nail polish question

**perSue** · 12-06-2008, 08:48 PM

ok so one of the "not so expensive" gift ideas i'm giving my guys is nail polish... but they have no clue - and i dont much either.

i used to always buy the super cheap stuff - but i get SO tired of chipping, flaking & having to touch up every day - literally.

My question is, then, what nail polish do you use/recommend that is long lasting, worth the price (ie, more than 1$ a bottle) & why?

I dont wanna recommend a brand I've never used & end up hating it... so I thought I'd ask here.

Thanks for now.

**Lilolme** · 12-06-2008, 09:01 PM

I absolutely love the nail polishes I get from Avon! You can find them on sale at times for $1.99. I recommend them highly. Long lasting coverage!!! Well worth the $2 you might pay per bottle!

**djbout** · 12-06-2008, 09:05 PM

I use Sally Hanson Hard as Nails products, I also find that if I put a clear top coat on the polish lasts longer. I pay 3 to 5 Canadian dollars for these products, I don't know what the US price would be but I assume it would be less.

**guest002** · 12-06-2008, 09:12 PM

I love my OPI nail polish. It is more expensive but sometimes you can get a deal at Trade Secret.

**Jskell911** · 12-06-2008, 09:12 PM

I second the Sally Hanson Hard as Nails! I love it and there are lots of colors

**LuvMyHubby** · 12-06-2008, 10:35 PM

Gonna third the Sally Hansen and the top coat idea. Avon is good too and I've had pretty good luck with the wet n' wild polish. I don't wear it to often so I don't worry so much about chipping.

**MomToTwoBoys** · 12-06-2008, 11:14 PM

You can get whatever brand you want for the bottom coat, but the top coat is what you need to last. I'd invest in a good clear top coat polish like Hard as Nails.

**Palooka** · 12-06-2008, 11:24 PM

Yep, it's the top coat that makes the difference. I worked with OPI for years and liked it doing nails, but the top coat of any brand makes it work better.

**cmdarlin** · 12-07-2008, 09:49 AM

When I could wear it, Sally Hansons. Now that I'm in culinary school, I don't wear any because I don't like to wear the gloves while cooking.

Debbie

**Lori Biever-Launder** · 12-07-2008, 11:09 AM

I use a LOT of polish since I put on a base coat, three coats of color and a top coat. I use whatever I can find a good deal on within a few acceptable brands. Revlon is my favorite. Watch for coupons and sales/rebates for it. I amusing some right now that I paid .81 each for!

I also like Avon and Sally Hanson. FWIW, Sally Hanson makes a product called Maximum Shine. It comes in a silver (Mylar looking) bottle. It is about 5.99 a bottle and is worth EVERY penny! It literally dries in a minute and gives the appearance of being wet while dry. It feels almost like a heavy duty coating on your nail.

**perSue** · 12-07-2008, 11:13 AM

wonderful, wonderful!
thanks...

i used to buy wet'n'wild a lot (cheaper!) & every now & then Sally Hansen brand stuff.... I'll definitely make a note to get SH's top coat

And i've heard a LOT about OPI, but never tried it. I'm gonna take a look online & find some colours to give the guys an idea what I want (ie, what not to buy) LOL

I've honestly never tried anything Avon.

lol
I also dont know any Sales Rep's in my area... but I'm sure I could find one.

Thanks SO much for your help...
I learned something new today

**phoeny_moonstar** · 12-07-2008, 11:14 AM

I use a base coat, 2 coats of color and a top coat. I find that you can use any brand of nail polish and it won't chip as easy if you do those three steps. I personally like the Sally's Hard as Nails.

**frugal.lass** · 12-07-2008, 11:43 AM

My one piece of advice is to generally stay away from the "fast dry" polishes. I'm not sure why but I've found that the fast dry polishes chip more easily than regular nail polish. Top coat is helpful but I rarely use it since I don't often wear my polish for more than 3 days in a row (I get bored of the colour).

**cab54** · 12-07-2008, 12:32 PM

Originally Posted by djbout

I use Sally Hanson Hard as Nails products, I also find that if I put a clear top coat on the polish lasts longer. I pay 3 to 5 Canadian dollars for these products, I don't know what the US price would be but I assume it would be less.

Yep, I love Sally Hansen's hard as nails stuff. I put some clear polish on first, then 2 layers color, then clear on last. This will make it last through hand washing dishes with a wire scrubber, even.

I sed to use expensive polishes in my 'spendy' days. Sally Hansen is MUCH better.

**Katybird** · 12-07-2008, 05:35 PM

I love OPI but I recently picked up some Chi nail color and base coat at the salon, they were in the clearance basket and I got them for $4 each. They are great, I have had the same manicure on for about 10 days and it is not chipping at all from the ends but it is growing out so I will have to redo them tonight. I am so impressed with the Chi nail lacquer and base coat that I will be purchasing lots more of it.