciate Cranberry oil cos I love the smell but Creative's Solar Oil is also good. TBH though most brands will do the job - even plain almond oil.

I always use a base coat but I wear very dark polishes normally and it reduces the staining.

Thanks, Amanita! I'll see about getting some cuticle oil of some typenext time I'm in town - hopefully Friday.

Is there anything else I should consider essential? Emery boards I have, plus the remover and cotton wool pads, but that's about it aside from the nail scissors for my (frankly horrible) toenails. Oh, and I think I have a multi-sided buffer somewhere, too. Got quite a bit of hand cream as well, if that's useful too?

Heh, been a while since I felt I was starting from scratch at something

ERICS_MUM

Jesthar wrote: »

Thanks, Amanita! I'll see about getting some cuticle oil of some typenext time I'm in town - hopefully Friday.

Is there anything else I should consider essential? Emery boards I have, plus the remover and cotton wool pads, but that's about it aside from the nail scissors for my (frankly horrible) toenails. Oh, and I think I have a multi-sided buffer somewhere, too. Got quite a bit of hand cream as well, if that's useful too?

Heh, been a while since I felt I was starting from scratch at something

Hi, I hope you don't mind me butting in, but I have a few new, unused bottles of OPI Avoplex cuticle oil, and I'd be pleased to send you one as a gift. I've got a stock because they were free with OPI nail polish. They last ages so I won't need another for 2 years or so.

Other posters can vouch for OPI's quality. Unfortunately nobody can vouch for me! :rotfl:, but I'm OK, honest :A

Actually I don't know if we are allowed to do this sort of thing - perhaps a more experienced MSE member could advise please.

Linda xx

Jesthar

ERICS_MUM wrote: »

Hi, I hope you don't mind me butting in, but I have a few new, unused bottles of OPI Avoplex cuticle oil, and I'd be pleased to send you one as a gift. I've got a stock because they were free with OPI nail polish. They last ages so I won't need another for 2 years or so.

Other posters can vouch for OPI's quality. Unfortunately nobody can vouch for me! :rotfl:, but I'm OK, honest :A

Actually I don't know if we are allowed to do this sort of thing - perhaps a more experienced MSE member could advise please.

Linda xx

Hi Linda,

That's very generous, thank you! I never cease to be amazed by the generosity of so many people on this site.

I *think* as long as you're not blatantly advertising you're OK (I have a beautiful hand tanned sheepskin rug purchased from a former poster here once I found out she made them ), but it may be wise to talk details via PM...

~Jes

Jesthar

Quick update, loving the OPI oil! Big thanks to Erics Mum! :T

I'm now sporting a rather amateaurish French polish - looked a lot better when I went to bed last night,but despite the near hour of final drying time I gave everything before bed the finish had gone all 'textured' this morning - from some material or other, by the looks of it. Guess I'd forgotten that the sheer length of time required to let this stuff dry fully is another limiting factor - how on earth do those who do their nails every few days cope? Anyone got any tips for speeding things up?

Still, determined to make a go of it Got sorely tempted my some Lil Bling polishes in town today - and confised, as my town has two Boots, and one had them on 'buy two get one free', whereas the other had 'spend £15 and get a goodie bag' (plus a bigger range of colours) - make your mind up, willya! :rotfl:

ERICS_MUM

Jesthar wrote: »

Quick update, loving the OPI oil! Big thanks to Erics Mum! :T

I'm now sporting a rather amateaurish French polish - looked a lot better when I went to bed last night,but despite the near hour of final drying time I gave everything before bed the finish had gone all 'textured' this morning - from some material or other, by the looks of it. Guess I'd forgotten that the sheer length of time required to let this stuff dry fully is another limiting factor - how on earth do those who do their nails every few days cope? Anyone got any tips for speeding things up? .......

It's best to apply 2 very thin coats, let one touch-dry before adding the second and it should be fairly set hard within 30 mins. You can buy various sprays and drops to put on the nails a few seconds after you've applied the final coat, and which will make them touch-dry more quickly. An hour should be plenty of time to avoid imprinting your nails from your sheets!

Oh, just had a thought - did you apply your cuticle oil before your polish, because that would stop it drying (sorry if this is a silly question).

Practice makes perfect.

Linda xx

VALM

I was in Boots last night and saw the Nails Inc lacquers on offer with the Coke deal. Looked very poor quality. I've found this with the freebie ones from them - won some via the Dairy Milk comp recently too and gave them away to my daughter (who then gave them away to friends) - and wonder why they do this? It's such a bad endorsement for them.

starrystarry

Jesthar wrote: »

I'm now sporting a rather amateaurish French polish - looked a lot better when I went to bed last night,but despite the near hour of final drying time I gave everything before bed the finish had gone all 'textured' this morning - from some material or other, by the looks of it. Guess I'd forgotten that the sheer length of time required to let this stuff dry fully is another limiting factor - how on earth do those who do their nails every few days cope? Anyone got any tips for speeding things up?

A fast drying top coat is a must. Sally Hansen Insta Dri Anti Chip top coat is excellent and relatively cheap. I believe the Nails Inc one is very good as well, called 45 second top coat or something. Seche Vite is supposed to be the best of all, though I've not got round to trying it yet.

borderlakland

[
Still, determined to make a go of it Got sorely tempted my some Lil Bling polishes in town today - and confised, as my town has two Boots, and one had them on 'buy two get one free', whereas the other had 'spend £15 and get a goodie bag' (plus a bigger range of colours) - make your mind up, willya! :rotfl:[/QUOTE]


I did not read this..I did not read this i do not need an excuse to buy more lovely shiney metaliccy polishes

i DID buy a no7 polish this week(£5 voucher so good excuse) is a speed dry one called beanie..bit darker than my beloved, but crappy staying power, jermyn street. been on 3 days and still looking half decent..
Valm.. i often wonder wether the free nails inc polishes are different quality to their "propper" ones, as had several different freebies and the quality is rubbish, yet loads of people rave about nails inc.

has anyone used the opi start to finish base/top coat, which other top and base coats do people swear by? I often wonder if a decent base/top coat can help any polish stay better.. also do people give their nails another coat of top coat after a couple of days?