The one beauty product that doubles up as an accessory to your look would be nail colour, wouldn't it? Nail polish is the simplest way to add that glitz and glamour to a dull look and it makes for the easiest way to switch it up a notch. Be it a cool-toned nude lacquer or a rose gold-coloured chunky glitter, the colour of your nails says a lot about your style and mood. And luckily for us beauty enthusiasts, there is an overabundance of nail polishes in the market with different finishes and formulas to suit every taste or need. But keeping up with the vast range and the terms that come with it can get quite confusing. And so, today, we've listed all the different types of manicures that you can get this season. Make an informed choice...
Regular nail polish
When you ask for nail polish at the counter, this kind is what you’re most likely to get—a smooth, lusciously glossy-finish formula. When applying basic gloss-finish nail polish, remember to start with a base coat and follow it up with two coats of nail polish and a top coat.
Matte nail polish
Matte nail polish is similar to regular polish, but the finish has no lustre. It’s no secret that matte polish tends to chip faster than its glossy counterpart. Start by skipping the base coat—this helps matte polish stick to the natural nail and last longer.
Glitter nail polish
Like the name suggests, nail polish is great during wedding season because not only does it meet the brief of being festive, it actually lasts a lot longer than regular or matte polish.Start by applying a base coat, followed by two coats of the glitter polish, depending on how opaque you want it. If it’s a chunky glitter, use the tip of the brush to dab it on till it sticks. Finish with a high gloss top coat.
Chrome nail polish
The rage a while back, chrome polishes tend to be longer lasting than your typical everyday nail polish. You will probably not get the same effect with a bottle that you would from a salon treatment, but the eye-catching, metallic finish is still great for a night out and can spice up a boring outfit in a jiffy.
Gel nail polish
Many brands now offer a gel polish that doesn’t require a UV light, making it very easy to do yourself. Skip the base coat and head straight into the gel polish. No more do you need to visit your parlour for gel nails anymore!
Breathable nail polish
It allows water and oxygen to pass through the polish and reach the nail, making it a healthier alternative. Think of it as a good in-between solution to sporting bare nails.
Five-free nail polish
Five-free nail polishes do not contain formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, formaldehyde resin and camphor, and hence, are a non-toxic option. We don’t need additional chemicals in our nail polish now, do we?
Longwear and chip-resistant nail polish
While salon gel nails offer a creamy-finish and last for an upwards of two weeks, the regular UV exposure can cause damage to your nail bed. Chip-resistant nail polish solves your chipping woes while keeping your nails healthy at the same time.
Quick-dry nail polish
For the extra-busy or impatient ones who still want vibrant nails, try a quick dry polish. These are also chip-resistant and 100 percent cruelty-free.
Here’s everything you need to know about nail polishes to make the right choice for your next manicure. Tell us which one you choose!
