Review | OPI Original Nail Envy & RapiDry Top Coat

Friday 21 June 2013


My nails were really my first experimentation with beauty when I was younger, I remember when my grandma dug out a bottle of varnish in a pearly pink colour and painted my nails for me, I was amazed that I could wash my hands and the colour didn't come off!

However, they've never been particularly strong and with biting them when I was a teenager, they have a tendency towards growing to a certain length and then snapping. I have also been neglecting my nails quite a lot recently by just slapping on a couple of coats of colour with no base or top coat. This resulted in my nail varnish peeling and taking bits of my nail with it leaving them soft and damaged.

I had been on the hunt for a varnish that would strengthen my nails as well as keeping them looking nice so when I was offered the chance with QVC to try out OPI's famous Nail Envy Nail Strengthener* and RapiDry Top Coat*, I accepted eagerly.

I first experimented with Nail Envy on it's own and no other varnish. You apply two coats of it on the first day and then apply every other day for a week before removing it all and starting the process again. When I first applied it on my nails two weeks ago, literally ALL of my nails were peeling and not in good shape.
I kept up the recommended application religiously and now two weeks on have noticed a big improvement in my nails. They no longer feel so bendy when I press against them and all the signs of peeling from my nails had disappeared.

Nail Envy applies as a glossy clear coat on first application and it builds to an even glossier but still subtle and natural finish upon the second coat. This glossy finish is maintained as you apply throughout the week and doesn't feel thick and gloopy on the following applications. It does not chip or peel at all on my nails at all over the duration and there's no discolouration.

The drying time is reasonable; the first coat feels dry to the touch within  minute and the second about 2/3 minutes. Each further application is about 2 minutes until it feels dry.

The only negative I have to say against it is that it has a really potent smell when you open the bottle and when you're applying it, it stings my nose a bit! It fades really quickly though and you can't smell it on your hands after a couple of minutes when it's dried.

After a couple of weeks of having bare nails, I decided it was time to test out the RapiDry Top Coat on top of my current favourite colour, Rimmel's Rose Libertine. I applied my usual two coats of Nail Envy before applying two coats of Rose Libertine and then a final top coat of RapiDry.

RapiDry's instructions are to apply two coats of your chosen polish and then wait 60-90 seconds before applying your top coat, then wait 5 minutes and you're good to go.
I found that RapiDry applied streak free and smoothly to each nail with no bubbling and didn't have any visible smearing effect on my previously applied polish.

In general, I found that my nails were dry to the touch without being able to dent them at all and feel comfortable going about tasks within about ten minutes rather than the stated 5 minutes. On a couple of nails I applied a slightly thicker coat and those nails seemed to take about 15 minutes. Not really what you'd call rapid but when I've left some varnishes to their own devices with no drying top coat, they can still be smearing even up to about an hour later!
I absolutely love the glossy finish that RapiDry gives my nails, they look much more manicured and put together.

Overall, I've been really pleased with the results of both Nail Envy and RapiDry. Although I have only owned them a couple of weeks so I can't say exactly how resourceful these bottles are, my other OPI polishes have lasted me well so far after almost a year and you do get 15ml worth of product, I don't think I've ever reached the bottom of a bottle!


*Thanks to Talented Talkers on behalf of QVC for sending me these products for review.

8 comments :

  1. I really want to try these out! Atleast the base coat because I'm in love with the seche vite top coat
    Caitlin x
    lifes-glitters.blogspot.co.uk

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    Replies
    1. I've never tried Seche Vite but heard a lot of good things! I recommend Nail Envy :) x

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  2. I'll have to try the nail envy, I've just had my acrylics taken off and they are so weak at the moment so this will hopefully help make them stronger! X

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  3. I love opi nail varnishes.. sometimes they can be a bit pricey though!
    I just stumbled across your blog and I am now following.
    Here is the link to my blog if you wouldn’t mind checking it out!

    http://dreamingofforeverxkatie.blogspot.ie/

    Lots of Love
    Katie xx

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    Replies
    1. Yeah they definitely are pricey but I think a few are worth an investment, or a search in TK Maxx :) I'll check your blog out xx

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  4. I love Rose Libertine, it's such a pretty colour for summer.
    Heard so many good things about Nail Envy! Need to try it xx

    Rachael | beautypea.com
    Essie & Calvin Klein Giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's my favourite colour at the moment, so gorgeous! And it's really great :) xx

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