A daily hit of the most stupendously brilliant things to land on the beauty desk. This is survival of the fittest

Top coats are good. They make nails hard and shiny and smooth. Everyone has one hiding in that bottom drawer or vanity case.

But what about a matte one? Bet there aren't so many of them knocking about. And there should be. Because as nice as shiny is, it's good to be different sometimes and have a chicly finished matte nail. Think about it: matte black, a matte coral, even a matte pink shade. It youthful and edgy. We like it a lot.

Dolce & Gabbana Matte Top Lacquer, £19 at Harrods