The signs of an overdue manicure are clear to see: peeling polish, chipped nails and cracked colour. Don’t let it get to that stage - with a small dose of TLC, your nails can remain flawless day and night. You don’t need to spend big bucks to see results, either. The affordable Sephora nail products include both long-wear nail polish and chip-resistant nail polish for a stunning look that stays put. Some of the best sellers include high-shine nail polish and nail lacquer sets, both of which craft high-impact looks in no time.

If you’re not sure where to begin, read our essential girl’s guide to gorgeous manicures. Let’s start with a round-up of the products you need to know:

Nail colour

Any kind of nail polish, nail gel, nail lacquer or nail varnish counts as a nail colour. Painting your nails in a bright and bold shade is an instant pick-me-up and a great way to boost your confidence for a day or night out.

Nail polish

We all know nail polish: the colourful lacquer that transforms fingers and toes from dull to daring. There are a million colours and textures available from nude to bright and glitter to matte. The only deciding factor is you!

Nail gel

Gel nails are known to be more durable than regular nail polishes. A layer of hardened gel creates a shock-resistant padded coating that protects fingers from cracks.

Base coat

Base coat is a product you apply to your nails prior to varnish. The benefits of base coat include smoothed-down nail ridges for easy colour application, plus reduced streakiness in the final finish.

Top coat

Top coat is a clear nail varnish layer that can be applied after your nail colour to lock your look in place. Top coat can also help underlying colours dry quicker. If you want your nail varnish to last longer, definitely invest in both a layer of top coat and a base coat.

Quick-dry nail polish

Quick-dry nail polish is a must when getting ready in a rush. Cutting drying time to as little as 60 seconds, quick-dry nail polish creates the same flawless finish in minimal time.

Chip-resistant nail polish

When you’re busy and on-the-go, chips and cracks in your polish can easily appear. Rather than try to avoid the daily elements, invest in a chip-resistant polish. These products are extra durable and cushion the nail for comfort and protection.

Long-wear nail polish

If you know you won’t have time to remove and reapply your polish in the near future, consider a long-wear nail varnish. These types of polish bond closely with the nail to ensure a coat that won’t budge for several days. Perfect for holidays and long weekends away!

With all this in mind, what does the Sephora collection have for you?

Now you’ve got a better idea of the various nail products on the market, you might be ready to invest in a few manicure-friendly products of your own. Bestsellers from the Sephora nailcare collection include:

Manicure kits

When you know a manicure is overdue, go all out with The Great Manicure kit. Your new nail clippers, multi-tasking nail file, red nail polish and cuticle sticks come in a retro-style tin that can be used time and time again.

NCLA duo sets

To glam-up in a hurry, look no further than the NCLA duo sets. These kits each feature two complimentary polishes which rock your look with shimmer and sparkle. Most include a plain colour and a glitter top coat for nails that are unavoidably eye-catching.

Butter London gel nails

The Patent Gel Top And Tails kit from Butter London aims to stay set for longer with its durable gel nature. The formula binds to your nails for salon quality without the mess nor the sweaty UV lamps. Easy-peasy nails that look gorgeous!