These nail varnish removal pads were an attractive buy because they are non-acetone. What's that mean? You might be wondering. I didn't know either, until I approached a member of staff in M&S, and asked. She explained that normal nail varnish removers have acetone in which quickly removes the varnish but can damage the nails and make them more brittle.

These M&S removal pads are more natural than the very harsh chemicals in many other formulas. This is the product to buy for those people who want to be kind to their nails. I should think this is particularly important for those who suffer with poor nail quality to begin with. Even if your nails are strong it is wise to be good to them because the older you get the weaker your nails will become.

The second benefit of the pads being non-acetone is that there is none of that overly pungent smell associated with the removers that are high in acetone.

I really wish I'd understood the chemical differences in nail varnish remover before this shop visit to M&S. I have a fluid nail varnish remover, which stinks like paint stripper, and so must be high in chemicals. I feel loathe to throw it out as it seems like a waste. Now, I know, every time I use it I am causing damage to my nails. I'm torn between waste and kindness to my nails.

The third positive about these M&S nail removal pads is connected with the reason I wanted to buy them in the first place. These are not liquid therefore they can go into hand luggage when travelling. They are also useful, when staying away, for a few days, within the UK, because once nail varnish chips, it looks so bad that it must be removed. I really don't want to carry around a weighty bottle so that's why I wanted removal pads.

Now for the big negative:

There are only six pads in the box - six, I ask you! Those six pads cost, in total, three pounds. I bought them to travel with out of last minute need. I was also curious to find out how effective the pads were compared to acetone based removers.

Each pad is individually wrapped in a very prettily designed white plastic, with the outline shapes of butterflies. It's a simplistic, stylish and feminine design. However, think about the environment, not only are you discarding the main plain, white, box, but six very thick pads and the six seals that each is wrapped in!

The pads are preserved better in the packets so I do understand the reasoning for it. Also, I had understood there would be no chemical smell. The pads still smell like normal remover but really not as strong as I'm used to from usual liquid remover.

These thick pads work very well. They don't require pressure to wipe away the varnish. Even when I press on them they don't allow the internal liquid spill out. Nor do the pads come away in little tufts like when using cotton wool. The pads do not do so well when I use my gold glitter nail varnish. It's harder to get off the glitter. Apparently, these pads are good with acrylic nails but I don't have them so I can't report back on that. One pad just manages each fingernail on both hands but I do worry that it won't reach the end and don't even think about toe nails. That would really cost you some serious dosh!

It contains glycerine to prevent the nails from drying out. I find this works. My nails feel soft to the touch but not dry. But I'll return to the main problem, there are only six pads at a high cost. I will look into other non-acetone nail varnish removers for my next buy. The pads are ideal for travel and a liquid one will be fine for me at home. If anyone can recommend non-acetone products that are better value for money, I would be very grateful to know about these products.

The pads are fantastic but there are not enough provided for three pounds. Price wise they just don't compete with liquid nail varnish removers. M&S have converted me to buying only removers that are non-acetone in content.

Buy the M&S nail varnish removal pads for the good quality, ease of travelling with, and kindness to your nails factor; but not if you worry about how much it will cost per use which is almost as much as some bottles of liquid nail removal products!