Mumsnet Talk

Every Christmas for the past 5 years I've received beautiful Nails Inc set from my auntie. Very good quality, lovely nail varnishes that last ages- but they're never the right colour.

I like red nail varnish for everyday, either a garnet colour or postbox red- and these sets never have a red in them despite it being Christmas! They are lovely, lots of bright neons and pinks and purples and blues and greens and glitter- but it's just not me. They get an outing in the summer months on my toes through flipflops, or if I am seriously outfit planning and paint them raspberry pink to go with a certain jumper

So I have probably about 50 gorgeous Nails Inc pots in a variety of gorgeous colours but as they really don't suit me and my style, I'm wearing a manky old Barry M red one which is starting to bubble...(my day to day budget does NOT stretch to Nails Inc!)

Im wearing a new Barry M magnetic polish in Red Sparkle.
Don't like crackle top coats but love the magnetic effect ones.

Also wearing white polish with various sparkly top coats from Models Own this autumn.

I love nail polish too!

French manicure with OPI alpine snow & tutti fruitti tonga. I only wear colour on my toes (OPI koala beary at the moment)

Starkers by Leighton Denny.

I buy from ebay.

No7 Thunderstorm, which is a deep purplish-grey. With SV on top it's lasted for nearly a week. There are some really nice new colours in the revamped No7 range, and they're £1.50 less than before.

(Boo to the new '£3 off cosmetics, but £5 off skincare' voucher, though.)

Take a bow by Leighton Denny. It's a lovely slate grey colour.

Toes are a deep, wine/red Nails Inc colour.

I buy from QVCUK.

Love nails inc Kensington caviar topcoat.

Currently wearing rimmel blackcherries on my nails. I love winter colours.

Rouge noir on toes
Dull Dior nude on fingers

Gellux in Magenta Rocks

There is currently (not sure how long it lasts, worked on Friday) a code for 20% off OPI at Lena white. Code is OPIVIP
I'm currently wearing OPI Strawberry Margerita, it's a soft but bright pink. Not very autumnal!

I am wearing Essie Ballet slippers, yesterday it was Essie Sand Tropez I also use Seche Vite topcoat only just been able to use it again as Im not pregnant now I need it to make my nails dry quickly before I have to feed ds2

Oh and I buy my essie from Boots and its 3 for 2 atm, currently have 6 in my basket but dont have the guts to order as last week I purhased 2 By Terry products so I think dp may actually leave if I purchase more cosmetics
I prefer the ones at Boots the formulation is thicker and the brush is just the right size for my nails.

I found the No7 Quick Dry Topcoat to be just as good as SV, and not as smelly or toxic. Which is odd as I don't rate the polishes themselves very highly (haven't tried new range).

I buy from ebay.

My best purchase recently is a Leighton Denny crystal nail file. Guaranteed for 25yrs and it's superb - I can saw back and forth and it seals the nail plate so no cracking and splitting. I've never got the hang of just going in one direction like you're supposed to with normal emery boards.

Today is Chanel Delight, a gorgeous gold/bronze as I'm wearing chocolate and cream tones.

I love nail polish, just not the 'effects' versions - I like classic, chic nails.

That's interesting pinot - might spend my next voucher on it.

Is the LD file better than other crystal files?

My first ever Shellac - Terracotta - and loving it. Had it for 10 days now and still going strong. When I do my own nails even with a top coat I'm lucky to get 3 days so well worth it. I've never bought anything other than Rimmel or No7 though so that might have something to do with it. How much are Essie or Opi that you are all singing the praises of??

birdy it won't, shellac is a hybrid, not nail varnish, no normal nail varnish will last as long - once you go gel, you won't go back!

clear OPD nail envy. Giveing them a break. Nail Envy is the best stuff ever.

val, I've only ever used cheapy crystal files before now and there's no comparison. I bought the LD one as it won the QVC best nail product award beating Nail Envy for the first time in years, so I figured it must be good. It's superb, utterly superb.

I don't use gels as I like changing my colours

YY to Nail Envy being amazing. I use it as a basecoat every time now.

Oh you have convinced me. I use a Barbara Daly one atm but my nails split like crazy still.

Pinot, so do I, change once a week ;)

and btw that nail file sounds amazing???!!!

Fuck it, I'm ordering one now!

I got mine cheap off ebay - came in the aluminium case still. I'll see if I can link.

This one