What to adorn the nails with?

Polishes are either a joy or a disaster. With the beauty industry crammed with different brands and price points, there isn’t a nail in London that cannot be painted in a range of different hues and finishes. So it is for this reason that I have experimented extensively, been seriously disappointed and found some real gems.

My personal favourite nail polishes are from the OPI, Mavala, Revlon or Essie brands. I have of course purchased other polishes (both high end and low end) and there is a lot to dish! In terms of high end polishes, Dior and Chanel have got to be the worst offenders- yes, I know there will be an army of fans who will be screaming at their computers/ laptops right now, but I purchased many shades and was disappointed each and every time. Dior polishes chip as if they were designed to purposely do so, for this reason, I stopped buying them (and yes, before you ask, of course I used base and top coats). Now let’s get started on Chanel polishes- yes, they create amazing publicity for themselves each and every season, yes they come in beautiful packaging but no, luxury formula they are not! These too, would chip far too often for my liking and also, some colours I purchased were streaky- in my book, when it streaks, it’s meek! Simple as. The other thing I've noticed about Chanel polishes is that if there are a few weeks where you go without using one, you open it to find it a little gloopy in texture and I shouldn't have to be thinning my polishes out, especially not premium brand ones. 

My low end purchases were from such brands as Rimmel and Maybelline, again, with the common disappointing factor being chipping. In addition, I do think the formulas were a little too dry. Nails Inc are another offender in my book. Whenever I've had manicures and pedicures in the salons (Bluewater Nails Inc team- you lot are great!) I've always left happy, but the colour chips far too soon for my liking. Other than that I love everything about the brand- the packaging of products, the prices, the shade range and of course, the shade names). However, some of the Nails Inc treatment products are, without a doubt, some of the best I've tried and these would be the Striptease Cuticle remover and the hand exfoliator (in the purple packaging) which I no longer seem to see anymore. 

So, what impresses me about OPI, Mavala, Revlon and Essie? Firstly, price points- between the four brands, anyone can afford one or the other. Secondly, formula- every single polish bought from any of these brands has withstood heavy duty jobs, never streaked and not chipped prematurely either. Thirdly, the consistency of these polishes- not too thick and not watery thin- something that some brands need to pay more attention to. Too thick and you risk not getting the colour you expect as well as drying problems, too think and you risk taking ten years to achieve a decent opacity. The only thing that is a little difficult is where to buy Essie and OPI from- I have to go to my local Sally Beauty Supply store for mine and don't know of many mainstream stockists. Having said that I have heard whispers that Boots will be stocking Essie colours soon- something which I am extremely ecstatic about! 

So, what are your thoughts on polishes, price points and formulas- do you notice a difference or are they all the same?

Ta ta!