I get so many requests to review skincare and beauty products for this blog, it’s a wonder I don’t look like Kate Moss. I don’t accept all these reviews and some appeal more than others. It’s no secret I’m a fan of organic skincare, and I love to see products that are traditionally laden with chemicals being given the “natural treatment”. Unsurprisingly then, when I was invited to undertake a Little Ondine natural nail polish review, it was the perfect fit.

What is it?

Well it’s a bit of a game changer in the nail polish market. Made from natural ingredients (based on water) it’s toxin-free. This unique formulation makes it ideal for pregnant women and us mums who regularly explore their little one’s mouth for oncoming teeth.

Composed of natural resin, organic colourants and water. We’ve sourced the best minerals from around the world to bring you a pure organic colour that give it a smooth texture while hydrating your nails Little Ondine

It’s a weird one for me. Whilst I understand this re imagination of nail polish will work for mums, I’m not sure this would be enough for me on its own for me to make a switch. Rather the promise of a non-corrosive formula that won’t dry out or damage my nails is the bigger selling point. I suffer from brittle nails and have a tendency to over-buff and faff around too much with them. I’m also one of those that will frantically pick, chew or scrape off nail polish on the tube if I see a chip - nothing worse in life than unkempt nails.

Among their claims, Little Ondine boasts their colours are odour-free (plus point for my other half), quick-drying and easy to peel-off (no need for nail varnish remover) - on the face of it, some features that pricked my ears up. They also have strong swatches with some 80+ shades to reflect the latest trends. There’s a nice mix of matte & shimmer finishes, in everything from neon, to natural, to vibrant coral.

… So, what did I think?

Well I’m a little stuck on this review. Little Ondine has some major pluses that really work for me, and some features that simply don’t.

First up, before applying, there are some tips on the website to ensure you achieve a long-lasting finish - nothing too exhaustive or fussy - you just need to thoroughly clean and dry your nails before application, and to not immerse your fingers in water for an hour after application. If you’re considering using Little Ondine, I can’t stress enough the importance of this. If you follow these tips to the letter, your colour should last for week.

A major plus for me is how easy it is to apply, and how impressive the formulation is. It’s less clumpy, glides onto your nails with ease, and is likely to last a damn sight longer than traditional nail polishes that seem gunk up within a few months. The brush is also squared for ease of application which is something I tend to look for as it trims down your manicure time considerably. As promised this doesn’t smell at all, and dries in minutes (although you will need three coats for a truly opaque finish).

All good so far.

My only issue, and it’s one I struggle to get past, is that it peels that little bit too easily. Although it won’t chip, one quicky tug of your jeans, or a hangbag dive, and the nail polish will begin to lift from the tips. You can of course, smooth it back down and hope for the best, but an hour later you’ll discover the colour has completely gone. In fact, when cooking the kids dinner the other day, Craig came into the kitchen brandishing no less than moon-shaped bits of colour he’d found whilst hoovering - I had no idea I was shedding until I looked down at my fingers.

The problem? I think my nails don’t have the required grip for Little Ondine. I buff fortnightly and can proudly say I have no ridges, and my nails are super-shiny. Such a base, just isn’t quite right for Little Ondine.

Does this put me off altogether? Not at all. I love the gel-like effect of Little Ondine, and can’t praise it enough for emergency manicures. At around £8.00 per bottle, it’s sensibly priced, and it’s super convenient to reapply and change your colour as often as you like. For teens and beauty addicts, it’s a must-try. I just need a teeny tweak to the formulation to make it right for me.

I’m sure Little Ondine won’t mind to me referring to them (affectionately) as social little buggers. If I’ve piqued your interest and you want to give them a go, check them out on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and G+ - or head straight over to uk.LittleOndine.com to purchase.