I never feel quite like myself if I don’t have my nails done. While I’d love to be a minimalist and embrace the soapy nails trend, I’m all about colour. It’s mood-boosting and makes me feel like I have my life together, even when that’s very much not the case.

Going to get my nails done in a salon is a treat I welcome, but realistically, time and money are often in short supply, which is when I rely on myself to be a manicurist. The results are never quite as sleek or as polished as getting them done professionally, but I try my best.

I used to paint my nails every week with polish, but I gradually fell out of the habit – who has time to wait around for the polish to dry? Then, DIY gel nail kits became all the rage, and I thought they’d answer my problems. Durable nails from the comfort of my sofa? Yes, please. 

However, the toll they took on my nails was not welcome. Suddenly, my nails were breaking and peeling like crazy, which was not part of the polished manicure I had in mind. 

That was until I tried Manucurist’s Green Flash kit. The LED-powered system works the same as any other set I’ve tried, except the plant-based formula doesn’t contain the allergens HEMA methacrylates. Why is this important? Well, these can cause allergies if not cured properly under the right lamp – and that’s a possibility if you’re not a trained nail pro. 

The gel-alternative formula also isn’t a faff to remove – there’s no sitting around for 30 minutes and damaging your nails by trying to remove it yourself. Instead, this formula peels off in one after just a minute or two of coming into contact with acetone, so it’s mess-free and doesn’t dye your fingers. It’s a game-changer.

As it’s easier to remove, the durability is a little compromised. I find that thin layers of these polishes can last me almost two weeks, which suits me as I love to change up my colour. 

When I give myself a pedicure, I find that it can often last me a month during the winter when my toes aren’t as exposed. Top tip: for long-lasting results, I have to cure it in the lamp a little longer than the recommended two flashes to help prevent any smudges. 

How easy it is to use and remove wins it some brownie points, but it was the fact that my nails started growing again that had me recommending the brand to my friends and family. 

I no longer had to compromise between a chic colourful manicure and the condition of my nails. Manucurist had seamlessly combined the two.

I’ve been using the kit on and off for two years now, and the range of nail shades has expanded to cater to every colour of the rainbow. While the pastels are ideal for a beach holiday, the darker hues last for longer in terms of wear-time, which is worth noting when picking your polishes.

If you’re looking for an at-home solution to your manicure problems, want healthier nails and fuss-free removal, Manucurist’s Green Flash kit is the only DIY nail kit that’s ticked all my boxes. 

Images: courtesy of brands; Charlotte Bitmead