The fashion insider’s favourite, this British brand has been a mainstay backstage at New York Fashion Week since its conception in 2005. It was the first to introduce carcinogen-free polish in the US and has partnered with The Row, Band of Outsiders and Alexander Wang. We love that the colours are bold yet understated.

From left: Artful Dodger, Lovely Jubbly, Bossy Boots and Pink Ribbon, $24 each, Sephora

Hollywood royalty like Gwyneth Paltrow, (the brand released three shades as part of a collaboration with her), or real royalty like the Duchess of Cambridge. The latter had a limited edition shade called No More Waity, Katie named after her to commemorate the royal engagement in 2011.

Photo: @gwynethpaltrow Instagram

The British nail polish brand for arty manicure devotees. It started the super-popular caviar nails trend in 2012 – even Youtube beauty maestro Michelle Phan flaunted a set. Apart from its DIY sets and nail colours, it also carries a line of tonics for brittle and dry nails.

                                                                                                                               From left: Caviar Manicure Set in Black Pearls, $34. Nail Tonic Hydrator, $24. Paint Pot in Pepperminty, $20, Sephora

British musicians Jessie J (pictured above), Emeli Sande and Rita Ora are fans of the brand.

Photo: @isthatjessiej Instagram

Like Ciate, it offers fashion-forward nail polishes in unique finishes and effects. Unlike the aforementioned, this British label is all about instant gratification. To get leather-textured or gritty, concrete nails, simply paint and leave them to dry. We like the magnetic polish: it forms groovy patterns when you hold the attached magnet over just-painted nails while it dries.

From left: Magnetic Polish in Kensington Palace, $24. Concrete Effect Polish in Monument, $22. Nail Polish in Tate and Notting Hill Gate, $20 each, Sephora

Fashion It girls like Alexa Chung, who was the first to sport leather-textured nails at the British Fashion Awards before it went on sale. Since then, she’s gone on to be the face of the brand in 2014 and has also had a hand in creating two new nail lines for Spring and Fall.

Photo: @chungalexa Instagram

An adapted version first appeared in Female‘s April 2013 issue.

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