True, I could give myself a manicure the old-fashioned way, brushing on a base coat, carefully coating each nail with two (or sometimes three) layers of polish and finishing with a clear top coat to seal the deal, all the while hoping that a stray strand of tabby fur doesn’t fall on my handiwork before it dries, but these are modern times.
The future is now! — and in it, I’m wearing nail polish stickers. 🙂
Yup, that’s right. Nail polish stickers, like these Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips. Each $9 (or thereabouts) kit comes with 16 pre-printed strips in various sizes, a cuticle stick and a miniature nail file/buffer — all the fixin’s for a futuristic, laquer-less manicure.
Talk about handy (haha! — sorry, bad pun), and lately, they’ve been saving my butt.
Stylish nails on the go
Before my quick trip down to Southern California last week, I had every intention of painting my nails, but time got away from me, and I had to head to the airport with bare claws.
But I couldn’t bear the thought of interviewing Too Faced Cosmetics Co-Founder and Creative Director Jerrod Blandino with naked nails, so at the last second, right before darting out the door, I dropped a set of Sally’s dark red and black snakeskin nail polish strips (codename: Venom Vixen) into my overnight bag.
It’s one of four snakeskin-inspired sets for fall. There’s also a tan and brown one called Queen Cobra, a black and gray one called Snake Charmer and a green and black one called Hiss-Terical (I love those names!).
Ye olde airport bathroom test
I had some time to spare before my flight and still really, really wanted to paint my nails, but I wasn’t about to attempt that at the airport. I did, however, think I might be able to apply Sally’s nail polish strips.
And I did! Standing at the sink in the ladies’ room! 🙂
At one point, a woman using the sink next to me asked, “What are those? They look pretty cool.”
“They’re nail stickers,” I answered. “You stick ’em on bare nails, and then press them down, and file or just tear off the edge.”
They’re basically like nail polishes in sticker form, and when you’re ready to remove them, you can use regular old nail polish remover.
They took about 10 minutes to apply under less-than-ideal circumstances. Not bad. And the best part? — not having to wait for them to dry.
How’s the wear time?
Hmm… This was my second time wearing Sally’s Salon Effects Strips, and again, they just didn’t last as long as I’d hoped. The box claims you can expect up to 10 days, but I was already noticing chips on the second day! And yes, in both cases, I cleaned my nails thoroughly to remove all the dirt and oil beforehand, and followed the application directions to a “t.”
Gah! I think wear time might be their weak spot.
On the second day, I was even able to slide off the stickers after a warm shower (warm water really does a number on ’em, loosening the adhesive or something).
I’ve heard that a clear top coat applied every couple days can help. I haven’t tried it yet, but I definitely will. As it stands, these aren’t what I’d call sturdy, but they sure are convenient.
The bottom line
I think they’re great to have on hand in a pinch, when you’re running late for something and don’t have the time for a full manicure, and I think I’ll keep a box at home for that, just in case.
PRICE: Around $9
AVAILABILITY: Available now at Target stores and target.com
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B
They call it mellow Monday
I really needed a day like today. Tabs was kind enough not to ride me too hard, and I managed to finish all of the tasks on my to-do list by a decent hour. Not too shabby, tabby. I plan to enjoy it while it lasts.
Tonight for din-din, I’m just making myself some improv pasta with garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, dried red peppers and parmesan cheese, which I’m gonna eat while I look for something to watch on Netflix (any recommendations?).
I feel like I’m going through withdrawals from Friday Night Lights, so I’m not quite ready to commit to a new show yet, although I’m very curious about Homeland (the one starring Claire Danes). Tonight, I think a movie sounds better.
How about you? What are you up to over there? Whatever it is, I hope it involves chocolate. 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
A top coat definitely increases wear time. Seche Vite works wonders and enhances the look. 🙂
LOVE Seche Vite!
That’s so weird because mine lasted about two weeks. Probably would’ve been more but I got bored with them. Did you clean them with polish remover before applying them on? You gotta make sure you take any oil & dirt away before applying.
I sure did! Both times. Even with the cleaning, they still don’t last on me.
Awww, I want to pet Tabs’ tumtum!
Nice nails, shame they didn’t last on you! My nails are always bare… can’t deal with the upkeep!
I definitely picked up some chocolate to get myself through a management paper yesterday… I can’t have caffeine, and I don’t smoke, so I need chocolate to get through homework!
I wish there was a way for you to pet his tum. I’m sure he’d appreciate the variety. 🙂 I know he gets sick of my petting all the time, LOL!
Chocolate as homework motivation is the best. What kind did you have? For brownies and cookies I like semi-sweet, and for regular candies and snacks I love milk chocolate.
Virtual tummy-petting would be great!
I bought this brand of candy bars called Unjunked – the caramel chocolate nougat bars. No High-Fructose Corn Syrup, and delicious! I also bought some tootsie rolls :p
I had the same wear results. I followed the instructions exactly because I read reviews about that being the issue. I wore the leopard ones for a LMFAO Party Rock party and they were chipped by the next day. I liked them, in theory, but they were a B*TCH to remove (SERIOUSLY).
Hi Kristina,
Glad to know I’m not the only one!
I like the Sally Hansen nail strips for the artsy ones because I couldn’t do nail art to save my life! Also, as you have pointed out, they are quick and easy to install and look pretty good. I had fair wear time with mine, and I have read that to prolong wear time, you can put a layer of top coat on 🙂
Yup, I’ve heard that too!
I still have a box to try, and the OPI strips too.. but I’m always afraid that they will chip too fast so I’m keeping them for a special occasion.. which never come. lol
Hi CrystalCandy,
I’ve tried both of the brands and think that the OPI ones last longer. They’re not as shiny, but are thicker and sturdier.
You have to clean your nails really well with nail polish remover beforehand, otherwise they won’t stay on longer than 3 days. I slapped some on when I was in a hurry, and had a chip within a few hours (boo!). With proper care, I’ve had them last up to 10 with minimal chipping.
Hi Puffy,
I actually cleaned my nails in both instances and followed the directions to a T. Unfortunately they just don’t last long on my fingers.
Homeland is ahhhhhmazing. I can’t recommend it highly enough. And that’s coming from another FNL fan! 🙂 Tabs looks to be in need of some major belleh motorboats.
Hi Caroline,
I’ve heard great things about the show. Can’t wait to watch it!
And LOL…as I type this sentence, Tabs is perched over my right shoulder. It’s very awkward! I think he forgets that he’s no longer a tiny kitten. 🙂
Have a great Tuesday!
LOL that is one mellow tabby 😉
I still haven’t tried any nail strips, but knowing myself they’ll probably also chip on me the second day! I do think I’d appreciate them as an emergency measure though. Can probably do this very easily on the train!
Hi Sunny,
Yes, you could do them on the train, but I’d probably still find a bathroom. The stickers still have that nail polish scent.
I just bought the Halloween edition of those stickers with cute spiderwebs, saving them for Halloween though 🙂
Hi Agata,
How fun! Are you dressing up this year?
Probably, if someone throws a party 🙂 I love halloween 🙂
Me too. Mostly because there’s candy involved. 🙂 Mini Snickers? I’m so there!
God I love these strips! I had two killer wears with them this year, one was on our trip to Costa Rica, where they hung on for ten days of backpacking + citysurfing. The second was when I did the West Coast Trail. It was 6 days of hiking hell. Wiki it if you are curious. Anyway, both times, they did look a little bedraggled by the end (chips at free edge) but were still somewhat presentable. I second the clean-with-remover sentiment to help longevity. I haven’t tried the clear coat thing yet either, will keep you posted once I do! Love you to and the Tabmeister!
Hi Indoorkitty,
Sounds like you took some fun trips!
And yes, I did follow the directions to a T, including cleaning off my nails first completely. They still didn’t last long at all. I think I’m just really hard on my hands.
Hope you’re doing well and having a great Tuesday. 🙂
Ohhh Tabs. <3
He’s such an exhibitionist!
I know right? How do you live with such fabulousness!
I bite my cuticles so I can’t do these funky things that draw attention to my nails, but they are super cute to have in a hurry!
Ooh…. you could start Ringer. Only one season and with a cliffhanger but oh well. Or watch battle royale…. japanese flick 100x more intense than Hunger games.
Hi Jennifer,
I watched a few eps of that when it was on (love Sarah Michelle Gellar), but I couldn’t get into it.
I just started Revenge last night. Have you seen it before? It’s okay so far.
I wear these pretty consistently as accent nails. I always, always put a top coat on right after applying them (seche vite, always) and have had them stay on without chips for about six days. Without top coat? Chip city in just hours.
I have a very similar problem with any nail polish chipping very easily- I think it’s my hand position as I type throughout the day (even with short nails). I seem to type on my nail edge instead of the pads of my fingertips!
Hi JoAnn,
I think typing is my issue too. I’m at the keyboard virtually all day. You wouldn’t think that it would be rough on nails, but it really is!
i’m gonna try it this weekend!
Awesome!
I have a box of this too, in glittery pink color. 🙂
Sounds pretty! Are you going to try it soon?
Waiting for some party coming up for the Holiday season soon….. 🙂
I want to watch Friday Night Lights, time to get going! My 17 year old and I watched the entire four seasons of Parks and Recreation over the summer and I haven’t laughed that hard in ages. I am totally addicted to that show and am hoping this is not the last season.
Want to try the nail stickers, nothing lasts on my nails so I’ll have low expectations!
I’ve had a box of these nail stickers in a zebra pattern for a long time, but I’ve never tested them. Need to! (zebra is probably not the easiest thing to wear…)
I feel you about kitty hair ruining a mani, it happens to me all the time…
Netflix suggestion… GREYS ANATOMY!
I’ve tried many different colors and patterns because – some wear like iron (like the nude with black lace) and some chip by day (super cool blue ombre glitter) follow the same exact procedure every time (np remover, no top coat). I keep going back for more because the colors that wear well wear as well as shellac.
I really like these- a easy way to get creative nails.