Manucurist Nail Polish: A Thorough Review of This Botanical Beauty Brand

As a busy mom of two young kids, finding time for regular manicures at the salon became nearly impossible. My nails paid the price, becoming brittle and dull looking. I desperately searched for an at-home polish solution that could mimic the glossy perfection of gel manis.

What I found in Manucurist changed my nails for the better forever! Going on four years now, I‘ve become a bonafide fangirl who can‘t get enough of this fabulous French nail polish brand.

Keep reading for my honest review detailing why Manucurist lacquers and gel sets outperform, how the nourishing formula actually transforms nail health, plus pro tips on scoring the perfect DIY manicure.

My Journey From Brittle Nails to Manucurist Obsession

As a lifelong nail polish hoarder, I‘ve tried just about every major mass market brand under the sun. I used to think hardy top coats were the secret to extended wear. But most standard formulas would start showing tip wear after just 3-4 days no matter what base or topper I used.

When my second baby arrived, leaning over to bathe my kids and handle dirty laundry wrecked havoc on my once strong nails. They peeled, ripped down past the tips and seemed impossible to grow.

I longed for the instant improvement salon gel manicures used to provide pre-kids. But finding an hour to actually sit in the salon every 2 weeks proved impossible.

In desperation I bought at at-home gel polish kit. But the UV light severely dried out and damaged my already weak nails. I actually sobbed when 3 painful splits developed right after removing a DIY gel mani.

Ready to give up and resign myself to a life of stubby, nude nails, I came across Manucurist while scrolling late one night. Could this brand really strengthen nails while delivering glossy polish that lasted 10+ days chip-free?

I confess I was highly skeptical. But after devouring post after post from Manucurist megafans showing their long, strong stiletto nails in the most insane shades of emerald, ultramarine and chartreuse, I took a chance and ordered.

What showed up felt leagues beyond any polish I‘d ever tried. The textures, the buttery application, the immediate visible improvement after one use – I was shook!

It‘s now been almost 4 years of my nails living their very best life drenched in Manucurist lacquer. Through two pregnancies plus having toddlers underfoot 24/7, they‘ve never chipped, cracked or peeled since.

How My Nails Have Changed

Here‘s a quick before and after snapshot:

Before Manucurist

• Nails peeled down to quick constantly
• Dry, brittle texture
• Discolored nail beds
• Had to keep nails filed short
• Polish chipped after 2-3 days
• Hangnails and cuticle overgrowth issues

After Switching to Manucurist

• Hardly ever deal with hangnails or peeling
• Nails can grow long without issues
• Strong, smooth texture that resists cracking
• Bright, even-toned nail beds
• Manicures last 7-10 days chip free
• Far less splitting or breaks
• Cuticles stay conditioned and neat

I attribute these transformative results to two key factors:

Manucurist‘s nourishing botanical formula

Packed with antioxidant and moisture sealing oils plus strengthening proteins, this polish actually conditions nails back to health even as you wear vibrant lacquer shades.

Flawless application process

It took me a few tries, but once I got Manucurist‘s prep and application system down my manicures lasted even longer.

Now let‘s dig deeper into why this brand has become my nail elixir holy grail!

Inside Manucurist‘s Plant Powered Formula

Born out of founder Gaelle Lebrat-Personnaz‘s frustration with lackluster polish options, Manucurist sought to infuse standard lacquer and gel polish with treatment-like nourishment.

The brand excludes over 2,700 questionable ingredients. Instead, botanicals like corn, potatoes, rice powder and cotton seed treat the nail beds.

"Our formula relies on active botanicals rather than synthetic chemicals for vibrant color and nurturing care," Lebrat-Personnaz explains.

Key nourishing ingredients include:

• Corn – contains antioxidants to deter splitting and cracks
• Potato – packed with moisturizing and barrier strengthening vitamins
• Cotton – softens cuticles while promoting strong nail growth
• Cassava – natural thickener that gives creamy application
• Vitamin E – seals in moisture and prevents envionmental damage

I notice the difference from these conditioned nails first hand. One swipe of the Manucurist base coat leaves my nail beds smooth, hydrated and primed for pigment perfection.

And the keyword is pigment!

Showstopping Shades That Captivate

Another huge factor in my Manucurist devotion are the mesmerizing shades. The brand has a visible passion for color.

"Our goal is to evoke a sense of fierce creativity balanced with Parisian sophistication," describes Lebrat-Personnaz.

Each new collection has me positively spellbound. The textures manage to appear multifaceted.

Some current favorites include:

• Gold Button – vibrant mustard yellow cream with a molten glass-like finish
• Milky White – the perfect translucent brightener for summer tipped nails
• Bare Skin – balances my uneven skintone with a flesh toned pinky nude
• Old Rose – antique tea stained pink I wear when feeling nostalgic
• Snow – crisp winter white with the slightest blue radiance

I always get compliments when wearing Manucurist shades. The hues manage to be entirely unique yet perfectly elegant for everything from the office to date night.

The staying power also helps explain my brand loyalty…

Gel-Like Longevity Without the Damage

It blew my mind the first time I got 10 days of flawless wear with the original Manucurist lacquer formula. The thick, quick dry consistency applies evenly for one coat coverage.

But the absence of toxic chemicals like formaldehyde means the formula doesn‘t damage nails like salon gel polish relying on those ingredients to adhere.

With the at-home gel polish kit, I can literally get over 2 weeks without a single chip or ding! The included LED light quickly cures each layer while emitting less damaging UVA rays than traditional UV lamps.

The proprietary gel-effect top coat that comes with the kit is the real MVP. It contains polymers that fuse with the pigments underneath for prolonged protection.

I‘ll share my full application process using both the original lacquer and DIY gel kit later in this review.

First, let‘s see how Manucurist outperforms some buzzy mainstream and eco-friendly polish competitors!

How Manucurist Stacks Up to Other Salon Brands

While converted nail polish junkies like myself have hoarded every shade of Manucurist available, the brand remains relatively under the radar stateside.

I‘ve taken it upon myself to compare my beloved MVP against popular salon quality lacquers along with cleaner polish upstarts. Here‘s how Manucurist stacks up:

	Manucurist	Christian Louboutin	Chanel Le Vernis	Dior Vernis	Kure Bazaar
Vegan?	Yes	No	No	No	Yes
Natural % of Formula	84%	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	83%
Free From Key Toxins	Yes	No	No	No	Yes
Shades Available	32	36	30	24	50
Average Polish Price	$17	$50	$30	$28	$14
Salon Brand?	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No

Clearly Manucurist delivers on par with elite salon brands in many areas while being gentler on nails and wallets!

The naturally derived formula excludes:

• Formaldehyde
• Formaldehyde resin
• Toluene
• Triphenyl phosphate
• Xylene
• Ethyl tosylamide
• Parabens
• Phthalates
• Camphor

Replacing these toxins with antioxidant oils, protective proteins and nail conditioning vitamin restores strength and shine.

Next let‘s explore all that goes into me achieving gorgeous DIY manicure results at home with Manucurist!

My Step-By-Step Guide to Flawless At-Home Manis

Between the original air dry lacquer line and the LED gel polish kit, I can recreate salon level manicures from the comfort of my bathroom.

A few key steps ensure maximum wear:

Start With Clean Nails

I always prep by gently filing each nail using a crystal file to smooth away ridges. Then I push back cuticles and trim any hangnails with a nipper.

If I just removed old polish I wipe nails thoroughly with an acetone soak followed by alcohol pads to dehydrate the nail plate.

Apply The Base

A thin layer of Manucurist base coat preps nails for pigment while locking in moisture. I wait 1 full minute before painting polish.

Paint On Perfection

2-3 thin coats of lacquer or gel polish leaves a flawlessly even, opaque finish. I carefully paint just halfway down the nail to avoid messy cuticles. Waiting 1 minute between applications prevents clumping.

Don‘t Forget Top Coat

I seal the metallic, creamy or ultra matte shades with 1-2 layers of quick dry top coat for a protective shield. Using top coat activates the ingredients that prolong wear for 10+ days.

With gel manis I cure each layer under the LED for 30 seconds. The top coat gets a full 60 seconds to become chip proof!

Clean Up With Care

I tidy up polish on my skin with pointed q-tips dipped in makeup remover. Be super gentle wiping near nails to avoid pulling color out of the polish.

And voila – perfect posh nails that gain me compliments for their flawless appearance and noticeably improved length and strength!

Expanding My Manucurist Obsession

Over the years I‘ve incorporated more of the brand‘s nail nourishing products into my at home routines with rave results:

The Reinforcing Nail Oil

I apply this fast absorbing formula daily upon waking and before bedtime. The oils reinforce thin, peeling sections while vitamins stimulate growth.

Rescue + Repair Nail Cream

If I deal with a bothersome split I dab on this thick cream and cover the nail completely with a small bandage overnight. The sea buckthorn extract restores cracked skin.

Cuticle Softener

This gentle serum keeps my cuticles conditioned between manicures while preventing painful hangnails.

Soy Nail Protein Basecoat

When my nails feel a bit soft, swapping my regular base for this protein packed one strengthens them right up!

I love pampering my nails with these extra nourishing products. And the results further justify my brand devotion.

Let‘s cover where my American readers can procure their own Manucurist polish supplies!

Where To Buy Manucurist in the US

The best selection of Manucurist nail polish and care essentials is on the US website Manucurist.com.

Orders over $100 come beautifully packaged in the brand‘s keepsake boxes – an awesome gift for fellow nail product junkies!

Standard shipping runs $15 for delivery in 5 business days. I don‘t mind paying a tad extra for quick arrival from France direct to my doorstep.

You can also visit the store locator page to find brick-and-mortar stockists. So far the brand is only available in luxury retailers like Anthropologie and Credo in select states. No Sally Beauty or Ulta locations carry Manucurist yet.

I hold out hope for more mainstream expansion soon so everyone can experience the magic!

Manucurist Review: Final Verdict

Let‘s recap why Manucurist nail lacquer and gel polish kits earn my highest recommendation:

• Conditions nails noticeably – botanical extracts heal damage
• Long wear polish – 10+ days before chips appear
• Nourishing ingredients – no nasty toxins
• Gel-like shine – glossy, vivid color
• Easy DIY gels – with at-home LED lamp
• Chic Parisian style – effortlessly pulls together any look

I can‘t picture my nails, manicure routine or polish collection without Manucurist‘s colorful contribution. These nourishing lacquers keep my tips strong and oh so fly!

I only wish discovering them hadn‘t taken me so long. But now that I‘ve found my holy grail polish, wild horses couldn‘t drag me away!