This year I made it my mission to stop getting my nails done in order to save some money. I find that my nails grow pretty quickly which meant that I used to have to go for a manicure every two to three weeks to get my gels redone, and it was costing me a small fortune. So, in a bid to save my bank account (and my nail health) I said goodbye to gel manis, and invested in some good quality nail files, cuticle oils and nail polishes to do my manicures at home.
After almost a full year of practise, I’ve gotten pretty good at getting that salon-worthy finish, but it has definitely taken me a while to find the nail polish brands that I like. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve always been a fan of Chanel and Dior polishes, but this year I’ve been on the hunt for more affordable options so that I can stock up on a range of colours. I’ve tried all of the classic options from the likes of Boots and Superdrug, but on a shopping trip to H&M a few months ago, I discovered that the high-street store does a huge range of nail polishes for only £3.99 each! I don’t know about you, but I didn’t even know that H&M sold nail products, so after discovering just how reasonable they were, I couldn’t wait to give them a go. Interested on how I got on? I thought so. Keep on scrolling for everything you need to know…
I picked up a few colours from the range that I thought were perfect for this time of year, but trust me when I say that H&M have every shade you could ever think of. I was immediately impressed by the chic packaging, and I thought that the size of the nail polish was great considering the price. After doing some research on the H&M website, I found out that the polish features a high-gloss formula, and the brand says that just one coat will give a flawless finish. So, after filing and buffing my nails and prepping my cuticles, it was time to give it a go.
My first thought when using the polish was how easy it was to apply. The brush is the perfect size, and the formula isn’t thick or gloopy. I can sometimes make a bit of a mess when doing my nails, but this product was quick and easy. Although the brand said that one coat would give a flawless finish, I personally found that two coats was the right amount, as the colour wasn’t strong enough from just one application. That being said, the polish dried really quickly so applying two coats took me no time at all, and I was so happy with the result.
My favourite thing about this polish (apart from the price) is that it gives that shiny, salon-worthy finish, and a couple of my friends even commented on how good my nails looked after using this. The only downside for me is the lasting power. As someone who is used to gels, sometimes I can find it frustrating when regular nail polishes chip after one or two days. Although this one lasted a lot longer than other affordable options I have tried, it still started chipping after around four to five days, but removing it and applying a fresh coat wasn’t a hassle. Plus, you could definitely make the polish last longer by wearing protective gloves when doing things such as washing up or opening parcels.
All in all, I really couldn’t recommend this polish enough if you are looking for a more affordable way to do your nails this winter. The shade range, the formula and the packaging are such good quality for the price, and although it doesn’t last as long as an in-salon manicure, it’s great for those of you who don’t mind redoing your nails every week or so.
Pros: Affordable, chic packaging, great colour range, easy to apply and beautiful finish
Cons: Doesn’t last that long on the nail and needs a couple of coats
Next Up: This Quick, Easy Nail Trend Makes It Look Like You’ve Spent Hours At the Salon
Main Image: @harrietwestmoreland
