The idea isn’t new, but it’s still good: unlike conventional nail polish, self-adhesive nail polish can be applied quickly and easily – without smearing or chipping. Everything you need to know about correct use can be found here.
Painting fingernails is an art in itself: What looks child’s play at first glance is anything but easy for many women. Especially when they lack the necessary routine. The rarer the nails get a new coat of paint, the more difficult it is to embellish the color. It gets even more complicated if the paint dries slowly and smears with the slightest touch – or even splinters after a few days. For this reason, the self-adhesive gnawing foils are enjoying increasing popularity. As the name suggests, these are simply glued onto the fingernails. And that’s not the only benefit the slides offer.
The advantages and disadvantages of nail foil
As already mentioned, the use of self-adhesive nail film is much faster and easier than applying nail polish. In addition, the films have a longer shelf life and do not splinter even after being worn for a long time. They fit every nail size and – depending on the manufacturer – can also be used for toenails. There are classic stickers (for example in or ), but also and modern or . Well-known providers such as Miss Sophie even advertise that their ultra-thin nail foils are made of recyclable material and are free from animal testing.
One of the disadvantages is primarily the price, since nail foil usually costs more than normal nail polish in direct comparison. Apart from that, the materials are not produced sustainably by every manufacturer, so that the films end up in the garbage after use and cannot be recycled. And the quality of the products is – depending on the provider – not always the same. Therefore, if possible, you should opt for nail film from reputable companies such as set. Then the price-performance ratio is also right. In addition, the choice of colors and patterns is enormous. There is something for everyone.
Instructions: How to apply the nail foil
To apply the nail film quickly and cleanly, only four steps are necessary:
- Step: the cleaning
In order for the foils to adhere better to the nails, they should be cleaned thoroughly before use. It is best to use a classic nail polish remover with which you can remove all grease and dirt residues from your fingernails. Excess cuticles should then be carefully pushed back so that the film does not stick to it – and air or moisture can slide underneath, which would have a negative effect on durability. If your nails are particularly sensitive or damaged, for example by gel or acrylic nails, you can take care of them before applying the nail foil (in this case cleaning is no longer necessary). This allows you to level out any unevenness and achieve a clean result. - Step: the gluing
Before you peel off the nail foil from your paper, you should choose the right size. The sets always contain different sizes so that you have the right model at hand – from your little finger to your thumb. If you have very narrow nails, it makes perfect sense to cut the film to size before applying it to the backing paper. Because the more you touch the foil, the worse it sticks to the nails. If, on the other hand, you are unsure about the size, it is always safer to choose the smaller version – unless you have gel nails, then the larger version is the better choice. If more than half of the foil is sticking out from the nail, you can cut off the part and use it for another finger. To attach the film, it is first placed in the middle of the fingernail and then pressed evenly from the middle to the sides. - Step: the finishing touches
After the nail foil has been applied, there is usually always something protruding from the nail – you must never pull off these “residues”, otherwise the material will get unsightly cracks. Instead, the film is first folded down at the end of the nail and then with a special one always filed down vertically (!). It is important that you only file in one direction and not in different directions – otherwise the edges will look unclean or frayed. - Step: The seal
Last but not least, the nail foil has to be sealed, which increases its durability – as with normal nail polish. It is best to use a transparent one for this (also called a top coat) that dries quickly. The rule here does not apply: less is more, on the contrary. Apply the top coat only thinly so that it does not pull the film off the nails again. It is best to repeat the process again after a few days so that the film does not crack. And should the nail come out under the foil, you can carefully file the edge off and seal it again with the top coat.
How to remove the nail film again
If you want to remove the nail foil again, you have to proceed carefully here too. In plain language this means: Don’t just pull the foils off your nails! Instead, you can use an ordinary nail polish remover and a cotton pad to peel off the stickers. First dab the foils with the soaked cotton wool – or put them on the nails so that the remover can be absorbed properly. The nail foil can then be easily removed. For gel or acrylic nails, it is important to know that the nail polish remover should not contain acetone. After a short exposure time, the film can be easily removed from the artificial nails. Alternatively, you can also use nail polish remover jars, which contain prefabricated sponges that already contain the agent and can be placed directly on the foils. After removing the stickers, your hands should be cleaned again and treated with a nourishing cream.
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I am a 24-year-old writer and journalist who has been working in the news industry for the past two years. I write primarily about market news, so if you’re looking for insights into what’s going on in the stock market or economic indicators, you’ve come to the right place. I also dabble in writing articles on lifestyle trends and pop culture news.
