I love nail polish, Barry M has been my go to for years now. But as a perfectionist and someone who is very OCD, it can get a bit frustrating perfecting a look only for it to chip a couple of days later.

I, like so many people just don’t have the money or the ability to go to a nail salon every 3-4 weeks, but in the months coming up to Christmas I researched at home Gel Nail Varnish. This is how I came across Sensationail.

In this review I am going to talk you through the kit I got, polishes, accessories and my general impression of the quality.

The Starter Kit

For Christmas I received the Sensationail All Stars Rose Gold Gel Polish Starter Kit £79.99 from Boots. Expensive, I’m not gonna lie, but as a Christmas present I was attracted to the limited edition starter kit with a Rose Gold machine.

The picture above is of my second machine, the first (opened on Boxing Day) was scratched to hell – after taking it back to the store I got this one. Still a few small scratches but a lot better.

The lamp itself is perfect, plugs in to a USB and works by simply placing the hand inside, no buttons or fiddling around. It’s on a timer of 30 seconds and flashes at 15 seconds for the base and top coats.

Sensationail Gel Polishes, Rose Gold Glitter, Macchiato, Gel Base & Top Coat.

The kit came with two Gel Polishes in the shades “Macchiato” and “Rose Gold Glitter” both retail for £15 each on Boots and it says that they are their bestsellers. It also came with the Gel Base & Top Coat.

Sensationail - Macchiato and Rose Gold Glitter, two week wear test.

Above – After two weeks wear.

Macchiato is a universally flattering nude/pink/brown colour that looks lovely on the nail. I was completely blown away by the Rose Gold Glitter shade – it’s probably the best glitter nail varnish I have ever used PERIOD. After two coats, it was a full coverage polish with beautiful fine glitter that really sparkles. What impressed me most was how smooth it was, even before applying a top coat. I would definitely consider buying another glitter colour eventually.

Sensationail Gel Primer, Sensationail Gel Cleanser.

Also in the kit came the Gel Primer and Gel Cleanser.

The Gel Primer is said to help prolong the wear of the polish. I can’t exactly say if it is or not as I haven’t tried it without – but I am getting a full two weeks wear from the polish, and it would probably last longer if not for regrowth. It costs £5 to buy separately and you only use a small amount each time, so this bottle should last a long time. I would buy again.

The Gel Cleanser is used to prep the nail bed before applying the Gel Primer, and to remove the tacky layer from the topcoat. It’s important to use and necessary, but you use a fair amount each time – my bottle was 1/8 empty after one use, it also costs £9.50. After doing some research online I found out that this was just Surgical Spirits – something I already had in from when I fixed my broken highlighter. This works just as well and Sensationail version and I can pick it up for £1.79 in Superdrug. Save your money and buy this!

Also on the subject things you don’t need to buy branded- Lint Free Wipes. It seems that Sensationail only sell them with the Gel Cleanser or on their website, 12 for £1. After using the ones in the kit, I bought the Mylee wipes from Amazon, which are £6.99 for 200.

Rose Gold Nail File, Rose Gold Nail Clippers

Lastly, the kit contained two pairs of rose gold nail clippers and a rose gold nail file. Great additions to the package, even if they’re probably not worth much. They all seem good quality, I’ve actually used the nail file when removing the polish.

Everything Else I’ve Used

Sensationail Gel Polish - Macchiato, Taupe Tulips, In The Shade - Neutrals Pack

I bought this set of 3 nude gel polishes in Argos last year for £24.99. At this point I had forgotten what colours came in the starter set, so I ended up getting two of the shade “Macchiato”, not a bad thing as I will use them both up. “Taupe Tulips” is a similar shade but browner and more opaque. “In The Shade” looks purple on the label, but really a mushroom/brown colour on the nail.

This set is great value for money, getting three full size bottles worth £45. Argos did have more sets of different colours available before Christmas, but they seem to be disappearing over recent days – so grab them quick!

Sensationail Gel Polishes - Kiwi Squeeze, Kitten Heel.

The last two nail polishes I have purchased came from Beauty Outlet. On offer before Christmas, it was 2 for £10. I got the shades “Kitten Heel” and “Kiwi Squeeze”. Both appear to be the same quality as ones bought at full price.

Sensationail Gel Polish - “Taupe Tulips” and “Kiwi Squeeze”. Two week wear test.

“Taupe Tulips” and “Kiwi Squeeze” after two weeks wear.

Removal

Here’s where it goes slightly downhill. The nail polish lasts well and would probably go on for over 2 weeks if it wasn’t for the nail growth.

I didn’t buy a Sensationail own brand removal kit, because at £9 for three goes it seemed way too expensive. I bought the Superdrug Gel Nail Polish Remover that’s £2.69 put on (unfortunately non reusable) cotton pads and wrapped them in kitchen foil.

This works well but doesn’t remove the nail polish like they say, instead softening it enough to scrape off with a special scraper.

Superdrug Double End Gel Polish Remover & Cuticle Pusher

Sensationail do make a nail scraper but I bought the Superdrug one for £2.99. It works well but you do have to be careful not to scrape part of your nail with it. In the picture down below you can see what my natural nail looked like after removal.