Nail polish recommendations needed (please!)

[cakeismysaviour]

Nail polish never lasts long with me and I am fed up of seeing others with lovely neat toe and finger nails. I need to know the secret to making nail polish last!

I have tried various brands, including Sally Hanson (?) which was meant to be chip-proof - but chipped very quickly! :( Have also tried base coats to no avail.

Colour recommendations too please! :)

pinkfondant, Boots don't stock OPI colour, only treatments. You'll find polishes in JLP (as vix306 said) Selfridges, QVC, lookfantastic.com etc

Essie and Jessica are best IMO. Agree Chanel very poor texture. Nails Inc OK.

I find the really long-lasting manicures are the professional ones.

When I do my own nails I often stick to just one coat of a natural colour by Essie or Jessica because it's quick, virtually foolproof and doesn't show chips. I leave anything darker/more exotic to the professionals.

Several professionals have told me gel shellac etc are very bad for condition of nails and should be saved for special occasions only.

I use OPI Nail Envy as a base and Seche Vite as a top coat and no matter what polish I use I get 3-4 days max before it chips and usually the tips have rubbed off and the white is showing within 12 hours. I keep them pretty short (white about 2-3mm max) and it doesn't make any difference if I take the topcoat over the edges of the nails. That's on fingers, the same routine on toes will last 2 weeks quite happily.

I find Nails Inc and Essie are the best. Always use a base coat (Nails Inc's cavier one is really good), 2 coats of colour and then a good quality top coat. To help 'seal' the colour run the brush along the end of the nail when you've done your top coat, I find that helps make it last longer. Another tip I've learnt is to only file your nails after you've put nail cream on as this stops them from splitting/flaking and buff them before you apply your nail varnish to give a smooth surface for the polish to sit on.

Gel polish definitely - lasts for 2 weeks on fingers and up to 6 on toes.
I was really impressed with how long it keeps that 'just polished' shine.

Got my own home kit from Boots to save on salon - they have a 10% off code now if you google it. (my favourite shades in Sensationail are Taupe Tulips, Coral Sunset & Pink Daisy at the moment)

No polishes or gel can damage your nails - but poor removal does! Never pick/pull off, avoid any salons that do 'grinding'
Just use foil/acetone method and a good cuticle oil after

I've had a month off polish after my nails started to peel (I blame the remover...). They're pretty much recovered now & this thread is making me want to paint 'em again. I have a new OPI shade I haven't even tried

I have been using a Rimmel Caramel Cupcake 60 seconds. 2 coats then topping with Sally Hansen Insta-Dry ( red bottle , white lid )I am getting a week before they get tatty. The colour is similar to Dior Incognito.

DONT CLICK ON BARGAINBLOWOUT LINK!