christmas present help needed. If you're really into your nails...

[ReshapeWhileDamp]

... I mean getting them done, doing them yourself, etc, then what would you regard as The Shit in terms of nail varnish, tools of the trade, etc? SIL's christmas present is always a nightmare (she's allergic to wool, she loves cosmetics and smelly stuff but has very specific tastes so I daren't risk getting it wrong). She does obsess about nail varnish though. What'll I get her?

A crystal nail file. They last until you lose or sit on them a lifetime, and give a really nice finish.

Does she have a preferred brand of nail varnish? I love OPI, but also a fan of Jessica and Essie (but can't stand the Nails Inc brushes). Depending on her favourite colours you can get some good sets of minis, or a nice normal size one?

Could you get her a voucher to have them done at a local salon?

It can be quite personal but I love Essie polish both for consistency - it is beautiful to apply - and i love their colours and also I find it has the best staying power.

Other great varnishes are Chanel for the classy, indulgent thing you get with using it and amazing, possibly the best colours but I find it chips easily . OPI is also good and has crazy colours and glazes and Jessica also very good. Does that help or are you now , sorry!

Re tools, I recently got a Leighton Denny glass nail file and it is fab.

Never heard of Essie - is it something I can get in a good dept store, eg. House of fraser?

I was wondering about a crystal nail file, they do look fab.

I used to be rather into Chanel nail polish (aons ago, think Pulp Fiction making Rouge Noir vv popular!) but I found that the blasted stuff, though incredible to look at and amazing colour, was horribly easy to smudge or wrinkle off for hours after application.

Thanks for tips, keep 'em coming!

OPI have got a mega gift set of 15 colours that I really shouldn't be coveting as I've far too many already here

Essie at Debenhams. And it's reduced. Liberty have it too, maybe a bigger range, I'm not sure. I buy it online generally, but I'm pretty relaxed about how accurate the colours are online.

I have one Chanel polish, Peridot, and I love it. I wore it for a week without any chipping/smudging - but I was a lot more careful applying it because it was the first time and I was so excited, so that might be why it lasted so well.

If she's into nails and doesn't have one, I really recommend a crystal file - I felt guilty buying mine, because it does seem like a lot to spend on a nail file, but I had my first one for nearly ten years (until I snapped it by sitting on my suitcase which had my sponge bag at the top) - on that note, if you buy one try and get one that comes in a little case. I haven't managed to break that one yet!

Phenomen Oil is really good at strengthening nails, which can be a useful if prone to wearing polish the whole time.

What's your budget? A nice top coat or base coat is never wrong if you do feel unsure about colours.

The company I work for (all about eco-friendly products) have just launched a whole new range of beautiful mineral makeup, among it 6 lovely colors of nail polish. The great thing about them is that they basically have no smell, as the ca. 70% of hazardous chemicals found in normal polishes/varnishes are taken out and replaced with water! This means the polish doesn't last as long as most normal ones but the colours are beautiful, it feels great on the nails and doesn't do them any harm, it's easy to apply and perfect for a night out/party/etc.

Our range also includes a natural nail polish remover, which can be used on all types of polish and - again - has no nasty smell whatsoever!

Message me if you're interested :)

That OPI gift set is gorgeous, could convert me to caring about my nails! but a bit over-budget, given that I'm hoping to get her another couple of things, a crystal nail file being one. Maybe a smaller gift set of polishes?

Thanks, PastGrace. Hmm, reduced. Same price as Amazon, I see.

Seche Vite top coat is the bomb.

OPI do lots of other lovely gift sets, most with less than 15 colours

That gift set is Nails Inc not OPI. I don't like Nails Inc at all. OPI, Essie and Jessica are my faves. YY to Seche Vite.

Check QVC website for gift sets - they do good prices. I'm wearing OPI Designer Series Extravagance which is purple with diamond dust in. It is the absolute lushest colour I've tried recently.

Oops - sorry! found the right link, but was thinking of OPI at the same time.

I was all excited, mentally flexing my credit card.... :o DH will be pleased though

How about the Nails Inc magnetic colours ? They do look groovy