Earlier this summer, Nails.INC, the UK’s leading nail brand, brought something fun to Canada with a limited-time collaboration. Teaming up with two female-founded salons, ONYX in Toronto’s PATH and Wink and Wave Spa at Bala Bay Inn in Muskoka, they launched an exclusive manicure experience featuring It’s Topless, their innovative 4-in-1 gel-like finish polish.
For this partnership, Nails.INC even gave the shades a Canadian twist, renaming them after three Canadian icons who inspire the brand: Shania (a true red), Celine (a sheer nude with a pink lean), and Pamela (a sheer pink). Available only at ONYX and Bala Bay for the month of August and until September 15th, clients enjoyed a salon manicure and a full-sized polish to take home.
I had the chance to experience the service at ONYX and later test the polish at home. Here’s how Nails.INC It’s Topless held up in real life.
Gel Manicures
If you’ve ever had gel manicures, you know the process is long — removal, filing, lamp curing between every coat. I loved the results and the lasting power (up to three weeks), but after three years straight my nails were thin, so I took a break. That’s why I was curious to see if Nails.INC It’s Topless could deliver the look without the damage.
DIVINE Tip: Never attempt to remove gel manicures at home and do not pick at the polish, even if it is peeling. It can be damaging to your nails. Get gel polish professionally removed.
The Experience at ONYX
ONYX has two locations in Toronto’s PATH; one is at Brookfield Place (181 Bay St. Concourse Level) and the other is at Bay Adelaide Centre (333 Bay St. Concourse Level). Both locations are subway accessible and easy to find. I chose Brookfield Place.
It is a small salon that specializes in manicures, including nail enhancements and pedicures. Even though the space is small, the design is modern and it is well laid out. You have more than enough room to comfortably enjoy your manicure and pedicure.
I was shown each of the three nail polishes and asked to select one. What I really appreciated was how they took the time to explain the features of the Nails.INC It’s Topless bottle. The manicure itself was great. It took less time because I had bare nails to start. They cleaned up my cuticles and shaped my nails exactly how I wanted them (short and round). I selected the shade Celine based on their recommendation. Their cleansing products smelled amazing. Two coats were applied. After about 45 minutes plus an extra 15 minutes to dry, I was ready to leave.
The Nails.INC It’s Topless
The Good
The component is the smartest that I’ve seen on the market. The cap doubles as a finger rest, making application easier, and the glass bottle shows you the true colour when tilted over your finger. It is truly unique.
The application wasn’t streaky, which I worry about with traditional polishes, and it applied with a really nice sheen. I actually managed not to ruin my manicure – a bad habit of mine! I loved the colour – it was exactly what I was looking for.
The best part was the wear time. My manicure lasted almost two weeks. I didn’t baby my manicure at all and I even traveled which can sometimes wreck my nails. The pale colour also was more forgiving. I didn’t end up with chips, just the natural regrowth of my nails.
DIVINE Tip: Wear rubber gloves or non-latex gloves while you clean your home or wash dishes. It is essential for preserving manicures. Trust me – I never used to do this and I had chipping, even with shellac and gel manicures. Once I started wearing gloves, problem solved.
The Bad
There really wasn’t anything that stood out. Remember, even though it is marketed as a 1 Step Gel, it still requires the same amount of dry time and care when you first get your nails polished. By day eight, the shine dulled slightly, but that’s common even with salon gel.
Final Thoughts
I don’t usually review nail polish, but It’s Topless impressed me enough to make an exception. Between the clever bottle design, the easy application, and the long wear, it stands out in a crowded market. It is available at Shoppers Drug Mart retailing for $16.99. If you loved the salon-exclusive shade Celine, the closest match you’ll find is Renee, a sheer nude pink.
