THE VARNISH ROOM
THE VARNISH ROOM
A set that fits properly sits flush to the skin, feels like your own nails and lasts far longer. All you need is a strip of clear tape, a pen and a ruler.
Start with a clean, unpolished nail. Push the cuticle back if you normally would, so you're measuring the whole nail plate.
Lay clear tape across the widest part of the nail. Mark where the nail meets the skin on each side — the two sidewalls.
Peel the tape off, lay it flat on a ruler and read the distance between your two marks in millimetres.
Match each measurement to the chart below — sizes run 0 (largest) to 11 (smallest). Repeat for all ten fingers.
If you fall between two sizes, take the larger one — a nail that's a shade too big can be filed down in seconds. One that's too small never sits right and lifts at the edges.
Measure the widest point of your nail, then find the closest size. Size 0 is the largest — usually a thumb — and 11 the smallest.
Oval shapes run a fraction differently — up to half a millimetre across some sizes. Send me your measurements in millimetres rather than size numbers and I'll match every nail to the shape you've chosen.
Every design in the collection can be painted onto any of these. Tell me which you'd like when you send your sizes.
Because every set is painted to order, I size each nail against your own measurements — so millimetres are more useful to me than size numbers. Add your chosen shape and length and I'll do the rest.
Always take the bigger one. A slightly large nail files down to a perfect fit along the sidewalls in seconds — a small one leaves a gap at the edges, catches on things and lifts early.
Yes — your thumbs and little fingers are rarely the same width as the rest, and one wrong nail is always the one that pops off. It takes about five minutes for both hands.
It happens, and it's fixable. Message me before you order if you're unsure and I'll talk you through it. If a set arrives and a nail or two isn't sitting right, tell me — a gentle file usually solves it, and I'll note the correction for your next set.
Absolutely. Once you've sent them I keep them on file, so every future set is a one-line order. Your nail bed width doesn't really change.
Same method, smaller nails — the chart runs down to 6.7mm, which covers most children. Measure your child's nails exactly as above and send them over. Kids' sets are £9, £12 or £15 depending on the design.
With sticky tabs, a few days to a week — and they come off cleanly, so you can re-wear the same set. With nail glue you'll get longer wear, but the set is harder to reuse. Both options are covered in the guide that comes in your kit.