Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

Nail varnish that stays on

36 replies

pontipinemum · 02/08/2023 16:31

I can never keep nail vanish on for more than a day. I just seems to melt off my nails. Even if I make a conscious effort to mind them it ends up all chipped (I mean half way down my nail) really quickly.

I want something that will stay on for a few days at a time. Any recommendations? I'd like my nails to look nice for holidays

I've had shellac/ acrylics/ gels I found they all destroyed my nails

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
watersprites · 02/08/2023 16:37

I can do ok with Essie if I use a top coat.

watersprites · 02/08/2023 16:38

it lasts ages on my toenails & can maybe get to 3 days on hands. I just bash them a lot I think

Iknowthis1 · 02/08/2023 16:45

I've tried pretty much everything. The only thing that lasts ok(ish) on my nails is Rimmel polish paired with Seche Vite top coat.

JosieOhNo · 02/08/2023 16:47

This maybelline one is good - I can usually get a good week from this

Nail varnish that stays on
SocksAndTheCity · 02/08/2023 16:53

Nailberry is my favourite, but Essie & Barry M are good too. All with base/top coats Smile

livethislifetoday · 02/08/2023 16:55

If you have oily nail beds there's not a lot that will stay on. Have you had gel recently? You saying Shellac makes me think it could be a while back. I've had gel recently and it seems a bit kinder - also massively depends on how it's removed.

Sorry, long answer to say I'm the same as you and there isn't a great deal out there, and maybe try gel again.

livethislifetoday · 02/08/2023 16:55

Sorry just seen that you also said gel!

Iameloping · 02/08/2023 17:17

This top coat on top of any nail polish.
Apply own polish, wait for it to touch dry. Apply top coat, wait for it to touch dry...go to bed so it can fully dry without knocks overnight!

Nail varnish that stays on
Iameloping · 02/08/2023 17:18

Oh and wipe nails with nail polish remover before applying polish. Even if you're not removing old polish.

papasmurfdontpreach · 02/08/2023 17:44

Mine are the same, it can last maybe 2 days max without seeming to vanish or chip off the ends. I find that Essie Good to Go is the longest lasting topcoat for me. Also any of Nails Inc glitters seem to be extra tough as a topcoat but come off quite easily.

Original poster
pontipinemum · 02/08/2023 20:39

@livethislifetoday it's a 5 years since I had gels. The acrylics I think might have been taken off badly. Do they not do shellac anymore?

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll give the top coat a go I think.

It's more than chips, it's like all the paint on the white part of my nail does not want to stay on, that goes first. And then it continues to go until there is half a nail left.

OP posts:
BunnyBetChetwynnd · 02/08/2023 20:52

Barry M stays on longer than any other nail varnish I've used. I use their base coat and then two coats of colour and it will last 3 to 4 days on my fingernails and a good two weeks on my toes. It's cheap. I buy it in Superdrug.

ZeldaWillTellYourFortune · 02/08/2023 21:04

Wipe nails with alcohol before applying varnish. Always use base coat such as Orly.

Seche Vite is good but fries my cuticles.

Batalax · 02/08/2023 21:07

JosieOhNo · 02/08/2023 16:47

This maybelline one is good - I can usually get a good week from this

I was going to recommend this one.

UnicornStarfish · 02/08/2023 21:25

Iameloping · 02/08/2023 17:17

This top coat on top of any nail polish.
Apply own polish, wait for it to touch dry. Apply top coat, wait for it to touch dry...go to bed so it can fully dry without knocks overnight!

Come here to say this!! It's brilliant.

Bearpawk · 02/08/2023 21:32

What top coat are you using ? Bade coat, Essie polish then Seche Vite top coat lasts a good few days on me

StarchySturgess1 · 02/08/2023 21:34

I bought a BlueSky nails kit and do my gels at home. If you soak off (and don't pick) they won't damage your nails and I get a good fortnight from them. It's quicker than I thought it would be to do it as well.

Treesinmygarden · 02/08/2023 21:51

I get Biab and usually get about 3 weeks out of it. I think they all damage your nails but I don't give it a chance as I get them done every 3 weeks. Might have to give them a rest soon though.

AtPanAtPan · 02/08/2023 21:52

like you I don’t get on with nail varnish - I’ve started using semi cured gel nails and they have been a game changer. On my second set now and they’ve been on 10 days and are perfect. The set before was on for 3 weeks and I only changed as I wanted something different and my nails had grown so much

its what it sounds like - flexible gel ‘stickers’ which you fit over your nails and then fully cure under a in lamp. The brand I’m using is moyou and they even do them for your toes

Eminybob · 02/08/2023 21:58

As above.

I use these and they are removed dead easily with no damage to nail, but wear as good as gel.

FrazzledMCPremenopausalWoman · 02/08/2023 22:06

Mine sound just the same as yours OP, they're both flexible and oily so the polish weakens on the white then flakes down the rest of the nail within a day or so.

BIAB has made such a difference to my nails - they're actually a decent length now for the first time in my life, and I can get up to 4 weeks out of a set before they start to chip. The first few sets didn't last as long (presumably because my own nails were still pretty weak and flexible underneath) but twelve months on I'm so happy with the way they look.

Original poster
pontipinemum · 03/08/2023 10:53

FrazzledMCPremenopausalWoman · 02/08/2023 22:06

Mine sound just the same as yours OP, they're both flexible and oily so the polish weakens on the white then flakes down the rest of the nail within a day or so.

BIAB has made such a difference to my nails - they're actually a decent length now for the first time in my life, and I can get up to 4 weeks out of a set before they start to chip. The first few sets didn't last as long (presumably because my own nails were still pretty weak and flexible underneath) but twelve months on I'm so happy with the way they look.

I've just had a google. This looks interesting. Any brand you recommend?

OP posts:
rc22 · 03/08/2023 15:31

Have you tried having a manicure done in a salon using normal rather than gel polish? I've found these last better than when I do my own nails.

jannier · 03/08/2023 16:22

I'm the same even gels chipped in a few days. I'm now using builder gel...it improves strength of nail has got rid of ridges and splits and lasts 4 weeks.

LadyVictoriaSponge · 03/08/2023 16:25

JosieOhNo · 02/08/2023 16:47

This maybelline one is good - I can usually get a good week from this

Was just coming on to say the same! It’s good stuff and all I wear now.

Swipe left for the next trending thread