This is the first review I have written in months, and it took me just seconds to decide my first one would have to be about the Barry M magnetic nail varnishes, as since purchasing a bottle mid summer I have raved about them to anyone who will listen and show my nails off all the time!

As a fan of the Barry M facebook page I had seen these varnishes advertised a lot, but was not sure how they worked and assumed a lot went in to creating the effect. While browsing the make up stands in Superdrug, I saw they just looked like a normal bottle, and decided to give it a go. The bottle cot me £4.99, but I have been told they are very often on offer for 2 bottles for £8.00 so its worth keeping an eye out. The bottles come in a variety of shades, and on the lid of each bottle is a pattern, from horizontal/diagonal stripes, waves and a few others. I soon realised that these patterns indicate what magnetic effect the bottles create.

I chose this blue colour, with the multiple lined pattern.

When I got the bottle home, I noticed a few things, first, that the big square lid of the bottle comes off, and then I realised why. Across the top of the lid is a square magnet, and there is also a raised 'lip' on one edge. A quick glance at the instructions and I understood how simple the idea was.

The instructions tell you that you need to start by giving the bottle a really good shake, something to do with making sure the magnetic particles are thoroughly mixed in! Then, you need to paint a first coat onto your nails and allow to dry, and then to add a second coat. The next part, you need to do one nail at a time and try to do it fairly quickly. Paint a second coat of colour on, and immediately hover the nail above the magnet. This is where the lip on the removable lid comes in handy! I rested my finger on the lip just below the cuticle, this holds your nail in place just over the magnet. Hold the nail over the magnet for ten seconds, then move. When I moved my finger away I was thrilled at the results! I had the magnetic pattern (the lines were not as 'firm' as the pattern on the bottle, they were softer but the effect is still great!)

I finished my first hand easily. I am right handed, so painting the left side is easier for me to do. When it comes to painting my right hand, I am a bit shaky, and was worried that it would become fiddly to do. I started with my pinky finger, and quickly found I didn't find it as easy to do, but after some faffing about, I found if I held the lid up and rested my fingers against it, rather than trying to rest them on the table, I got the desired effect without ruining my nails. It was harder than the other hand, but once I found a way to do it comfortably, it became easier.

At the end, the finished effect was great. The magnet creates the pattern in a different shade of blue, so you have a darker colour plus a lighter effect making it look almost two tone and as if you have used a different colour to create the effect.

I have no idea how it works, but I do know it looks really good, and like you have spent a lot of time creating the effect or you've been to a salon for something fancy done!
For £4.99 its not a bad price, I want several other colours but I may wait for another offer to come on before I do buy more so its a bit more value for money. If my past experience with Barry M colours is anything to go by, though, their colours go a long way so they do tend to be value for money.