Nailing it nationwide: The best nail bars in Ireland

Christian Louboutin Beauté at Brown Thomas is adding two new nail shades to its collection. The brand in its entirety is a hyper-luxe celebration of glamour and beauty. When you buy a product from the range, you are paying for the Louboutin name as much as the exquisite packaging and product.

Baraboum is a rich royal blue that works perfectly to offset any skin tone. Bolidonna is a bright berry violet red. One of these shades will set you back €45.If Louboutin nail polishes are slightly out of your budget, or you prefer someone else to do the work of painting your nails for you, there are plenty of options around the country for a perfect manicure. Here are a few of the best as showcased by images from their Instagram accounts.

Nails Inc at Brown Thomas Beauty Lounge Dublin (from €25)

For city centre accessibility, chic yet cosy atmosphere and sheer choice of colour and finish, Nails Inc at Brown Thomas’ Beauty Lounge is unbeatable. Their Gel Switch Treatment (€49) allows you to convert any of their more than 100 shades into a gel polish with four weeks of guaranteed wear.

5th Avenue Nail Boutique Cork (from €13)

5th Avenue has salons in Cork and Dublin. They’re known for having a large menu of manicure options – the coconut and men’s manicures are particularly nice options. A mini manicure – essentially a classic file and polish – starts at €13.

What Uma Thurman bought on her Dublin shopping spree

---

A groom’s guide to wedding style: black tie is out

---

How to dress for the four-seasons-in-a-day Irish summer

---

Tropical Popical Dublin (from €15)

Tropical Popical has a well-deserved place in nail lore. Ever since Saoirse Ronan's effusive mentions of the Dublin nail salon on The Ellen Show, "Trop Pop" has solidified its well-earned place in the hearts of the nation. Famed for intricate and fun nail art as well as innovation and classic techniques and finishes, it never disappoints. Book early and often.

Mink Hand and Foot Spa Dublin (from €25)

I have never been to a nail bar or salon that can rival the attention to detail found at mink. I've often been annoyed after paying for a manicure that a minor error – a small bubble in polish, a missed patch of nail, or a little snag of untrimmed cuticle – is dismissed as no big deal. Whenever I've witnessed a rare error on behalf of Mink technicians (no matter how tiny) they will clean the nail and start again. Mink's are the most flawless manicures in Ireland.

 DryBy London (from £25)

If you find yourself in London this summer, it is worth booking an appointment at Dryby in advance. Their blow dries are famed, but their nail services really shine. Their take on nail art – never garish and always supremely wearable – is inimitable.