I’m a beauty editor who’s been on a nail health journey for the past year. I am looking for long and healthy nails and so I am testing all Best nail strengthener and cuticle oil that I come across. However, there are two problems with this. One, these nail health products work best on bare nails (so I have to give up my nail polish), and two, many of the nail strengtheners I’ve tested are almost always clear, which can sometimes get a little boring and adds another step if I plan on applying polish on top. Ideally, I want the same thing, you know?
I already love Manucurist nail colors (and the Manucurist Green Flash LED kit, which is a great gel nail alternative, BTW). But I had yet to try the Active Glow nail polish I was looking forward to All On my feed right now. These nail polishes combine nail-nourishing ingredients with a beautiful shade of flaky color that makes your nails look so juicy and healthy while also making them look really healthy.
The Active Glow polishes (part of Manucurist’s Active range, which includes Active Smooth, Active Bright and Active Blur) come in four clear, nail-brightening shades including Blueberry, Grape, Raspberry and Cranberry, each looking just as juicy as the other. I got my hands on them and tested each shade to see how they looked and worked on my nails.
Manucurist Active Glow
(Image credit: @eleanorvousden for Who What Wear UK)
Main Ingredients: Blueberry, Sweet Almond Oil, Alpha-Hydroxy Acid, Lactobacillus Fermentation
Pros
- strengthens nails
- Adds a healthy complexion
- can be layered
Shortcoming
- If you want opaque polish this is not for you
1. Blueberry
Manucurist
Active Glow Blueberry
Blueberry has a deep pink hue, and this is the shade I was drawn to try first. The translucent blueberry shade instantly brightens nails with one coat, but if you prefer more color you can get a bolder look with two or three coats for a tinted lip gloss effect. What impresses me about these polishes is how shiny and thick they make my nails look. They’re a great protective layer, even if you’re wearing just one coat, and they made my nails feel stronger within a few days.
2. Grapes
Manucurist
active glow grapes
Grape is a more purple-toned, juicy nail color, which is ideal if you prefer something more bold but still sheer and translucent on the nails. I’ve tried a lot of nail tints, but I haven’t found a purple tone like this one, so this one is pretty unique in that regard. Manucurists recommend experimenting with layering different colors, and this makes a great base shade to mix with other colors.
3. Raspberry
Manucurist
active glow raspberry
As the name suggests, Raspberry is a peachy-pink shade, and after testing each shade, this is my absolute favorite shade. One coat brightens the nails (it’s probably the most subtle color of the collection), but two or three really amp up the color to a more jelly-like pink I know I’m going to wear all summer long. It’s fruit water in a bottle.
4. Cranberry
Manucurist
Active Glow Cranberry
Finally, we have cranberries. This coral color is the juiciest looking of the bunch so Beautiful. I found that it got the most color on the first coat and gave my nails a beautiful color without needing multiple layers. I think it would also look great as a summer pedicure color.
final thoughts
I am so impressed with these nail tints. I love how thick and shiny they make my nails look, and they easily last five to seven days, and because they’re so transparent, any chunks of any kind are barely visible. The colors are so pretty, but I have to say raspberry is my favorite, giving a sheer pink glow to the nails. No matter the shade, one coat adds a glossy color, while if you want a stronger color two or three coats provide a more juicy finish. If you want something that will strengthen your nails as well as give them a glossy shine then this is a great low maintenance nail color. I’m excited to incorporate different shades and find a new favorite Nail Polish Layering Combo.
Buy Now:
Manucurist
Active Glow Blueberry
Manucurist
active glow grapes
Manucurist
active glow raspberry
Manucurist
Active Glow Cranberry
How we tested
I tested each of the Manucurist Active Glow shades, wearing each over the course of a month to test the shades and also how well they strengthened and lasted my nails. I layered each shade on my nails to see how each polish looked with one coat as well as two or three coats.
why trust us
At Who What Wear UK, we know beauty isn’t one size fits all. Our editors have tested thousands of products over the years, including some skin care, makeup, hair and nails and have worked closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, makeup artists and leading industry insiders—to make sure each guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver results, whether they’re affordable favorites or luxury investments. Our product selections are based on real results, ingredient information, and what we would actually recommend to a friend.
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