About Health: 4 Tips for Using Nail Polish Strips

4 Tips for Using Nail Polish Strips

Let’s face it: Unless you’re a nail polish Picasso, your DIY manicure probably doesn’t look nearly as good as a salon job. And trendy nail art designs are even HARDER to pull off yourself. Enter nail appliqués: stickers made of a thin layer of nail polish with an adhesive back that flex to fit the contour of your nails. They give you perfectly patterned fingertips—without the wet mess. “Nail polish strips let you get creative and expressive without needing the artistic skills,” says Women’s Health beauty editor Jill Percia. “They’re edgy, cool, and fun!”

To apply nail polish strips, follow the instructions on the package and use these tricks from Percia:

1. Avoid crinkling
Slapping down the sticker over your entire nail can cause bubbles. Start at the base of the nail, then smooth down the rest as work your way to the tips.

2. Resize as needed
Appliqués peel easily if they’re too big—the strips shouldn’t touch cuticles or skin. Use a wood cuticle stick or a metal cuticle pusher to “slice” off the excess.

3. Prevent peeling
Fold the very tip of the sticker over the end of your nail to “cap” it. Covering the nail edge ensures that the end of the strip won’t peel off every time you touch something.

4. Keep it simple
With strips, sometimes less is more. Try doing an accent nail (either index or ring finger) on each hand and then paint the others with a solid shade.

Ready to try nail appliqués? Check out our 7 favorite designs:

L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Nail Lingerie in Elite Chic, $8.95, (18 nails), Walmart.com