Single hen

[xChicken04x]

Hi all, Ok, I love having colourful nails. But once I've painted my nails the colour tends to chip off within a day, so I have to keep re-doing it. I must admit to buying cheap nail varnish (you know- the ones from Asda, 3 for £5 .) I can't work out if it's just because their cheap or if I'm just really good at chipping my nails. I also find it difficult to apply them as the brush is very small.

Can anyone recommend a good nail varnish brand that doesn't chip/peel off as quickly?

 

Thanks.

[Cinnamon]

I only paint my toes, never my fingers because of the chipping - it drives me mad.

I also tend to pick at it too

 

I like the Bourjois ones, & L'Oreal too, as well as Maybelline.

[Cooks]

One tip is to apply a base coat, 3 coats of the varnish and a clear top coat and you should be fine.

(I am a qualified Beauty Therapist, not working as one now though) Using cheap varnishes doesn't help but if you apply it like I said you should see an improvement.

 

edited to add if you can get hold of some Orly nail varnishes these are the ones I use and they are good quality.

[A chickychickychick-ENN!!]

I gave up years ago as I chip mine within miliseconds, base coat and top coat or no. I have had several friends swear by Mavala polishes though and they used to stay on my nails for a record three days. They come in small pots and you tend to find them in independent chemists. They're not expensive either.

 

http://www.mavala.co.uk/miniColor.html

[Cinnamon]

Yes, the Mavala ones are great - there is a good selection on EBay too.

I have a great turquoise glitter by them

 

Jessica are good too, & they are just from salons as well.

[fluffyknickers]

I am a qualified nail technician (but not working as one now) and the best way to do it is to ensure your nails are totally clean and oil free - we call is squeaking. Best way to do this with an at home polish is to get varnish remover and a pad and go across each nail and it will "squeak".

 

Apply a base coat, two of the colour and one top coat - and then leave to dry - do not touch!!! You can get sprays that help with quick drying. I am sure there would be some on ebay.

 

The best polishes (once again on ebay or pro salons) are by Creative and also Jessica.

 

Hope that is some help.

x

[Snowy]

I always use to have painted nails but never found one that didn't chip very quickly - even the expensive ones (Chanel ). I did have a Jessica glitter coat that was very good, but found the only way it didn't chip was if it was on acrylic nails. I never had mine very long, but it was worth keeping them on just for the polish to look good.

[A chickychickychick-ENN!!]

Totally with you Snowy. I had a very exclusive Chanel nail polish once and it went on clumpy. There was a big waiting list for it at the time and I had an advance bottle but it was rubbish. Never again!

[little cluckers]

I always apply my varnish late in the evening after I've done any jobs, then when I go to bed try to position myself nails so they're not touching anything (it's easier than it sounds). By morning my varnish has dried hard and stand a better chance of not chipping.

 

ps I also do the base coat, 2 layers, then top coat and I use OPi and have never had a problem with it

 

Good luck!

[mad house]

I use either Jessica or OPI.

 

Have a look in the phone book to see if you ahve a Sallys near you.

 

Not cheep but worth every penny

[stoice]

I agree with using a base coat and top coat, although I'm not a nail technician or anything. Base coat stops your nails yellowing or staining from strong varnish colours on for a long time and the top coat adds a lovely shine and helps prevent chipping. (I find if you wear dark colours it also stops it leaving streaks on things like papers, desks etc.)

 

Tesco do a lovely 'whitener' clear varnish that has some sort of UV quality to it. Great in a club under the black lights!! Also superdrugs 'Barry M' do some really funky colours and I haven't noticed them chip too badly.

[Alis girls]

I used to do mine late at night and would lie on my back with them spread out on duvet. Next morning I would have bits of fluff off duvet cover on them cos I'd fallen asleep. it could've been worse the cat couldve sat on them and they would've been furry!! I rarely bother now. I tried false nails and went to Greece on holiday and they looked lovely but kept coming off in pool. I've now given up. too much hassle

[miffy]

I dont wear nail varnish often, but I have found preparation the key and I found OPI the most reliable.

[Cinnamon]

Yes, OPI is very good stuff too.

I have the most gorgeous sky blue from them - my summer toe colour

[Guest]

I chip them like mad too - really makes it not worth my while.

 

I've gone for Essex girl nails now - pink and whites so that I don't even have to worry about chipping. It's easy for me though, living in Essex there are 4 nail bars on every high street!

[freddie]

Has anyone tried the phenyl/ formaldahide free nail varnish, please? I'm curoius, I only wear it on the toes, due to work, but the regular stuff makes my nails go all botchy within a few days

[tiggerlady]

I havent had varnished nails for a good few years but someone gave me a voucher for a manicure for Xmas.The beautician did basecoat,3 coats of varnish and 2 of topcoat(slight overkill?) but it lasted over a week,and even then it wasnt chipped,but slightly 'worn' at the ends.It was OPI she used..I have a few bottles from way back when and they are still good-to-go..not thick and gloopy at all,so I would say that they are evry good value overall.

[kitbag]

I love Barry M nail varnish (and makeup)! Not cheap but good quality nail varnish and it comes off really easily with remover but doesn't chip easily! Yay!

[kitbag]

I love Barry M nail varnish (and makeup)! Not cheap but good quality nail varnish and it comes off really easily with remover but doesn't chip easily! Yay!

 

Snap!

 

Went to the Clothes Show Live at the NEC in Birmingham a few years ago and got a goody bag full of Barry M products .

 

 

You are sooo lucky!!! If only i could get my hands on one of those!

[Sheilaz]

Just revisiting this old thread as I'm on a quest to find a good product and method and stick to it. Until now I've always been in a vicious circle of...... must think about appearance; nail polish; chipped polish & split, yellow nails; swear never to wear it again; bare nails; then back to beginning!

 

So, will try cleaning nails, then base coat, 2 of colour, and top coat, and dry properly.

 

Looking at Opi, Jessica & BarryM ?

 

Any updates on these, or more recent recommendations? Thanks very much.

 

This is a very old thread, but rather topical.

[lillybettybabs]

Jessica sticks on mine,

I was give a tip to makes sure there wasn't and oil or lotions on your nails, wipe over with remover then wash in

warm water and pat dry before appling varinish, Base layers are good too!

[emily95]

I love Barry M

I had the sparkly blue one on last weekend for a christmas concert

They don't chip easily and the colour lasts for ages The ones with glitter are a bit more difficult to remove because the glitter attracts the cotton wool and it sticks to it - but the normal ones are easy to remove.

My mum really likes Jessica

 

Hope you find one you like!

[craftyhunnypie]

I love Nails Inc or Leighton Deny nail care & polish. Fab for colour & for lasting.

If you hurry & buy Glamour magazine for £2, there is a free Nails inc nail polish free to try.

 

Emma.x

[Aimee]

I've always stuck to OPI and Leighton Denny with no problems. Again, like others say, the key is patience and preparation - cutting corners will result in chipped or smudged fingers.

 

If you feel like splashing out for a salon treatment, I've discovered the most amazing product called Shellac (by Creative). It's a colour which is used on natural nails and set using a uv light. The benefits are: instant dry, high gloss, no chipping or smudging - you can s"Ooops, word censored!"e a key across them and it wouldn't mark. I'm a nail addict (would never leave the house without properly done nails) and it's the best thing I've ever used. My nails look fantastic - they look freshly manicured even though I had it done 11 days ago now (and I've been in no way gentle or careful, doing quite a lot of manual jobs including a full clean of the Cube). The only reason to remove it or have it redone is nail growth. The Creative website says it has to be removed professionally but my nail technician said that the 'specialist' product that Creative has brought out for removal is just acetone. All you need to do is soak nails in it for 5-10 mins. The other tip I was given is that if a colour change is fancied you can paint over the Shellac and remove with non-acetone remover.

 

Definitely worth a try, particularly if you can't be bothered with doing nails regularly or are prone to chipping.

[cathybc]

Leighton Denny gets my vote too