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4You Beauty Board Tests: Nail Polish

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 9, 2008

Shu Uemura Nail Enamel Supplement Mineral

Available at Sephora, Nordstrom and various online retailers; $16

"Formulated with seaweed extracts, it protects against dryness and promotes stronger, healthier nails."

Rating: A

Cloe says: My expectations were high for this nail polish. The high-end Japanese cosmetics line was developed by the late Hollywood makeup artist Shu Uemura, who was legendary for creating no-nonsense skin care and cosmetics that perform. I chose an earthy tone with a nice shimmer called "Gold Beige" and headed to my nail appointment. The tech applied a basecoat and then the polish, two coats. It spread smoothly with no gooeyness. The polish is a bit thicker than some I've tried, but it dried quickly to a high-gloss shine. Then, the real test: How long would it last? Well, it was at least five days before the color on my fingernails chipped. On my toes, it's been three weeks. The polish gets extra points for being formaldehyde and toluene-free. Shu didn't disappoint. Good news for my nails; not so good for my wallet.

Cloe Cabrera, 41, is the fashion and beauty writer for the Tribune.

Essie Nail Polish

Available at shopzilla.com, essie.com and some nail salons; $5 or less.

"Chip-resistant formula, outstanding durability and fashion-forward color selection far superior to anything else on the market."

Rating: C-

Michelle says: Oh, Essie, don't you be lying to me. Because I'm a Beauty Board tester, and I will hold you to your grandiose promises. The first time I wore my "Wrapped in Rubies" polish (a shimmery berry color), I delighted in the easy application. Quick, smooth and such a pretty tint! But I'm one tough customer. My free time is spent tacking up a horse, pulling weeds from a garden, dicing and chopping in the kitchen. And within hours, the color started to chip away. "Did you put on a base coat?" a colleague asked. Negative. So I tried again with a clear undercoat. A day later, I had the chip thing going again. Essie, you're not a bad product for the money. But you're nothing special.

Michelle Bearden, 53, covers faith and values for the Tribune.

Nic's Sticks Paint and Go Nail Lacquer by OPI

Available at Target and Wal-Mart; $8 or less

"Long-wearing, fast-drying and convenient."

Rating: A

Kim says: I HATE to paint my nails! I always do my toes, but rarely my hands, because it's just too hard to get it right. I worry the bottle will topple over, and it's impossible for me to get the proper amount of polish on the brush. I'd heard of polish pens, but I never tried one before I got a hold of Nic's Sticks by OPI. Now, I LOVE to paint my nails! I did my toes first with Date Night, a daring red, and they looked so good, I tried the pale pink Are We There Yet? on my hands. You just pump polish onto the brush and paint - it's easy to get the right amount. No spills, no glops. The pens come in 24 shades, and they're small, so you can keep them in your purse for a quick touchup. Warning: You'll need that touchup if, like me, you try to get away with one coat. It won't last! It'll take two coats, at least.

Kim Franke-Folstad, 49, is senior features editor at the Tribune and editor of 4you.

Sally Hansen Color Quick Fast Dry Nail Color Pen

Available at most Walgreen's, CVS, Wal-Mart, Kmart, Target and Albertsons stores; $7.99

"With Panthenol and antioxidant vitamins A, C and E to condition nails, plus a UV Protector to help keep color fresh and true."

Rating: A

Melinda says: My hands and nails take a beating daily from doing the dishes, mopping, bathroom duties, laundry, cooking, kids and basically just being a mom. For me, a manicure is a waste of time and money. I was a bit pessimistic about this polish pen, but I did a complete turnaround after just one try. The polish went on smooth, dried quickly and maintained a glossy shine that lasted more than five days. In order to achieve the best results, 2 to 3 coats of color and base should be applied. The packaging is a wonder, too. It's small and portable, perfect for touching up on the go. It's official; buying pricey nail polish is unnecessary when you can find on-trend colors and quality at the drugstore.

Melinda Ramos, 33, is events coordinator for Friday Extra and TBO.com.

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