to think cheap nail polish is a false economy

[janelikesjam]

OK, its not the big question of the year!

but its annoying me, cheap nail polish chipping off, and its spoiling my fun

should I buy something expensive?

YABU. Of my two most recent purchases, the Chanel nail varnish was rubbish - barely lasted a day, whereas the £1 MUA one from Superdrug was fab and lasted 5 days without a chip.

I splashed out on estee lauder once. It was like cornstarch mixed with a tiny bit of water - all gloopy and horrible.

I like nails inc. I reckon though, if you are on a budget, I'd go for the cheap polish but invest in a decent top coat to stop the chipping.

No get a decent top coat

No. Chanel are rubbish. Rimmel great. Bourjois great. Get a good top coat, and don't have your nails too long.

I agree Chanel crap.

I like mid market brands OPI and Leighton Denny and buy on QVC /ebay for bargains

Best ever is Rimmel though

Good base coat and top coat and most makes last (personal pref. is OPI)

I have recently started using Nail Inc and it doesn't chip, I'd say it's with the little extra.

I have just discovered Leighton Denny - last forever even scrubbing the bathroom and doing the dishes only a fiver on e bay too

The range of cosmetics in Superdrug, I don't know the name but it's £2 an item or three for a fiver - the nail polish is actually very good.

Thank you, thank you, thank you

Ooooo maybe I'll try Nail Inc. and buy a top coat.

Anyhow, back to Housewives of Orange County

Nails Inc is good. Barry M top coat is great.

Housewives are even better but have seen this series already!

nails inc are generally £11 a bottle, but every so often they are given away with magazines. I've got 8 bottles that came on £2 magazines! Plus I bought quite a few on eBay.

I like Chanel, never had a problem with their nail varnish. OPI is good too, can't get Rimmel here. I've used Revlon, more widely available here, and that works well too.

YABU - Barry M and 2True are brilliant, plenty of pricier stuff chips off faster. I used to be able to make a BM polish last a long weekend with a top coat over it. It partly depends on your body chemistry though, some brands work better on different people. At least two people have told me GOSH stayed on their nails for ages, I have not found that...

YANBU - Cheap nail varnish is cheap for a reason.
At the same time, YABU to think all cheap nail varnish is crappy because you had a bad experience with one.

I buy Depend nail varnish. It's cheap (about £2.50) and has loads of funky colours that last for ages.
Another, mid-range polish that I buy is Isa Dora. they also have tons of colours, they do a line called "wide brush" which is easier to apply evenly with and usually cost about £5. they also last forever as 1 layer is usually enough to last 3 or 4 days, if not longer (depending what you do). Try these before knocking cheap nail varnish :)

Now, I have bought all types of nail varnish in my time. IME, nail varnish is one thing where you really don't get what you pay for.

I another who thinks Chanel is crap, although it;s a long time since I bought any, as I decided a while ago that it's crap.

I tend to go for nail inc these days.

Revlon gone really watery as is Boots L'oreal good. I was really disappointed with watery Essie. Mavala ok

Bourjois owned by Chanel or vice versa

Boots No7 ive always found lasts well, costs about £5? maybe £6

you need seche vite top coat - is amaaaaaaazing and then you can wear any old cheap polish and have a shiny, chip free finish

Rimmel are my fave - goes on well, good coverage and long lasting

also like 17 and barry m

Seche vitte is shite imho, my nailpolish chips the same whether i have it on or not.
Waste of £11 dont bother

another rimmel fan here...

Seche Vite is so bombproof it stops everything from cheapo MyFace varnish to the equally rubbish Chanel varnish from chipping. Well worth it, for me.

Jessica and OPI last ages.

Gel nails are fab too.