6 nail care winners from the GLAMOUR Beauty Power List Awards 2023 that belong in every DIY nail kit
It’s safe to say that, as a nation, we’re nail obsessed. No longer just an afterthought, we now have nail care routines to rival our skincare.
Nail salons ranked in the top 10 fastest-growing retail categories in 2022 and we’re equally keen to take matters into our own hands as the hashtag ‘at home manicure’ has reeled in 90.9 million views and counting on TikTok.
In fact, a good manicure has become central to our entire look, with many of us switching up our nail colour on the regular – drawing inspiration from celebrity trends (glazed donut and latte nails, we’re looking at you) and our favourite manicurists who are now fully fledged influencers.
And as we pay more attention to our fingertips, the focus has shifted slightly from gel and acrylic overlays to treatments, tools and polishes that can help strengthen our natural nails at home. From the experts’ go-to cuticle oil to the best base coat around, the GLAMOUR Beauty Power List Awards 2023 brings you the best in class when it comes to nail care.
To ensure the nail care winners are worthy of the title, our expert panel, which includes celebrity manicurists Harriet Westmoreland, Iram Shelton, Michelle Humphrey and Kim Truong, has shortlisted their favourites – so you can guarantee they’ll be good.
Scroll down for the winners nailing it in the GLAMOUR Beauty Power List Awards 2023.
Best base coat
For a long-lasting manicure that doesn’t rely on gel or acrylic overlays, turn your attention to Essie’s colour-adhesive base coat. The clever formula, that also protects nails from staining, creates an unbreakable bond between your nails and lacquer for a chip-resistant finish that stays put for one week or more.
Shortlist:
Orly Bonder Rubberized Basecoat, £15.99
Ciaté London Plant Pots Prime + Protect Base Coat, £10
Best top coat
No DIY manicure is complete without a hardwearing top coat. And this one from OPI is the best of the best. One layer is all you need to prevent smudging and chipping while delivering a smooth, high-gloss shine. Wear alone for a sheer, healthy nail look or apply on top of your chosen lacquer to boost its staying power.
Shortlist:
Essie Gel Couture Top Coat, £9.99
Best nail/cuticle treatment
Cuticles often get overlooked, but as the nail’s protective seal (preventing bacteria from getting in), it’s important we take good care of them. To restore moisture and avoid dryness, brush on CND’s SolarOil daily. The award-winning formula is brimming with kind-to-cuticle ingredients, such as jojoba oil and vitamin E.
Shortlist:
OPI Repair Mode Bond Building Nail Serum, £29.90
Hermès Les Mains Hermes Nourishing Oil, £50
Chanel L’Huile Camélia Hydrating & Fortifying Oil, £28
Best nail tool
A nail kit essential, this dual-sided tool from Tweezerman guarantees your best nail beds yet. The wide, rounded end follows the natural shape of the nail to gently push back cuticles, while the flat, thin end can be used to clean up corners.
Shortlist:
Sephora Collection 4-Step Buffer, £4.99
Nails Inc French Mani Nail Stamper, £5
Best colour range
In 1981, Essie launched with just 12 colours. Now home to hundreds of hues (we’re talking 300 plus), the brand has become every nail painter’s go-to for on-trend shades in unforgettable names, which span everything from bold brights to pretty pastels. Our standouts? Ballet Slippers, Off Tropic and Bikini So Teeny.
Shortlist:
OPI Nature Strong Natural Origin Lacquer, £17.50
Nailberry L’Oxygéné Oxygenated Nail Polish, £16
Best polish remover
Removing nail polish shouldn’t be a time-consuming task. With Cutex Nourishing Nail Polish Remover you can swiftly remove your lacquer without drying out the nail plate, thanks to the addition of nourishing ingredients like apricot kernel oil, perilla seed oil and vitamin E. Costing just £2.99, it is also the cheapest remover of the bunch. Big tick!
Shortlist:
Nails Inc Collagen Fuelled Nail Polish Rapid Remover Pot, £8
OPI Expert Touch Lacquer Remover, £25.50
Orly All Purpose Genius Remover, £9.39
Photographer: Mateusz Sitek
Stylist: Michelle Duguid
Makeup: Marco Antonio
Hair: Craig Marsden
Manicure: Metta Francis
Models: Fallon Havanna @ Select London, Carmen Garitano @ PRM, Isabella Moore @ Milk Management
Beauty Director: Camilla Kay
Design Director: Dennis Lye
Visuals Director: Dalia Nassimi
