Was it easy to apply?

Velvet: Kind of - you start off with a swipe of red polish and then dunk it in to a bag of velvety hair – which is easy enough, but removing all the excess hair is the tricky part! It got everywhere, and I couldn’t blow it off! A small brush would help solve this problem.

Nail art pen: You need a steady hand for this, but the pen is very easy to use, and memories of my GCSE art skills came flooding back as I happily doodled away. I copied a design on the WAH nails website.

Gel kit: The instructions are very clear, and although it's annoying having to cure you nails for three minutes after every single coat, it's really easy to do at home.

Did it look good?

Velvet: I quite liked the purple – it stood out more than the red which I tried, and although it felt a bit odd at first, I couldn’t stop stroking my nails afterwards.

Nail art pen: I thought it looked cool - although one hand was better than the other!

Gel kit: Loved it - like I'd had a proper mani!

What was the reaction from other people when you wore it?

Velvet: A huge mix – ranging from “wow, that’s so cool!” to “disgusting – like a fungal nail infection” – it certainly divides opinions…

Nail art pen: It went down a treat at Bestival

Gel kit: Everyone thought I'd had a manicure.

How long did it last?

Velvet: A lot of the fluff did start to moult the next morning, but then I was moving house and doing a lot of cleaning, so it was a particularly harsh test!

Nail art pen: After a few days some of the designs rubbed off, but it still looked ok.

Gel kit: About two weeks - it survived a festival - that's all you need to know.

Was it easy to do everyday tasks with it on?

Velvet: It stays on remarkably well after washing your hands, the fur just gets a little bit soggy but dries quickly. Doing it at work was a mistake as I got hair all over my desk!

Nail art pen: Yep, no problems at all - I even did my handiwork at my desk!

Gel kit: No worries about chipping so yes, very easy.

Would you wear it again/recommend it?

Velvet: I would try it again with a pastel colour, and with a brush to sweep away excess hairs. I reckon this takes practice but looks cool after a few tries – you get a lot of hair in the bag to experiment with!

Nail art pen: Yes, but I'd practice some more so I get better at it!

Gel kit: Yes - I didn't want to give it back!

If you would, where would you wear it?

Velvet: It didn’t really chip off so you still have a slightly bald but ok look after a few days.

Nail art pen: It's great for a festival, party or fashion week.

Gel kit: Anywhere - the colours are quite plain and chic - red and pink.

On a scale of 1-5, how good are you at nail art?

Probably a 2 – I can paint but I’m not great at nail wraps.

Elinor Block, Online Writer at shortlist.com, tried Nailease Half Moon Zebra Flouro Nail wraps, £5.99 (above) and YSL Manicure Couture Les Fauves Duo No. 2: Griffe D’Argent, available exclusive to Selfridges, £24 (below)

Nail art trends tried and tested