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Stick on nail polish is nothing new, but the designs offered are too unique to pass up. I followed the instructions but added a few more steps of my own that I feel helped. After preparing my nails I applied a base coat, allowing it to dry before tackling the strips. A sticky base coat might be helpful for those who have had trouble with this product previously. This product seemed to perform better when at room temperature and with warm hands for better stretch and flexibility.
I laid out the sizes for each nail. I removed the clear plastic covering and protective backing before pulling off the 'tab' and applying. I pressed firmly for a few seconds at the cuticle/base of my nail before gently pulling the end of the strip to the very edge of it. With the pad of my thumb/finger from the opposite hand I smoothed the strip down. This is where having warm hands really helps.
Instead of filing around the cuticle and around the edge of the nail as the instructions suggested, I took the pointed end of the enclosed cuticle stick, dipped it lightly in polish remover, and drew it around my cuticle as close as I could get. That area of the strip should gently pull right off the skin around the cuticle. I did the same remover technique at the edge. I used the fine grit of the enclosed file for any rough spots. I finished off with a clear top coat.
Some of the strips didn't fit along the sides so I made patches using the discarded tabs and scraps. The cheetah pattern is diverse enough that patches are not visibly seen unless directly close up.
Days later, I managed to gouge this polish during a home repair. I buffed down the edges of the gouge with the enclosed file, cut a patch from a kept scrap, and attached it to the gouge using a tiny bit of clear polish (don't forget to smooth the edges of the patch when dry if needed). The repaired nail gets another coat of clear.
Lengthy explanation but the compliments and rewards are well worth it. The biggest benefit is that this polish is instantly dry, albeit the topcoat. Of course I had trouble and was angrily frustrated, but by the fourth nail I figured it out and added my own techniques. I hope this helps. I have bought 2 more boxes of Kitty Kitty for future use.
You can also find Sally Hansen polish strips at Kroger, Wal-Mart, Target, CVS-RiteAid-Walgreens for a few dollars cheaper and with a coupon.
Update: The instructions that accompany the box says to toss any open, leftover strips. This is because it is a lacquer that has literally been printed onto a thin plastic sheet and will dry out. The printed lacquer becomes brittle and uncooperative for future use. Place these leftovers in a snack zip lock bag after you've finished with your nails. Don't forget to press the air out of it before sealing and keep it out of sunlight (the UV will contribute to its deterioration). This helps keep it usable for a short time, but no guarantees.
Also, my experience with removal (off acrylic nails) has been mildly time consuming. It seems you need one fully saturated cotton ball of polish remover per nail, each applied for a few seconds or more before actively wiping away and with pressure. This polish was able to last 3 weeks on my acrylics.
For those that are still having a hard time, please try the following--
*Have the product at room temperature, your hands a dry warmth. The type where others have held your hand before and remarked how warm they are.
*Your nails are shaped and tip edges have no leftover nail fuzz underneath from moving back and forth with the nail file. Most information gathered from some of the beauty magazines I've read suggest you file in one direction or from side to tip.
*Cuticles are pushed back and any cuticle remnants on your nail buffed off. There should be a micro fine space between the cuticle and strip, no overlap.
*Your nails are clean, dry, and oil free. Use a sticky base coat if you have oily nail beds or have had problems with this product adhering.
*Use a topcoat. Be thorough. Get as close to the cuticle as you can without touching and cover down to the nail tip with a little under the edge.
*If you have trouble with removal, check to see how old your polish remover is as some of the ingredients evaporate over time.
Saturate your cotton and press onto your nail for a few seconds before wiping. This gives the remover some time to seep into the polish and loosen it.
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I'm very pleased with this product -I have now tried it 3 times in 3 different colors. I have had one bad experience, but I called the customer service number and they promptly sent me a replacement set. Hence the 4 stars instead of 5. I think this is a wonderful invention, with the caveat that there are some quality control issues. For an $8 manicure, I am ok with taking that risk sometimes :)What I like:
the first and third time I used these strips, they worked like a charm, and my nails looked like they had a professional manicure. The first set lasted close to 3 weeks. The 2nd set had a problem (see below). The 3rd set looks even better and was very easy to apply (probably since I "got the hang of it". They've been on almost a week and look great.
After applying them, the nails have _ZERO_ drying time --they go on dry, just a bit stretchy and there is a slight "nail polish" odor. Within minutes of applying them, I have driven, washed dishes, gone to bed etc.
My nails have seemed stronger since wearing these
no chips (or very little), peeling, etc. The main reason they start to look worse is that they grow out with your nails.
love how the shine remains on them the whole time you have them they don't ever look faded or dull.
UPDATE --after a week I did notice some pretty significant fading on the Cry Baby Pink color. I thought I was imagining it but I saved the original box with the "spare" strips and there was a huge difference. I still have them on, and the shine and lack of chipping is great. The color is now a much more "milky" pink. I actually don't mind the color but it is much different than when they were applied. Did not happen with the violet or gold colors that I tried. But I have been swimming and out in the sun more as well.
Comes off with regular polish remover I think there is a white-ish adhesive layer -it also comes off with the remover, just seemed to take slightly more effort than with traditional polish.
What I didn't like:
Most importantly it seems that some of the packages have "bad" sets of strips. The second time I used this product (the bright orchid color), the strips were not very flexible, didn't stretch well, sometimes ripped as I was pulling them over my nail and didn't adhere well started pulling up from the sides after a couple days. When I called the 800 number on the box, the rep said that it's possible for this to happen if a package gets a little air in it (the nail strips arrive in a sealed packet) during packaging or something. She offered me a replacement and it arrived in about 3 days.
also, I'm hoping if these catch on, that more colors become available, both traditional as well as the fun patterns.
Tips:
I think you really need to follow the preparation instructions including swabbing each nail with polish remover ahead of time. When I had the problem with them adhering, it was a bad set, but I wondered if I should have been more thorough with the preparation too. The other 2 times, I paid close attention to the preparation (just buffing, nail polish remover, and filing/pushing cuticles) and all went fine.
When applying the strip, as you pull it toward the end of your nail, if you are careful, you can "tear" it as it folds over your nail (instead of filing it off). This makes a neat line that fits your nail exactly.
when choosing the strip for each nail and sizing them, I suggest going a little smaller/narrower vs. larger/wider. If the strip is slightly large, you will have to "trim" or file around the cuticle area and there is more room for error. If it is a little narrower than your nail, it goes on easily, and the gap is hardly noticeable.
you can press out small bubbles and wrinkles with your fingertip.
In summary, I congratulate Sally Hansen/Coty on a great idea. I hope these catch on -this seems so much better than messy polish, drying time, chips etc.! I also hope that they improve the quality control (what about an expiration date, too... I would think this might be appropriate) and expand the color choices. Thanks!!
Best Deals for Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips 16 ea
I bought these at a CVS with a $1.00 off coupon and applied them over a week ago. I need to take them off but ONLY because my nails have grown out.I am a 38-year old wife and mother of two. I work full time at an administrative job, so I am tapping on a keyboard all day. I also do very intricate hair styles for my daughter. I have no cook, no maid, no gardener. Needless to say, I use my hands a LOT and I'm no kept woman or OC housewife. I'm a useful woman with a busy lifestyle.
These stood up to everything I put them through. They were great, very easy to apply and lasted over a week.
The only reason, I gave them 4 stars instead of 5 is because, while they are cheaper than having my nails polished professionally, I do think they are over priced. Even with my coupon, they were over $10.
Honest reviews on Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips 16 ea
I LOVE this product! I've been using them for about 8 months, and I have learned some tips to share with you.1. Make sure your nails are clean, clean, CLEAN and dry before you start!
2. They last longer if you put a swipe of a basecoat (I use Orly rubberized basecoat) JUST on the tip of your nail (the white part), then apply the strip right away.
3. Apply at least one layer of good quality topcoat, making sure to get it all the way to the tips, then swipe the brush along the free edge of your nail.
4. You CAN save and use any left-over strips, even though they've "dried out". Just apply a thin layer of basecoat, then put the "dried out" strip on while your nail is still wet. Press it down firmly, but let it "set" for a while before you try to remove the excess.
5. If you don't have really long nails, you can cut the strips in half (across) and use them on your toes, or do a second full manicure (using tip #4 if they've "dried out").
Now, go have fun experimenting with the different patterns and colors, and get ready for some compliments!
Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips 16 ea
I bought these because I'm much too inept to paint designs on my own nails, and manicures are expensive. I purchased both the zebra print and the "Raise a Glass."Overall, these were great. They're easy to apply, and almost always stick on the first try. The strips are long enough that you can cut them in half and get 32 strips, enough for two manicures. This makes them worth it, at least to me. The zebra pattern was fun and I got lots of compliments. The gold ones were very pretty. Each lasted nearly two weeks with no chips, and a few days longer with minor ones. They were very easy to remove, since hot water and some polish remover loosened them, allowing me to peel them right off.
They do take a little practice, however. Even now, when I've used them multiple times, one usually just won't stick right and I have to redo it. This is fine with me, since extras are included.
Helpful tips: Cut each in half and lay them in order. Then peel off the upper layer. Buff each nail clean, then peel the backs off the strips and press. The trick to is use the white side of the nail file included to really press down the strips, and use the stick provided to roll out any bubbles and seal them on. If you find that they peel in the front, use the rough side of the file to really get off any excess that might snag and peel the strips off.
