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.

So not real gel polishes but I could manage the gel,effect ones? They are removed with normal polish remover?

Kiko polishes rock, and are frequently on sale for 2 or 3 quid.

I do my own nails but find you need a combination of good nailcare and application, you really do need to allocate a bit of time and it pays off in the long run and of course, the type of polish. Agree about Chanel, doesn't last on me at all.

I do a thin base coat, let it dry, one thin coat of colour, dry and follow it with a second coat and finish with a proper top coat. Most often I use OPI polishes but I have used gel effect types and got good results. I remove with ordinary polish remover and start the conditioning process again. I think the combination of the oil and the massaging keeps my cuticles in good condition and stimulates the blood supply to the nail bed, which promotes growth and strength.

I spend all day typing and my home manicures last on average a week to 10 days.

I think it makes a huge difference if you use base and top coat. I usually use OPI Nail Envy as I have quite soft nails and it's excellent for prolonging coverage and minimising chips. Having said that there is a big difference between brands, like others I've never got on with Chanel (seems to chip instantly even though their colours are gorgeous) and I usually use Leighton Denny or OPI, both of which are excellent. I'm currently using an Autograph one which has pleasantly surprised me too. I always use relatively thin coats, one of base, 2 of varnish and then top coat on top and that ensures colour is even. And plenty of hand cream and cuticle care as well!

Rimmel is quite good. But any polish needs a base and top coat, and two colour coats, for an even result.

I mostly wear Essie polishes but have Rimmel and Barry M too and they are all pretty much equal when it comes to how they look and last. Sometimes one colour within the same collection is different from the others, I have some Essie polishes that are thinner and harder to apply well even though most of them are great.

I'm going to start looking after my nails more as I did like them polished and used to do them a lot but then kids, animals, etc came along...

I'm going shopping tomorrow -

So - base coat, top coat, colour suggestions for my skin tone would be great and anything else I may have missed. I need a polish remover too as mine is nearly empty but I'm not sure if it's a good one. Need one that's not too smelly if possible too.

Essie I think is the make I buy more often than not and it's v v good.

I have had ont bottle of Essie and liked it but there's no stockists near me. Sometimes they are freebies with magazines so will keep an eye out. Definitely getting some tomorrow. Thank you.

Boots stock Essie now Going. (Sorry if you already know that. I guess they won't have the same stock in all stores.)

I bought Kiko polish on sale - £5 for 5. Never tried it before. Total waste of £5, peels after a day.

Max Factor seems good. Rimmel also good in fact but Max Factor probably lasts 5 days whereas Rimmel will do 3.

Oh I love that colour, I wish you could see the name of it

Thank you Enid. I didn't know.

OptimisticOllie - I'll go to the shop tomorrow and look at the label for the name.

There was a Rimmel in Asda, number 7033 called fit for a princess but I can't see a corresponding number on my one so I'll look again when I go to the shop I actually bought it from. The colour looked the same.

I love Wilko nail polish its brilliant. I just top with Sally Hansen Gel topcoat and use Nails Inc Seaweed base coat.

OP, I think your nails look lovely in your photo! I was expecting some transparent pink with colour in one corner and diluted colour in another, but your photo is quite uniform. It's a lovely shade of pink too. Can you photograph the bottle? I might go and buy one!

Sorry OP, but I disagree it suits your skin tone, I think it's a tad orangey so it looks 'wrong.' Those colours look dire on me too. A different colour and maybe tidy up the edges ? Rimmel are great ime ,I also love Sally Hansen - last ages,never split in the bottle and easy to apply as the brush is perfect. 💅

I am using the rimmel gel polishes at the moment. I wear a very pale pink or neutral shade. I find they are lasting a good 5 or 6 days and I am very hard on my nails - constantly washing up or cleaning without gloves on!
If you are looking for a nail brightener, Aldi have a really nice one, but it's not always in stock, so buy it when you see it if you want one!

The Aldi nail brightner is amazing ,I stock up. It's in atm.

Ok' I'm back. A lovely lady in Sainsbury's helped me as I couldn't see the name. It's number 203 and is called lose your lingerie.

Orangey? It's pink .

I bought the autograph set from M and S just now. It's three colours and two treatments - well base and top coat I think. Couldn't read the tiny writing. Going on what dh said it said.

I think we have a Lidl but no Aldi that I know of.

I like nails inc.

Pricey at £15 a bottle but you can get gift sets on the sale and the polish is long lasting and beautiful colours.

I just bought the sparkle like a unicorn set which is 2 bottles for £15.

www.nailsinc.com/collections/nails-inc-sparkle-like-a-unicorn-nail-polish-duo-kit_1590/#reviewAnchorId

M&S Autograph are brilliant for drying quickly and staying on without chips. Some of the colours are not to my taste but many are great - I would recommend.

I've done my toes and it's amazing how much better I feel now I have painted nails.

Tk Maxx often has more expensive brands like OPI, Nails Inc and Leighton Denny sets at much cheaper prices. Also once you know what brands and shades you like, eBay is your friend -- just watch for high postage charges.
That said, I have a Rimmel one in a nude shade (Kate Moss range I think) which goes on well and has a lovely. wide brush. Cheap but very good value.

If you have a co-op near you they do this amazingly cheap brand of make-up called Binky. Their texture polish is AMAZING.