New Year, New Nails!

I have a split personality when it comes to nail polish. I’m very much an all or nothing girl – it’s either a black cherry, a velvety claret or I go completely bare. I love the look of a dark polish on a shorter nail – it creates some sort of strange elongating effect on my stubby fingers and adds a touch of cool to an otherwise safe outfit. Having said that, I’m not one for upkeep. Finding the time to take the messy layers of polish off then having stained fingers isn’t my thing.

I read about the Bourjois Magic Nail Polish Remover on a beauty website – the author called it life changing – a tad overzealous but I decided to give it a go. It comes in a pink pot filled with a nail polish remover soaked sponge. Dip your finger in the hole in the centre, twist a couple of times (the blurb says 1 second – it doesn’t quite do the job in that time, but almost) and remove. Every trace of varnish, even black and deep staining shades, is gone! If you are wearing a glitter polish you may have to go in for a few dips to make sure there are no remnants. The scent left on your nails is fruity and added almond oil nourishes the nail bed – although I always recommend washing your hands after using any chemical containing protect. This beauty must-have is a steal at £4.99 – although even the most dexterous of us would face a challenge manoeuvring our toes into the pot – I suggest you tackle the pedicure with an old-fashioned cotton wool and liquid formula!

This cold weather has left my nails very dry and flaky, meaning even when I do go for a coloured polish; bits chip off within a day or two. I read that having a layer of polish on protects nails from the environment and seals in that all-important moisture so I have been experimenting with clear polishes. The first I tried was Alessandro Pro White at £7.85 which leaves a subtle shine. This pigment in this counteracts the yellow tone on nails and makes tips look whiter. In strong daylight, the pink part of the nail has a lilac hue which creates an overall manicure effect – although the purple tint can be so strong there is a tendency to look slightly hypothermic! I also gave the Ultraviolet Top Coat by Guerlain (£18) a go. The formula itself has translucent purple tint and the boudoir style bottle is irresistible. This created a stronger manicure effect, making my nails glossy and the tips stark white against the nail bed. If you happen to be in a dark club you are also in for a treat – the UV pigment means you will glow! I’m a sucker for a nice bottle, so the Guerlain wins over the medical looking Pro White for me – although the actual outcome of both on the nails was much the same.

Happy polishing!