IMO, These £4 Nail Polishes Are Just as Good as Any Luxury Bottle
This year I made it my mission to stop getting my nails done 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 gel polish 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 instead in some good quality nail files, cuticle oils and nail polishes to do my nails at home. After almost a full year of practice, I've gotten pretty good at getting that salon-worthy finish, but it has definitely taken me a while to find the polish brands that I like.
Don't get me wrong—I've always been a fan of Dior and Chanel nail 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 under £4 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 in how I got on? I thought so. Keep on scrolling to find out if the performance of H&M nail polishes is as great as the price.
H&M Nail Polish Review
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 has every shade you could ever think of. I was immediately impressed by the chic packaging, and the size of the bottles is 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.
Before Using H&M Nail Polish
After Using H&M Nail Polish
My Verdict
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 to use. Although the brand says that one coat gives a flawless finish, I found that I needed two, 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 these polishes (apart from the price) is that they give that shiny, salon-worthy finish, and a couple of my friends even commented on how good my nails looked. The only downside for me is the lasting power. As someone who is used to gel polish, sometimes I find it frustrating when regular nail polish chips after just one or two days. Although this one lasted a lot longer than other affordable options I've 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 like washing up or opening parcels.
All in all, I really couldn't recommend this polish enough if you're 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 nails and needs a couple of coats.
Shop H&M Nail Polish:
This is the first colour I went for as I thought it was a stunning choice for the festive season.
Shop More of My Favourite Manicure Products:
To keep my hands moisturised during the winter, I always have a hand cream in my bag. I also love applying this after painting my nails for that salon feeling at home.
If you want to start doing your own nails, I recommend stocking up on files.
A basecoat and topcoat really do help your manicure last a whole lot longer.
Price shown is members' price.
This kit has everything you need for a flawless DIY mani.
If your nails are feeling a bit weak after one too many trips to the salon, this nail strengthener can help with breakage.
For a really luxurious at-home experience, I like to apply a hand scrub.
Opening Image: @harrietwestmoreland
Next Up: This Quick, Easy Nail Trend Makes It Look Like You've Spent Hours At the Salon
Grace Lindsay is the junior beauty editor at Who What Wear UK. At the age of 18 she decided to train as a makeup artist before going on to study english and media at Goldsmiths University. It was during that time that she explored her love for journalism by interning at a small beauty start-up based in Shoreditch. Since then, she has worked at a number of publications including Marie Claire and Hello!, where her love for all things beauty continued to grow.
As Who What Wear UK's junior beauty editor, she covers everything from the latest hair trends to the stand-out makeup products of the season.
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