Aibu to think all nail polishes are rubbish? - lighthearted

[Hullabalooza]

So, tell me if I’m alone here.

I’ve been used to gel nails for a while now, but concerns about how they leave my natural nails has led me back to ‘regular’ nail polish. I spent about £40 on a few nice ones from mid range brands in boots, and they don’t last longer than a day! I’m doing the base and top coat thing too.

Aibu to think that a decent, genuinely long lasting (4-5 days maybe) polish doesn’t exist? Or if it does, where is it hiding?

I use Nails inc and my polish can last longer than a week. Could your nails be in poor condition? If they are splitting and flaking nothing will stay on

Orly works best for me.

I have never bothered with nail varnish in colours except for a brief time when I experimented with it years ago. It chips almost immediately and looks shit. I just don't see the point. I buff and polish my nails with a polishing block, use a clear coat on them for strength, and my nails stay fairly long without breaking. I prefer the natural look.

I have not had this issue, they last much longer for me.

I don't like to wear polish much though as it is so toxic.

+1 on this. I've been an OPI fan and then Essie. But now just Orly. Plus they've got some amazing colours.

Following with interest! My nails always chip really quickly. Tips would be appreciated.
My nails are very soft and think so I avoid gel as it makes them flake/break even more after.

Only shellac works for me. I can sometimes get a shellac mani for a tenner on 'model' days.

The only polish that works for me is the Barry M Sunset daylight curing one. Anything else lasts me a matter of hours before they're chipped and ruined!
Unfortunately the Sunset range seems to have been discontinued, but there are a few still available on amazon.
Why does everything that I like get discontinued?

Use OPI chip skip underneath. Also how many did you buy for £40!

Try China Glaze.

I'm into breathable nail polishes lately, Nailberry is the place that I buy them from. They're meant to be "healthier" for your nails and made with friendlier ingredients. Their nail polish remover is brilliant too.
I often think longevity depends on different factors such as - the health of your nails, the type of impact you subject them to (housework etc.) and the prep you put into the nail painting process.

For example I always apply base coat, 2 coats of colour, followed by a top coat. I say that - but nowadays (since giving birth) I have left my nails bare!

I appreciate most the advice here will now be telling you to spend some more :)

The state of your nails is a massive factor in how long polish lasts. If your nails are in poor condition, peely, dry and brittle, your polish won't last.

That said, even when my nails were at their best I rarely got more than 3-4 days without a chip. That's exactly why gel nails have become so popular.

I use B&M nail varnish which was £1 and now it’s about £1.50.

It looks amazing as they have a range of colours and stays on for ages.

I do have naturally long and strong nails though and I always put 2 coats on.

I mostly use nails Inc, with base and top coat. My preferred nail polish is dior though. They have a nail glow that makes natural nails look great, but also it really lasts. Pricey though!

I managed to get 8 for that, the Essie one seems to be the best but the others will be luck to see more than a day.

My nails are in fairly average condition, I haven’t used gel for about 3 months and I buff and condition regularly. I do base coat, two colour coats and a top coat.

I am going to try Orly I think, and might give my teenage niece the other ones, after all teenagers have time for these things 😂

The Essence “Gel Nail Colour” ones you can get in Wilko are very cheap and last ages. Last time I bought some the woman on the till raved about how long they last and they really do!

My friend does her own nails and has expensive taste, Dior and Chanel etc.
She chanced upon Primark's gel polish and loves it!

The Essie gel type works, base coat , the polish (twisted bottle) then the top coat also twisted bottle and it lasts a week with 4/5 swimming/aquafit sessions. Normal polish comes off with one chlorine exposure

Ohhh also I keep my nails short, if I grow them polish chips more easily

I use Barry M base coat, Essie Speed Setter top coat. Colours from Essie, Rimmel or Barry M usually. I get 5 days daily with no chips, and sometimes up to a week. Gloves for washing up / cleaning, handcream several times a day

No 7 is the best I have found - I have been using their nail varnishes for almost 20 years (!) and they always last really well.

Try dehydrating your nails before base coat to give it the best chance of sticking.
Isopropyl Alcohol or a quick swipe of acetone will do fine. Cleans off any residual oils.
Always clean up at the sides of your nails and cuticles as that can cause lifting and cap the tips.

I've been quite impressed with Maybelline super stay seven days. It lasted for my ten day holiday with me just touching up the tips a couple of times.

I swear by Dior Nail Glow - just one coat gives a groomed finish. Almost like a hint of French polish. Lasts really well