The claim: Formula X Sheer Strength Sheer Nail Color is a nutrient-rich nail strengthener — like a multivitamin for your nails — with just a hint of tint. Packed with botanical extracts, keratin and natural hydrators, Sheer Strength helps build strong, healthy, beautiful nails while preventing splitting, cracking and peeling. It is available in 10 pretty tints enhanced with Shinexcel, an innovative luminescent ingredient that enhaces color and overall shine.
Cost: $12.50
Where: Sephora and sephora.com
Usually, I avoid buying nail polish other than OPI. It's one of those products that seems worth paying a few extra bucks for the leading brand, for its appearance, as well as longevity. So many other non-OPI polishes I've tried cracked and peeled so quickly or never seemed to dry smooth in the first place.
This product surpassed my expectations.
It's a nice, nearly translucent sheen — just enough shine to keep your nails looking natural yet chic.
I enjoyed the light-purple tint of color — perfect to get in the mood for spring — and I could see it being just as pretty in a light-pink, orange or green.
An added bonus: After just a couple of weeks of use, it has already strengthened my nails.
It'll be an especially great polish to have on hand in between manicures or for a quick application when pressed for time.
I long ago gave up attempting to break the habit of biting my nails. I've done it since I was a toddler. There's no stopping it. I've tried.
Because of this, the battle long ago became keeping my nails strong enough that I just chew on them rather than chewing them off (gross, I know — I wash my hands frequently, so don't worry).
Different nail strengtheners over the years have worked to varying degrees. This was one of those. In terms of strengthening my nails, it certainly did do that. I could feel the difference, and my nails actually started to grow.
As for staying power, it left a bit to be desired. I found that it chipped easily, which made me just want to scratch the rest of it off.
Overall, I give it a B-, so to speak. Perhaps combined with a sealing top coat, it might do the trick.
I liked the polish, but mostly for its muted and subtle colors. It did go on smoothly and didn't seem to chip as quickly as other cheaper polishes. I didn't notice that any of its special botanical ingredients made my nails any healthier, though. I didn't really have nail dryness or flaking before, so I'm not sure if it would make a difference for someone who did.
Overall, though, great polish! Nice color palette, goes on smoothly. Would use again.
