Nail polish - do you get what you pay for or is the colour relevant too?

[Goingtobeawesome]

Just painted one set of nails with a Rimmel polish in a light pink. I can't see a name on the bottle. I paid about £3 and it doesn't look great. Do I need another coat or is Rimmel generally not great? I used to have about fifty polishes but are starting to build up a colour collection again and would like to have a good polish. I bought this one as I was actually looking for the Rimmel nail brightener which doesn't seem to be available now.

[ZiggyForever]

I'm a big fan of Rimmel nail varnishes but it does depend on the colour as to whether two coats are needed. The metallic Rita Ora ones are fab and you just need one, but there's a pale pink one called Ethereal that you definitely need two coats on. Maybe that's the one you have?

There's usually a buy-two-get-one-free offer on them as well so they're cheap as chips

[JennyTaylior]

I don't find Rimmel to be good. Needs loads of coats. And then chips quickly. I'm rough with my hands/nails.
Am a huge fan of Morgan Taylor nail polish. Sometimes only need one coat and it lasts really well.

[Goingtobeawesome]

I think it's a mixture of a light colour and me not being very good at painting the nails! Thank you. I'll have a look at the Rita Ora ones.

[Goingtobeawesome]

Jenny, thank you. Maybe not all my fault then! I've never heard of Morgan Taylor. Where are they sold?

[Cineraria]

I'm keen on cheap varnishes in order to have a big collection of colours and not worry too much about whether or not I go off them quickly but I do use a decent base and top coat, which I find makes a difference both to how they look and last. Some also thicken up and go on much better after they have been open for a while.

[JennyTaylior]

Erm, dunno. I'm overseas and they're in most higher end stores and salons. Have just googled and apparently M&S sell them. Blooming expensive though 😱

[RavioliOnToast]

I really like Barry m polishes. About £4/5 each.

[Killerqueen2244]

You can get Morgan Taylor nail polish from Sally's

[leccybill]

Essence polishes from Wilko are £1.50 and are brilliant! Go on a dream and don'the chip much with a topcoat.

[Orangebird69]

I've never had a naiil polish that only took one coat to look good.... but I haven't bought any in a while as my dniece is a beauty therapist and does my mani/pedi Jessica gels for free 🙌

[ShastaBeast]

I've become a nail varnish user fairly recently and love Essie most, however I couldn't find the colours in stock so bought 3for2 rimmell polishes. They aren't as nice but it does depend on the colour and finish. I find the block colours more unforgiving as they are so flat and show every imperfection. A more sheer or metallic polish is easier to get a nice finish with.

[MinesaPinot]

I really rate Jessica nail polishes as does my friend who's a nail technician. She also recommends Orly. I get mine from Nail Polish Direct. The high street brands I like are Boots No. 7, Revlon and Kiko.

For top and case coat I really like Nails Inc Kensington Caviar Top and Base Coat. Top coat dries in a less than a minute. Amazing as I really don't like their nail polishes - chip too easily for my liking.

[wispytree]

Rimmel have a number of ranges. From my experience the Rita Ora ones aren't great in terms of finish but the colours are good

I really rate their 'gel' range, especially the top coat.

[MartinRohdesBellybuttonFluff]

Another vote for Barry M here. I also like OPI. Chanel nail varnishes are beautiful in colour but don't last before getting chipped.

[Goingtobeawesome]

Thank you everyone. I never thought I'd have a thread in this topic never mind get more than two replies. .

I uploaded a photo to show how bad I am. I didn't do base or top coat which I know is a sin but I was being inpatient and lazy and couldn't be bothered to go back I put stairs not that I remembered about base and top coat

Another problem is I'm rubbish at choosing colours which suit my skin tone. I like light colours os they hide the chips better but then too light and you can't tell they are done .

[Goingtobeawesome]

I've seen gel polishes. What are they about? For false nails?

[wispytree]

That's not bad at all, and it suits your skin tone. Just scrape away the bits that are touching your cuticle (use one of your other nails or an orange stick) and bam - perfect!

[wispytree]

Gel polish is set using a UV light / lamp. It doesn't dry like normal polish. Some brands (e.g. Rimmel) now produce faux gel polishes which don't require a lamp to cure but resemble 'real' gel nails.

[Goingtobeawesome]

I'm going to take off and start again. I'll treat the cuticles and use a base coat. I find I can't sit still long enough for everything to dry so make a mess or chip within hours. Well minutes sometimes.

Are there any advantages to buying the pretend gel polishes?

[Orangebird69]

Gel polishes are set by UV light in approx 30 seconds a coat. It rarely chips/peels if prepared and applied properly so can last for 3 weeks or more. But it needs to be soaked off correctly or it will take layers off your own nails.

[Goingtobeawesome]

Probably not for a novice like me then. I've painted my nails for years but still aren't any good !

[Orangebird69]

Same! One of the many reasons I love my dniece

[EnidButton]

I like Essie polishes mainly because of the wide slightly flat brush. Makes it so much easier. I always do 3 thin coats, no matter what the brand, plus a bottom coat (nail envy) and a top coat (Essie).

I like that pink on you. Nice and fresh.

[Goingtobeawesome]

On my right hand they look terrible and I think it's because of my cuticles. Need to sort them out.

[lisam78]

I love the Maybelline 7 day gel effect polishes- I have a few different colours, they have a great brush, and with Sally Hanson topcoat I can get a good week before any chips. Cost about £5 from boots.