There was frenzy. Media outlets around the world covered the spray nail polish Nails Inc. announced, only a few days before the big launch. You could even pre-order!

Is it the end of manicures as we know it? I even asked myself. Well, now I can report that Paint Can is not really going to stop my usual mani routine. Why? Read on.

Delivery was quick; I pre-ordered, the product went on sale on a Thursday and on Monday I had my delivery. It also came with a £10 off a nail service at Nails Inc shops or concessions, which I thought it was rather lovely. The can is quite small, to be honest, I had seen it at the Debenhams Christmas event but couldn’t remember it being that tiny.

I set up lots of magazine pages (thanks Glamour) onto my dinner table, as I was worried about the mess. And added my usual topcoat (I didn’t buy the Nails Inc. one) to all my clean nails.

I decided to try it on a “busy woman” scenario. It was 22:30 and I had to sort out my nails for the next morning before bed.

A couple shakes and a nervous me sprayed the silver – I went for Shoreditch Lane – on my talons. Instead of doing the “one-press-move-around-all-fingers”, I pressed individually on each nail, which I think helped minimise the mess. Overall, that was less that I expected.

Pigmentation is very good; I had to go over a couple nails twice, but in general, I was quite impressed. The shade is a lovely glittery silver with a smooth and shiny finish.

I applied my trusted Seche Vite topcoat to seal the paint and after a few minutes, although I was digging the silver dipped finger, I used a wet wipe to remove the excesses around my fingers.

Immediately after cleaning with a wet wipe

That was probably the best bit of all: how amazingly easy the excess came off. Admittedly, the final result wasn’t tidy enough for me (easily solved with a wooden stick, cotton wool and polish remover) and my hands remained glittery for a couple of washes with water and soap but really, wow.

Usually, I’d remove the excesses on the skin around the nail with a dry wooden manicure stick soon after applying the topcoat, which is what I’d do for a flawless mani. As I know most women don’t do that, I decided to skip that step for testing purposes.

After tidying up

So I fine-tuned the finish with the wooden stick, cotton wool and nail polish remover and went to bed. It dries mega quickly after applied, even before the topcoat and I went straight to bed and there were no marks. Points for that.

The whole process was very quick, possibly slightly quicker than a simple paint job (especially when drying is involved). And the result was very good.

Although Nails Inc says that using a topcoat the duration is up to four days, that for me isn’t that great. It chipped within two days and in three there was considerable peeling. I think pretty much in-line with the brands promises.

The one finger I didn’t put a topcoat on purpose, got scratched so I could see the nail by the end of the first day.

Worth remembering that my usual manicures last between 7-10 days, chip free, using the same base and topcoat I used with this one.

It might be that using the Nails Inc 2 in 1 base and topcoat, which is recommended by the brand would improve that, but, although that product is very good, it doesn’t seem to be new and exclusive for the Paint Can, and probably on the same quality to the one I used.

The verdict: great for emergencies and/or a quick change. Nails in a hurry, for a couple of days, fab for the party season. Otherwise, give me the traditional method any day.

Having said that, it was a lot of fun to apply, quite pretty and let’s not deny, revolutionary. It is after all, the first in the world and I praise Nails Inc, a brand I am a big fan of, for the innovation.

Would I buy again? Head says no, but the nail junkie in me says “let’s try the pink”.

Nails Inc Paint Can costs only £10 (plus p&P) and can be purchased on their site. I believe it is well priced and was very happy to pay that amount.

I was told it sold out three times in pre-order and is currently sold out on the site, but you can sign up to get notified when it pops back in stock.

The video was recorded especially for this post; the trial described above was my very first use of the product.