When a nail laquer is 5-free, cruelty-free and comes in 21 shades, the answer is “yes”.
So meet the latest lacquers on the block, by innovative nail brand Intensae.
21 highly-pigmented shades is one thing, formula and ease of application are another, but Intensae scored on both fronts when two shades were tested by our guest reviewer last week.
To complete the collection, Intensae also do a base coat and crystalline top coat (which I haven’t tried, but speaking of top coats, I use Seche Vite as a top gloss on-the-run and have yet to find anything that beats it in the “quick dry” stakes).
We asked Sophie D at Sophie Does Beauty to report back on her two favourite shades: L’Amoreuse – a creamy sheer baby pink, and Grace, shown above, which is a white gold metallic.
Here’s what she had to say – and if you’re thinking “what does 5-free mean?” you’re not the only one.
L’Amoureuse
Intensae Nail Laquers: Perfectly Professional
“First, a little bit about the brand. INTENSAE nail lacquers are “5 free” nail colours which means they are free of any chemical nasties including formaldehyde, toulene, DBP, camphor and formaldehyde resin and there is no animal testing on their products either. The geniuses behind the brand are photographer Christian Roman and London-based colourist James Samuel and the final product of these nail lacquers really reflect the two skills of the founders.
Firstly the packaging is gorgeous; wide, round and cylindrical with a large sleek black cap these beauties certainly look the part if nothing else! I was kindly allowed to choose two colours and I picked L’Amoureuse ( a very pale baby pink/cream sheer colour) and Grace ( a shimmery grey/silver/gold colour) and I love both of them equally. L’Amoureuse is my new go-to SS13 shade; it goes with everything and has a gorgeous glossy finish and Grace is great for a more glamorous evening colour or even as a chic day colour to add that bit of je-ne-sais-quoi to an outfit. The consistency of these nail varnishes is not too thick nor thin and the small brush allows for very precise application so there’s no grappling around with brushes that are too large to cope with and hence no “colouring out of the lines” type nails à la 10 year old girl.
I’ve had L’Amoureuse on my nails for 4 days now and there is still no sign of chipping which is a good sign as my nail polish has a tendency to chip after about 3; high end and drugstore brands alike. One coat of this colour is the perfect french manicure colour, add another 1 or 2 coats and it gives a thicker, creamy looking nude pink which is what I’m currently sporting and loving.
I’m really impressed by just how professional these gems are, and I’m sure it won’t be too long before they’re much sought after internationally both for nail buffs and manicurists alike.
I’m off now to drool at the rest of the collection on their website- which, did I mention has free shipping?”
21 shades. 2 protective formulas. €16 each
PS: Here’s what my toes will be wearing this summer…
Heathers
Verushka
