We love the idea of a nail varnish that lets nails breathe. To be honest, we're only just easing ourselves back into the idea of polish generally, having gone bare-nailed for months this year – and seen really rather mind-blowing, unexpected improvements in our natural nails.

But we thought we'd take these for a spin – and are so happy we did because at £3.99 each they're one of the great beauty bargains of 2020. 

What does 'breathable' mean? Well, according to Barry M, the formulation allows water vapour and oxygen to pass through nail paint, so nails can breathe easy and stay hydrated.' We haven’t been using this long enough to know whether or not this is going to help maintain our nails in their current spectacular condition, but we’re intrigued to find out. 

But just as important with nail polish: how does it go on? How does it look? How does it last? First point: when Jo rocked up for a pedicure at The Treatment Rooms at The Old Rectory (in her home town of Hastings) with ‘After Dark’ – a red/black reminiscent of A Very Famous Nail Polish Colour Indeed – plus the Breathable Base Coat & Top Coat, manicurist Lucy's first reaction was: 'I LOVE the brush.'

It’s slightly curved, mirroring the shape of the cuticle, and as Lucy says, ‘the polish really glides on.’ (It is also infinitely preferable for Lucy than the deadly Christian Louboutin stiletto brush that she often finds herself painting Jo’s toes with!)

The colours give a smooth and super-shiny finish. On her fingers, Jo used '‘Dolly’ – a very pale, sheer pink which just gives her nails a healthy, buffed look; a week in, it’s doing just fine – no chips.

And the toes? Fab. (Get a glimpse below, though the photo looks a bit lighter than the nail polish, due to ACTUAL SUNSHINE.)

We’re truly impressed and not joking when we say that the AIR Breathable Nail Paints these rival polishes we’ve paid five or six times as much (or even more) for.

We’ve really got to hand it to Barry M on this one.

£3.99 each – buy here

The Treatment Rooms at The Old Rectory – click here for info and online booking

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