Last week we had THE most marvellous catch-up with Leighton Denny MBE, who we’ve known for forever, and who (aeons ago) we enlisted to offer manicures to guests at one of our Beauty Bible book launches, back in the day when he had his Harrods salon.

This man is a proper nail genius, so we didn’t ask twice if we’d like a manicure with the man himself, to mark the launch of new Leighton Denny RENOVATE Shield & Base Coat.

Well, this is going straight to the top of our list of must-have nail products. The latest in the RENOVATE range – all about nail strength, health and repair – it is a hybrid, glossy base coat and treatment, and exactly what our somewhat ridged, dry and flaky nails needed.

Vegan, 73% plant-based, Leighton maintains that the formula ‘nourishes, conditions and strengthens nails back to good health.’ Ingredients to encourage that include avocado oil, rice bran oil, vitamin E and pro-vitamin B5 – all of which make this sound like it’s an oily texture, but it really is like a shield: five days later, and there are no chips, while nails look incredibly smooth, healthy and sheen-y. It’s nourishing rather than drying.

Five days in, it’s too soon to put the long-term strengthening claim to the test, but when it comes to instant scraggy nail transformation? A quick smooth with a crystal file, a coat of this, and hey, presto! Groomed and gorgeous.

Thanks, Leighton!

£14 – buy here

PS It’s also available as part of a range for flaky, brittle, out-of-condition nails, which includes Renovate Cream & Buffer and Renovate Cuticle Oil, £14 each, both available at leightondenny.com (or click on the product names)

Prize Draws