Getting creative with my nails

During lockdown, it’s fair to say many of us have missed getting pampered and doing our usual beauty treatments at the hands of the professionals.

I have been dreaming of a facial and my hair could do with a little trim. Most of all I have missed having my nails looking all colourful and glossy. I really can’t wait to get my nails done again by my fabulous nail tech Candice from Nails at the Candi Bar but in the mean time, I have to do my very best to try and keep them looking in tip top shape at home.

I was super excited to attend the virtual launch of Sally Hansen’s new Insta-Dri nail polish last week and pick up some tips on how to get a great manicure and look after my nails at home.

Legendary entrepreneur Sally Hansen founded her brand in 1946 and became a household name famous for innovatively formulated affordable beauty products for real women. I’ve long been a fan of her Airbrush Legs product, so I was excited to try out her nailcare products at the launch which was hosted by James Patrice aka Malahide Woman and who was joined by the Tropical Popical nail experts and Pamela Laird.

Now, I am absolutely rubbish at doing my own nails, because I have zero patience when waiting for polish to dry and I’m also incredibly awkward so painting an area like a small nail does not come naturally to me.

However, there were lots of elements to this new polish that made me think that maybe this could be the one for me and I might, just might, not end up with smudged nails and polish all over my soft furnishings.

The formula is quick dry so I don’t need to wait around for age for it to dry.

It also has a three-in-one formula with a built in base and top coat so I don’t have to faff about with multiple bottles. It’s also 33 per cent more chip resistant meaning I get that little bit longer out of each manicure.

Lastly the brush shape perfectly covers your nail in one stroke and to a messy painter like me this really is amazing because it stops you from getting the polish all over the edges and on your finger.

Armed with all this knowledge on the Insta-Dri, I was brimming with confidence and decided not only would I paint my nails but I was also going to attempt a bit of nail art.

Nail techs you can breathe a sigh of relief as I definitely won’t be changing career and taking the world of nails by storm, but I definitely had lots of fun attempting to get creative with my new nail varnish.

For my very basic attempt at nail art, I went for a white base as I love how fresh a white nail looks and it works as a good base for other colours and then I added one large dot of the vibrant ASAP Apple and some smaller dots of a light pink shade called Buff & Tumble.

I was delighted with my nails and while my artwork may not be up to salon standards the Insta-Dri range will certainly keep my talons looking colourful during lockdown!