I am technically not buying any new nail polish until I have used up my existing mountain of the stuff. I have got very close to the bottom, so I am going to excuse my recent slip - I purchased another Barry M nail paint! I fell in love with the shade called "Raspberry"..


THE RANGE

I am sure that most people have heard of Barry M, as they are a cosmetic brand that has been around since the 70's. I have used their nail paint off and on for years. Despite it's name, it is actually a regular polish. I understand the decision to call their product "paint" was made to make it stand out from that of their rivals. Whatever the reason, there is a wide range of "paint" colours to choose from. This is one of the reasons I often come back to the range. It is hard to produce unique colours when there is so much competition, but Barry M often seem to manage it. I think they are especially good for brighter colours if that is your thing, and you will also find glittery and pearly finishes. Another reason that I have decided to use Barry M products more in the future is the fact that the nail colours are vegan, and are not tested on animals. I like to support companies with this kind of ethical stance.


APPLICATION

The nail paint comes in a 10ml glass bottle, so it is a good size, especially for the standard £2.99 price. The individual shades are both named and numbered, with both appearing on the bottle base. The label advises that the polish should be applied over a basecoat. I think this is a sensible precaution when using deeply pigmented colours which can discolour a nail, but I have occasionally used the nail paint without a base. I have not had any problems with doing so.

The brush is reasonable quality, although I prefer one that is a bit more tapered. Thinner brushes help me achieve a neat finish near the nail edges. I don't mind this brush though, I just need to be a little more careful. At least being fairly wide means the brush covers the nail in a minimum of strokes, which speeds up application. I like the fact the polish isn't too runny, so it easy to pick up just the amount you need for each nail.


RESULTS

I am always impressed by the quality of the colour, even after one coat. It looks highly pigmented in the bottle, and it doesn't disappoint out of it. The newest colour that I have - the above mentioned "Raspberry", is a a beautiful plummy cerise-red. It looks more of a pink toned colour after one coat, with a second layer adding a deeper, richer red tone. This means I get two colours in one bottle in effect. My other favourite colour is the lighter "Fuchsia", which looks pretty on toes. All of the shades that I have produce the same even, glossy finish. The shine doesn't fade either.

Barry M say that their polish is quick drying and long lasting. I don't agree with the first claim, but I think the second is accurate. I find that although the polish sets to the "slightly tacky" stage within 5 minutes, it seems to be remain soft and vulnerable to damage for at least another 5 minutes. I don't mind waiting, as the results are worth waiting for! I do agree that the colour and finish lasts well. I don't usually need to re-apply more often than once every 4-5 days, with most polishes lasting 2-3 days for me. [I don't use a top coat most of the time.] Crucially, I don't find it difficult to remove, as some strong colours can be. I just use cheap nail polish remover or wipes, and I don't find that I struggle to get rid of it.


WOULD I RECOMMEND THIS POLISH?

I would, as I think it is great value at £2.99. The quality of the colour is excellent, and the finish looks good for a decent amount of time. I love the good range of shades available, and the fact the product isn't tested on animals. I usually buy my nail paint in Superdrug, where they stock a good range of colours. You can also buy it elsewhere though, including direct froom Barry M online. I highly recommend it for anyone who is looking for an inexpensive and high quality polish.

[This review also appears on Ciao, under my user name.]