Wool Goddess

Painting my nails red was always on my non-negotiable list. It was one of those things I would do regardless of anything. For me, my red nails symbolised so much. Even when I was very poorly after an operation or bedbound in a fibromyalgia flare, my red nails made me feel like me again. They were part of my old identity that I never wanted to lose, and I held onto them no matter what.

Then, quite suddenly, one day recently, they didn’t matter anymore.

It was a strange realisation, rather like that moment in Forrest Gump when he has been running for years and, for no reason at all, simply stops and says he’s finished running. That’s exactly how it felt.

I’m not sure whether it’s the result of weeks and months of intensive cognitive behavioural therapy, or whether it’s something much more surface-level, but I just don’t feel the same about my red nails anymore.

So I’ve stopped painting them.

I’ll admit, they look awful at the moment. Years of red polish have left them badly stained, and they’re quite brittle. But after only two weeks, I can already see beautiful new growth coming through, and I’m genuinely excited to see my natural nails again.

I’ve been keeping them filed very short until all of the stained nail has grown out. After a deep dive into nail care and polish research, I’ve decided to use a hybrid nail polish that doubles as a nourishing treatment. Alongside that, I’ve been massaging jojoba oil into my cuticles every day.

Manucurist Active Glow is a hybrid nail polish that acts as both a sheer, glossy veil for your nails and a deeply nourishing treatment. It’s designed to instantly brighten nails with a healthy, natural tint while supporting stronger, healthier nails over time.

So, if you’d like to, follow along as I swap my signature red nails for a journey towards strong, healthy, natural ones. I have a feeling this is about much more than just nail polish.

Love & hugs