Active Plump Aqua Glazed

Active Plump Aqua Glazed is the cooler sister of Active Plump Pink Glazed: a Manucurist care polish in milky mother-of-pearl with a fine bluish shimmer running through it, like light on water. Coverage is semi-opaque, so the nail still shows through, and it goes on slightly thicker than a classic polish. That is what creates the plumping effect: nails look more curved and stronger, and small ridges fade visually.

Like every polish in the Active range, it goes straight onto bare nails, without base or top coat, because the care ingredients need to reach the nail. Manucurist uses plant proteins, which the brand calls plant collagen, plus extract of the sea grape alga Caulerpa lentillifera for moisture. Glycolic, malic and lactic acid along with hexanal are meant to make nails more resistant to breakage. According to the brand, 77% of the ingredients are of natural origin (ISO 16128).

One coat gives a subtle pearly sheen; two coats make the shade milkier and the volume effect more pronounced. Aqua Glazed also layers well with other Active shades, for example over Active Smooth for a more even base. It air-dries, lasts up to seven days and comes off with a gentle nail polish remover. The Active range is not compatible with Green Flash, but works well between two gel manicures.

In a dermatologically controlled test by Manucurist with 21 women, 90% saw instant volume on their nails after 21 days, and 85% felt their nails were better hydrated.