The ladies are hard as nails

When feet come out for summer, some effort is required to revive them, says Sarah Caden, and a little colour helps

Come summer, even those who don’t have the time, energy or interest in massive primping and preening tend to fix up their nails. Feet, which are the finest feature of the very few, need help once they emerge into the sunlight, and a splash of colour distracts wonderfully from a multitude of hooflike sins.

Our selection of summer-sensation polishes is proof that you can get great at-home results these days. At least once in a summer season, though, we’d recommend a salon visit. A professional can cure everything from the cuticles to the cracked skin that can spoil a nice polish, while the effects last long after you’ve removed the salon polish and applied your own at home.

When it comes to choosing summer colours, you can be a little brave. Pastels should be avoided by anyone whose toes are just a little too piggy, while scary oranges and reds look fantastic with any hint of a tan. Metallics, which might be a bit mutton-ish on your hands, are acceptable on your feet. And those darkly gothic shades work on every skin tone, from the pink to the pale to the bronzed. Get your feet in good nick and get your colour, and you can brave the foot-baring season without fear.

BEST OVERALL Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in Cavaliere, €25, Chanel counters nationwide

Chanel has launched a 16-piece tweak on its original nail polish, promising gel-like shine and longevity without use of a UV lamp. There are five classic colours and 11 new shades, of which this is one. It’s a rich, reddish-brown with fine bronze shimmer, and it lasted four days before chipping. We’re also impressed by the new-launch Le Gel Coat, a topcoat, which we found to be more glossy and durable than similar products offering seven-day shine. “This is gorgeous with a tan,” said one panellist. “And the gold-y particles caught the light beautifully on holiday.”

BEST SKY BLUE Catrice Ultimate Nail Lacquer in The Sky So Fly, €2.99, Dunnes Stores; Penneys

Blues have become a fixture of the summer make-up collections. To people of a certain age, it speaks too loudly of Barbara Cartland or a young Lady Di, but kept to the nails, it can work for anyone. Catrice’s nail polishes are a steal, but they also produce high-shine colour in a great selection of shades. So they might well chip on day two, but they are less than €3 each, so we must be realistic. “This is a nice fashion colour. I don’t like splashing too much cash on those, because they come and go,” said a panellist. “I’ll use it loads, but I won’t feel guilty when I’m sick of it.”

BEST PINK PRIMP YSL Nail Lacquer in Savage Pink, €24, YSL counters nationwide

The summer collection from this brand boasts two stunning, sparkling shades; Savage Night, which is gunmetal and dramatic; and this pale pink, crammed with fine-milled metallic glitter. With a very sparkling polish such as this, one’s fear is a gritty surface that would catch on everything, but this is remarkably smooth, glossy and durable. “There’s a slightly grey-lilac hint to this that saves it from being baby-doll pink and too girlie,” one panellist said. “It’s grown up and gutsy, but oh-so glittery.”

BEST METALLIC MULBERRY CND Vinylux in Patina Buckle, €11.95, CND salons nationwide

CND is a longwear, no-UV brand that you can have applied in salons, or simply buy in the salon to use at home. The result, bar the superior application skills of a professional, will be the same. The polishes have good, wide brushes and come in great colours. This is a burgundy with a silver-lilac metallic sheen that is stunning in bright sunlight or against sun-kissed skin. “This is a doddle to apply to a superior standard,” a panellist said. “Two coats look gel-like and super glossy, and it lasts amazingly.”

BEST SILVER FOX Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Top Coat and Miracle Gel In My Suitcase, €11.49 (for pack), available nationwide

Sally Hansen is a go-to mid-priced nail brand for people who want salon-like results from their at-home polish. Her Miracle Gel line is very good, comprising a colour coat followed by a top coat, both of which are “sealed” without a UV light. This pale dove-grey, part of a summer selection, is flattering to pale and olive skintones. “On my toes, I can get two weeks from these polishes,” one panellist said. “I love this soft grey; it’s similar to designer bestsellers.” Pictured, from left, Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in Cavaliere; Catrice Ultimate Nail Lacquer in The Sky So Fly; YSL Nail Lacquer in Savage Pink; CND Vinylux in Patina Buckle; Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Top Coat and Miracle Gel In My Suitcase Email thepanel@independent.ie