I have at the last count, 30 nail polishes in various stages of use. Over the last few months I have been trying to use them all up before they dry out. This has given me a good chance to compare all the different brands that I have. One that has proved the most disappointing for me has been Rimmel's Lycra Pro polish. I think this is mainly because it make such amazing claims that it had too much to live up to...


WHY RIMMEL SAYS THIS POLISH IS SPECIAL

Rimmel claim that the Lycra Pro polish comes with a "breakthrough" brush that makes it fast and easy to use for "mistake free application." They say you will be left with a professional glossy finish that will last up to 10 days. The inclusion of Lycra, along with a UV formula, is said to help make the polish "super durable" and "fade proof."


FIRST IMPRESSIONS

I have the polish in two colours, Clearly Clear, and Urban Purple which I would describe as pink toned. I bought mine in Superdrug where approximately 15 shades were available. I like the selection of colours offered as they seem a good mix of pretty natural pinks, and up to date colours. I haven't seen any really bright offerings so this may not be the range to go for if you are looking for these.

The bottle looks much the same as any other - it was the claims about the fantastic new brush that first caught my eye. I wondered how it would differ from others in reality. The answer is that it is wider, and also a little flatter. I expected something a bit more dramatic but I think there are only so many innovations that can be made to a brush in the end! It is a good quality one, with no stray hairs to cause problems, and it is firmly attached to the lid as it should be.


APPLICATION

The polish isn't too runny, and this does make using it less messy. The brush does make it quite easy to cover your nail in the minimum number of strokes which in turn gives a smoother finish. This is due to it's increased width. Having said that, I also find that the brush shape makes touching up the edges of my nails more difficult if I need to do so. A narrower or tapering one would make that easier, but I understand that Rimmel can't please everyone. I am not sure that the brush can really guarantee mistake free application, as there is still a chance of an unsteady hand or too much polish polish on the brush causing problems, but it does make it easier. I am happy with a single coat of the clear colour polish, but I think a second coat gives a better result when using Urban Purple. This allows the full strength of the colour to show. Drying time isn't the fastest, but this doesn't claim to be a quick drying polish so I can't complain. I would not feel safe putting on my shoes for at least 10 minutes. It can feel dry before then but I have learnt that light pressure will cause a mark or imprint on the polish surface until that time is up.


RESULTS

I like the finish which is definitely glossy, and smooth. I don't think the result are any more professional looking than any other polish that I have used, and applied carefully though. I agree that the colour doesn't fade, but sadly it doesn't have the chance to. I sometimes find it has chipped by the end of the day, even with two coats. I can usually expect a standard polish to last 2-3 days without a top coat, when I am working at my office based job - and stay away from my allotment! I tried using a top coat with this one and it obviously makes some difference to it's durability but not much. I find it hard to make it last in good condition, without chipping, for 5 days, let alone the advertised 10. As mentioned above, I think the brushes shape, whilst good for standard application, makes it harder to do a repair near the nail edges as you are more likely to get polish on your surrounding skin. I tend to need to start from scratch if the polish has begun to look shabby.

The polish does remove easily using a standard nail varnish remover or wipe. I haven't experienced any staining or discolouration of the nail which can be a problem with strongly pigmented polishes in my experience.


WOULD I RECOMMEND LYCRA PRO?

Lycra Pro costs £4.59 in both Boots and Superdrug. It isn't the most expensive polish therefore and if it had been sold as a standard one I would rate it higher because the pigmentation and initial finish are both good quality. However, as Rimmel claim this polish is "super durable", I must rate it down for surviving less time for me even than ones that don't claim to be long lasting. I do think the brush makes application easier to some extent, but I can easily achieve the same results if I carefully use a standard brush and a cheaper polish. If your nail shape makes it hard for to cover your nail in just a few strokes using a regular brush though, this may well be worth trying to see if it can help you. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a long lasting polish.


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