For Do-It-Yourself Nail Artists

WITH the rising popularity of salon nail art, companies have started to introduce affordable do-it-yourself versions. Impress Press-On Manicure by Broadway Nails is like an updated version of Lee Press-On Nails. More substantial than polish strips, the hard, nail-like adhesives are long and come in 18 trendy colors ($5.99 at drugstores, including Walgreens),
and 18 patterns ($7.99). Once applied, there seemed to be too much space between the real and fake nails toward the cuticle, which made an irritating gathering spot for stray fibers. The adhesives looked decent and survived a multitude of weekend chores. But after 24 hours they were officially annoying me, so I pulled them off, which felt odd but not painful.

I also sampled some plaid and argyle patterns from Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips ($9.99 at most drugstores) . Though my favorite, they took practice; I’d often tear the flimsy material or, worse, mislay it over cuticles. But application became easier with practice (especially since a file and cuticle stick are included in the packet), and my nails inspired many compliments. Removing them, though, caused cramps in my fingers (polish remover helps). 

Nail Rock, a British import, offers “wrap” designs that include metallic stars and psychedelic swirls — not polish, but adhesives that you simply pull off once you’re done. Although less flexible than Salon Effects, they were much easier to remove. They do indeed pull off like stickers. And when applied methodically, they looked like the leading salon brand, Minx. ($8 at Nordstrom and CVS stores and at CVS.com.)


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