If you love having your nails done but don’t love doing your nails or going to a salon, you’re not alone. There are more options than ever for pretty nails at home. Let’s talk about 3 of them.
Traditional Nail Polish
The classic option. You’ve probably got a bottle (or 57, no judgments) somewhere in your house.
Traditional polish gives you the most flexibility when it comes to colors, finishes and nail art. You can change your manicure whenever you want, and you don’t have to worry about finding the perfect fit for each nail.
The pros:
- Tons of colors and finishes to choose from
- Easy to change whenever you’re ready for a new color
- Great for experimenting
- No sizing required
The cons:
- It takes time to apply and dry
- Smudging is a very real possibility
- Multiple coats can make the process even longer
- Chipping can happen pretty quickly
- You need to have polish remover on hand when it’s time to take it off
Traditional polish can be a great choice if you actually enjoy the process of doing your nails.
Me? I like the finished manicure part a whole lot more than I like the sitting around waiting for it to dry part.
Nail Strips
Nail polish strips are basically the middle ground between traditional polish and press-ons.
Color Street nail polish strips, for example, are made from real nail polish in a mostly dry strip form. You apply the strip directly to your natural nail, smooth it down and file away the excess.
The pros:
- No waiting around for multiple coats of polish to dry
- Less mess than traditional polish
- No glue required
- Lots of colors and designs
- They’re thin and feel like a regular manicure
- Removes with nail polish remover
The cons:
- You may need to practice a couple times before you get the hang of it
- They don’t fit every nail perfectly – there’s 8 sizes but some people may need other sizes
- They aren’t reusable once you’ve applied them
Nail strips are a great option if you want pretty nails without spending a ton of time on them.
Press-Ons
Press-on nails are another popular option, and they’ve come a long way from the nails you might remember from years ago.
Instead of adding polish to your natural nail, press-ons give you the appearance of a finished nail by attaching a shaped artificial nail to your own. Depending on the type you choose, press-ons can be applied with nail glue or adhesive tabs.
The pros:
- Instant length and shape
- Lots of designs and styles
- Can give you a more dramatic manicure
- Great if you want your nails to look longer
The cons:
- You have to find a good fit for each nail
- Application can take some practice
- Glue can be messy
- They can feel thicker than nail polish or nail strips
- Removal needs to be done carefully
Press-ons are a good choice when you want length, shape or a more dramatic finished look without waiting for your natural nails to grow.
So, Which One Is Best?
There’s no universal winner if we’re being real. It really comes down to what matters most to you. And you don’t have to pick just one. Not even at the same time. You can layer Color Street nail polish strips on top of regular nail polish or Color Street press-on nails.
What About Nail Damage?
This is one of the biggest questions I see, and the answer isn’t quite as simple as saying one type of manicure is “good” and another is “bad.”
A lot depends on how you apply and remove it. Picking or peeling off polish, nail strips or press-ons can damage the surface of your natural nails. Aggressive filing or buffing can also cause problems.
Whatever manicure method you choose, take your time with removal and don’t pick at your nails when you’re ready for it to come off.
And if your nails are already damaged, brittle or peeling, focus on caring for your natural nails for a while.
My Pick?
If you couldn’t already tell, I love the nail polish strips. I love that I can get a pretty nails without the dry time or smudges and I don’t have to deal with sizing press-ons.
If you love painting your nails, traditional polish may be perfect for you.
If you love having longer nails, press-ons might be your thing.
And if you want something that’s quick, easy and somewhere between the two, nail strips are definitely worth trying. The best manicure is the one that fits your nails, lifestyle and patience level.
P.S. Some links in this post are affiliate links. See disclosure here.
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