Willow Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 Whilst on holiday I had a manicure & pedicure in a beautiful strong purple colour. I don't tend to do nails as my lifestyle isn't compatible with nice nails but I loved this. No idea what brand of varnish was used. I've tried to buy some purple varnish that looks similar in the bottle but realised they are pink and need several layers to build up any depth of colours. So some ques for those that do nails is - How do I tell whether a nail varnish is going to be a strong cover or a shimmer ? - What brands do strong colours ? - What brand(s) of nail varnish would you recommend and why ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercedes55 Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 I like the OPI range as they tend to stay on a long time and they do some really lovely colours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperwife Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 I use OPI nail varnish, its quite expensive, but i find its better than some of the cheaper brands. I dont use nail varnish very often, but when I do use it I want it to be easy to use and look good this has purple in it cathy x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 Opi is very good. But TBH I usually have a little try out on a small nail,to see what the depth of colour will be like. The new Boots No7 ones with extra pigment are brilliant too - very colourful & they last really well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndreaT Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 I like Nails Inc, they do a great range of colours and last well. Always use a base and top coat too, I know it seems like extra time and effort but it really does help the colour last. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted January 4, 2012 Author Share Posted January 4, 2012 I wondered about trying out so useful to know I wouldn't be the only person. OPI prices but discovered they do mini packs which look perfect for me to try out colours as I still have some nail polishes from years ago as I really don't use them much I like Nails inc colours I bought a set for my nephews girlfriend the other christmas as they do great 'goth' colours but they aren't really me. Now can I stick to a new years resolution to use rubber gloves when washing up and cleaning the bathroom so that nail polish will last more than 2 days Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 I treated myself to nail extensions before christmas, but filed them right back so they are a comfortable length. Because of the rigid acrylic coat on top of my own nails, polish can now last up to 3 weeks! Much handier than having to reapply every few days, which I would have to normally. Worth looking at the brands used by nail salons as they are much more intense and give good colour with one coat. Mine are currently intense black, and that was with only one coat! (can't remember the brand though ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 Leighton Denny or Nails Inc are very true colours compared with how they look in the bottles. Nails Inc being my favourite brand. They have a sale online at the moment too! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoice Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 Barry M in superdrug do really strong colours and reasonably priced. Im still sporting a lovely cadbury-like purple that I applied between xmas and new year and it only started to chip yesterday. Pretty good I'd say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keyhole kate Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 DD is another fan of Barry M and she does her nails a lot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffy chick Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 One word shellac!!! I am a recent convert. I had a manicure (having done my own for years) and it last perfectly for 14 days, takes no drying time and is amazingly shiny, comes in 2 different purples too. You need a uv lamp to set it (cost me £30 off amazon) which sets it rock hard in a couple of mins. It is amazing stuff I'm on day 13 of my diy manicure and I can't stop looking at it cos it's still perfect and feels so smooth. I put it on the day before christmas eve since then I've mucked out the chickens twice, the normal house work and looking after a toddler. I'm pretty pleased with it incase you haven't guessed An expensive outlay for all the gear but I'm set for life now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 A colleague does the shellac thing and it always looks nice. I gave up bothering with my fingernails years ago, but my toenails are always painted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 nail varnish never lasts on my finger nails, but does really well on my toes So I also nearly always have painted toes. Currently a very deep blue (a 17 magnetic colour which you are meant to run the magnet over whilst wet, but I couldn't see that it did anything). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 I never paint my fingernails either ,as work doesn't allow it. My toes are always painted though.....copper glitter at the moment,with fingers to follow for a party this weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 I use Jessica nail polish which I get from a salon. It lasts about 5 days before chipping and that is with having to cope with being in/out water, cleaning out animals etc. The colours are very strong. I like the sound of the shellac though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spinning Top Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 Currently a very deep blue (a 17 magnetic colour which you are meant to run the magnet over whilst wet, but I couldn't see that it did anything). Are you sure you were supposed to run the magnet over it? I've just removed a Nails inc magnetic polish and the instructions said to hold the magnet directly over the nail for about 20 seconds while it attracted the particles (or what ever they are)... There was even a little ridge to position it just behind the cuticle. Worked perfectly and looked fab. As for brand - Nails inc all the way. Great strong colours and stay on for ages. Some stores have nail bars where you can have a mini-manicure then buy a bottle of polish at a discount. My local John Lewis have just started doing a small selection of polishes or you can buy on line although to be honest, I bought one bottle that way and it wasn't at all what I expected. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 so that's what the sticky out plastic thing was on the lid! Hahaha.........I shall try again, thank you I did find it dried very quickly, and thought that was the problem. I did hold the magnet over my nail for ages as well. But, I shall try again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spinning Top Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 : I did find it dried very quickly, and thought that was the problem. btw, you only do one nail at a time........ Put the first coat on all your nails as usual and wait for that to dry then put a farily thick second coat on one nail only... hold the magnet jobbie over that for 20 seconds or so and then do another nail. Good luck and pls let me know how you get on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 crikey, just how long does it take to do all your nails like that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 I did only do one nail at a time, but I only did one coat. I'll try the two coat way and see how I go. crikey, just how long does it take to do all your nails like that? It'll take me a long time. Or I'll only have one nail done. And you can guarantee that by the time I finish the last little nail, it'll be time to take it off again as the first one would have chipped. Like the Forth Road bridge in miniature Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spinning Top Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 crikey, just how long does it take to do all your nails like that? Not too long - only about 20 seconds between each nail so less than 5 minutes extra for the full set. I'm not a girl for make up but I do like to do my nails. Nails Inc polishes last a full week for me so I just do them in from the of TV one evening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
