Brighten up with nail polish

Searching for a little beauty pick-me-up this summer? Nail polish can transform a look with just one stroke. Lydia Fallon searches for the best (and brightest) shades on the high-street

A girl's best friend?

Nail polish really is a girl’s best friend; with just a single brush stroke it turns my unfiled and unkempt nails into talons of beauty. Unfortunately it is also my worst enemy. Patience is not in my vocabulary, so sitting still counting down the minutes till I get movement back in my life does not bode well with me. Usually I crack and end up smudging my works of art; hence the love/hate relationship! So in my nail polish quest, quick drying was certainly top of my list.

When it comes to colour choice I tend to play it safe (pink or red anyone?), but with ‘the brighter the better’ very much the mantra for this season’s palette, I threw my inhibitions out the window and tested out some of the wackier shades on the market.

Here are the results…

Bloomsbury Square 3D glitter nail polish, Nails Inc, £11

What girl doesn’t love a bit of glitter? But on my nails? I was unconvinced.  I couldn’t help but think back to my childhood when  purple glitter polish would probably have been top of my Christmas list, 15 years later and I doubt it would even be in the top 10. But I was pleasantly surprised at the results, it definitely gives that 3D effect and comes out as actual glitter rather than clear polish with some purple sparkle thrown in. Possibly not suitable for day time and drying was a slight issue, but it could potentially give your look a quirky twist on a night out.

4/5

Charing Cross, Nails Inc, £11

A luscious vampy red, this colour oozed Hollywood glamour and I fell for it hook, line and sinker. Nails Inc is one of the best brands on the high-street and I think £11 for a classic colour is a steal. My nails only needed one coat, it dried in what seemed like no time at all and has remained chip free. A definite favourite, I liked it so much I’m now sporting it in the office.

5/5

Instant Nail Effects Pink Fizz, Barry M, £3.99

I was pointed to this polish by a rather enthusiastic friend who insisted I try it. You apply it over your chosen colour and it creates a unique cracked effect. Definitely unusual and it does offer something different to the standard polish but I needed a few tries to get the desired look. The base coat of polish has to be dry before you apply and the nail effect works best with just one single stroke or the cracked look just looks messy. You also need to find the right colour match, the pink fizz works well with black or a navy blue but not so well with green or red!

3.5/5

Neon Green, Barry M, £2.99

There were a few raised eyebrows when I showed off my neon green nails to friends and family and it does seem to leave many people divided. It’s hard to find clothes that it goes with, which is an issue, but it will give a LBD a kooky edge. I would recommend this for the more experimental folk out there and it needs a few coats to really get that neon tint.

3/5 

The Winner, Charing Cross by Nails inc

Glossywear nail polish shade 17, 2true Cosmetics, £1.99

A bargain at just £1.99 and a really gorgeous colour. It is pink with a hint of purple and offers a high gloss finish and even a little sparkle. It needs two coats for maximum impact but will last for up to five days when applied properly. It took slightly longer to dry than the Nails Inc polish but would work as both a day and night time look. It gets a big thumbs  from me.

4.5/5

Glossywear nail polish shade 14, 2true Cosmetics, £1.99

A deep blue is a great alternative for those who want a classic but on-trend colour that they can wear all year round. This navy hue was elegant but fashionable at the same time and a colour I would definitely invest in again.

4/5

17 Lasting Fix nail polish in tropical island, Boots, £2.99

Vibrant oranges and yellows are all over the catwalks this summer and it’s a look that anyone can pull off.  This tropical orange shade from 17 looks gorgeous with a tan but only lasted three days without chips and not the five days advertised. The thick brush makes it easy to apply in one swift motion and you can get away with just one coat, which is great when you’re in a bit of a rush. A designer shade at a high-street price, what more could you ask for?

4.5/5