Layla Magneffect vs. Nails Inc. Magnetic Polish

So - ever since I heard about magnetic polish, I was dying to try it! If you haven't heard of it, magnetic polish has magnetic particles within the polish, and when you hold the provided magnet over the wet polish, it creates lines and waves in the polish (depending on the magnet used). I tried to hold back, however, because it is fairly expensive at about $15-$20/bottle. Of course - I finally lost all my will power when I read All Lacquered Up's post, here. She had so much great information and a swatch from every color of Layla Magneffect polish (12 different colors). She also gives tips on how to apply the polish, and to make sure you don't use polish remover on the magnet if you get polish on it. She even had a link of where to buy it on Amazon.com! Such torture! Needless to say, I ordered it and fell in LOVE.

Then of course, Sephora had to go ahead and offer Nails Inc. Magnetic Polish for $16.00/bottle. They currently are only selling two different colors. How could I go into the store, with it right in front of me, and not buy it!? I thought I would compare the two polishes, so here it is!

Layla Magneffect - Blue Grey Flow

Index and Middle - Two coats

Ring and Pinky - One coat

The lid of the polish has the magnet on it. The line in middle indicates which way the lines will show up on your nail. It just depends how you hold it over your polish. You can see a few spots where I have accidentally touched the magnet to my polish. Just wipe it off with a paper towel quickly, and don't use polish remover on it (it could ruin the magnet).

I hold the magnet against my skin in order to steady it and help to reduce smudges. You want to paint a coat of polish and immediately place the magnet on top of the nail (don't bother screwing the cap back on the bottle). I usually hold it for at least 15 to 20 seconds because I noticed if you remove the magnet too soon, the polish will try and flow back to the original color and the intensity of the stripes will be reduced.

Nails Inc. Magnetic Polish - Houses of Parliament

Index and Middle - Two coats

Ring and Pinky - One coat

You can see that Nails Inc. made their magnet removable from the top of the brush. The design of their magnet is a neat wave pattern.

Again, you hold the magnet over the wet polish for about 15-20 seconds. I really like two things about this magnet. First, the fact it's detached from the brush is great. I also like the little lip on the edge that helps you to keep it steady on your finger. It makes it easier to keep from accidentally bumping your wet polish. Also - look how strong this magnet is! You can see the polish actually trying to lift away from the nail, I didn't notice this with the Layla polish.

Just one more tip when using magnetic polish - if you are going to add a top coat, wait until the polish is practically dry (15-20 minutes), because if you brush on top coat while it's still wet - it will start to drag the magnetic particles and ruin the nice design you created.

All in all, I have to say I really like both of these polishes a lot! You can see from the pictures that you can probably get away with one coat of that Nails Inc., but you may want two coats of the Layla polish (or one thicker coat). I have read other bloggers mention a tip of putting a coat of black underneath your magnetic polish in order to not use as much of the polish and make it go further, but I haven't tried this myself. I also like the fact that Nails Inc. magnet is much easier to use and it detachable. If I had the choice to buy another though, I think I would go for Layla Magneffect. I like the fact that they have so many colors in their collection, and the effect on my nail seemed much more dynamic. It seems like the stripes are much brighter and more intense. But honestly, they are both great polishes.

Thanks for looking!