Its been a good couple of years since a serious new nail brand launched to the public - one that, in terms of quality of formula and range of colour, is up there with the likes of Essie and OPI - but now there is Rococo.
The brainchild of sisters Ange and Vernice Walker, this I-want-them-all collection of nail polishes is the result of 15 years hard graft in the beauty industry. The sisters regularly work at London Fashion Week, on numerous music videos and at Staffords hair salon in London every Saturday, where they give manicures to the likes of you and me.
I meet the sisters there, and while Vernice sets to work prepping my nails, I view the fantastic shade selection which this season includes everything you need, from chic nude and classic red to edgy metallic, glitter and neon (all £11.50). Theres also a pretty bling 24ct Gold Leaf Top Coat, (£22.50) which catches my eye it adds subtle flecks of gold to your base colour. Im told Lizzie Jagger, Daisy Lowe, Jaime Winstone and Alexa Chung are all big fans of Rococo - and I can see why. Jaimes must-haves are the fiery red BYT (Bright Young Thing) and Trash (a rebellious pinky-red), while Daisys current favourite shade is Eccentric (matte blue).
I opt for a mushroom metallic shade called Andromeda from the latest a/w2009 collection, which has the subtlest iridescent shimmer. It makes my nails look like theyve been coated in a futuristic foil, rather than painted. Indeed, the sisters tell me the a/w series is inspired by all things space age, including Star Wars characters, and so they work brilliantly with this seasons tough, glam-rock fashion trends, although Vernice assures me, their inspiration doesnt just come from the catwalks. We wouldnt just bring out a green, she says. There has to be a reason.
Rococo nail polishes available from Space NK Tel: 0208 740 2085
Staffords Salon 4 Regents Place; enq 020 7292 0300.
