Love the look of freshly done nails, but hate the price of salon manicures? Great news! You don’t need to be a pro—or even use any polish—to do your own nails at home thanks to nail stickers, the latest at-home nail trend. “Nail stickers or nail wraps are a great option for those looking for a quick, no-mess alternative to regular polish” says Mazz Hanna, celebrity manicurist and CEO of Nailing Hollywood. “They are low maintenance and easy to apply!” Best of all, they cost a fraction of the price of an in-salon manicure. Keep scrolling for the best nail stickers and the easy how-tos for nails that wow.
What are nail stickers?
They’re small adhesive strips that you apply directly onto the nail’s surface. Nail stickers come in various and intricate designs, colors and patterns and can be used for accent nails or to cover the entire nail. They are typically easy to apply and just as easy to remove and most come with a variety of sizes so you can find the one that fits each nail best.
“While some of them wear similar to regular polish, others wear similar to a gel and require the use of an LED lamp, higher quality nail wraps tend to fit more comfortably, are easier to apply and appear more seamless,” says Hanna. In fact, there are even brands that customize the nail sticker to the exact size and shape of your nail beds.
Many nail stickers are made from a flexible material (often a thin layer of vinyl) that can be shaped to fit the nail, some require heat or an LED light to adhere properly and once they are on they mimic the look of nail polish or gel. Great for DIY nail art, they provide a quick and easy way to achieve a polished look without the need for professional application.
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The benefits of using nail stickers for women over 40
1. Nail stickers are low maintenance
“They’re perfect for women who may be juggling schedules or prefer to avoid the upkeep of traditional manicures,” explains Hanna.
2. Nail stickers are long-lasting
Explains Hanna: “In terms of wear time, high quality nail stickers or wraps can last 10-14 days when applied properly, which is comparable to a traditional manicure.”
3. Nail stickers won’t strip nails
“Instead of the constant removal of gel polish or regular polish with acetone-based products, many nail strips can be removed with an oil based product, making it moisturizing instead of stripping the oils from the nail plate,” explains celebrity manicurist Pattie Yankee who has painted the nails of stars like Priyanka Chopra and Allison Williams.
4. Nail stickers can help keep nails strong
“Additionally, they protect the natural nail as it grows out and help to seal cracks or splits in the nails,” says Yankee.
Nail sticker application tips from nail pros
When using non-gel nail stickers:
“You only have to push back the cuticles, file the free edge and then cleanse the nail with alcohol before applying—no buffing needed, which is great if you already have thin or brittle nails,” says Hanna. Then, simply remove the wrap/strip from the plastic sheeting, center on the nail and press firmly to smooth across the cuticle and nail plate. Once the nail wrap is adhered, use a file to remove the excess from the tip of the nail.
When using gel-based nail stickers:
Follow the same tips as above, then once applied, cure in an LED lamp usually for 60 seconds. After curing, file excess to remove and create desired shape and length. Hanna’s tip: Save the extras in your packs of stickers. “You can always create your own custom sets using leftovers from other packages to show off your own personal style!”
The best nail stickers
Best nail sticker variety
Color Street nail stickers are made from 100% polish but come in a dry strip form, with base coat, color coat and top coat in every strip. “They have a wide variety of high quality nail wrap designs–from solid colors and French mani options to glitter and fun prints” says Hanna. “Ballet Blush is a great option for all occasions. It’s a true classic that will look amazing in every season,” she adds.
Best nail stickers for custom fit
Manifest is a unique brand because not only do they offer nail stickers for hands and feet, but you can opt for either their standard fit or custom sizes where you scan your nails in their app and they send you stickers that fit your exact nail bed! “I’m loving this cinnamon drop design,” says Hanna.
Best nail stickers for real and fake nails
Sally Hansen Salon Effects “are the OG nail wrap and I love them because they come in a variety of fun patterns, are an accessible price point and are easy to find at the drugstore,” says Hanna. Their newly launched line can be applied directly to bare nails or extensions to give you the illusion of a full manicure with color and art.
Best gel nail stickers that don’t require a light
Lauren B Beauty is a female founded brand in LA that makes amazing gel nail wraps–made of 100% gel nail polish, says Hanna, but doesn’t require an LED light to apply. Her favorite: this gold ombre design.
Best gel nail stickers that require curing
While Dashing Diva has a few different lines of nail stickers and strips, the Dashing Diva Glaze line is Yankee’s favorite because it provides a gel-like finish “and is perfect for repairing cracked or broken nails and adding a little length and shape.” They’ve just launched a Fall collection that features a variety of magnetic/cat-eye effects that are typically only able to be done in the salon! Since they’re semi-cured all you need to do is apply the strips then cure them under a mini LED lamp, and you’re good to go.
Best nail stickers to take on vacation
Heyhae solar nail strips are made with sun-activated adhesive, so you can stick them on before you head out to the pool, beach or on a walk in the park. No sunlight? Standard room light will take a bit longer, but works just as well! Plus, they’re waterproof so your nails remain flawless after swimming, showering or getting caught in the rain. Our pick: Hey, You’re My Star.
Best hybrid nail stickers
Olive & June’s Super Stick Mani are more like a cross between nail stickers (you first apply an adhesive tab first) and a press on nail (applied second, they’re super thin so they don’t feel like fake nails), these nails are not only long-lasting, they’re only $8 a pop. Plus, you can choose the shape (squoval, round, coffin, stiletto) and length (extra extra short, extra short, short, medium) you want in advance. The Cateye tab press ons are purrfect for Halloween.
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