I, a person who used to get gel manicures every two to three weeks without fail, am one of many people who shifted to doing my own nails in the wake of COVID-19. New nail polish launches that would have been relegated to my toes are now getting prime placement — turns out, my color preference changes a lot when the polish is on my fingers. Recently, I’ve found an unexpected new favorite: Static Nails Liquid Glass Lacquer in Irene.
I say unexpected for two reasons: One, Static Nails is arguably better known for its affordable, reusable press-on nail sets than for its polishes (although the brand has a massive selection of both). Two, I am really not a pinky nude girl. Typically, the closest thing I’ll get to a nude manicure is a nice off-white — and even then, it’s only if a work project requires it. But Irene turned out to be the nude I was searching for my whole life. It almost looks like more of a dusty rose on my skin, which brings out my warm undertones and feels a little edgier than a beige shade.
On top of the pretty color, the “liquid glass” formula is what really sold me on this polish. It’s non-toxic, 8-free, vegan, and cruelty free, plus contains ingredients like rosehip and marula oil that the brand says help promote growth, hydrate, and strengthen your nails. The first swipe of the polish goes on super thin and sheer, but it layers easily into a semi-opaque finish. Because the formula goes on so thin, I felt like it dried more quickly than other polishes I’ve tried, without any sort of speed-drying drops or top coat.
The Static Nails site says its lacquers will last 10+ days without chipping — if you pair them with the brand’s own base and top coats. I used a different brand of both, but as I type this five days after I did my nails, my right hand only has a chip on the pointer finger, and the nails on my less-used left hand look just about as good as when I first painted them. Irene, you have officially earned yourself the title of My Favorite Nude.
You’ll find the in our October 2020 Allure Beauty Box.
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