The idea is not new, but it is still good: unlike conventional nail polish, self-adhesive nail foil can be applied quickly and easily – without smearing or chipping. Everything you need to know about the correct application 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 less frequently the nails get a new coat of paint, the more difficult it is to beautify the color. It gets even more complicated when the paint dries slowly and smudges at the slightest touch – or even chips off after a few days. For this reason, the self-adhesive nail foils are enjoying growing popularity. As the name suggests, these are simply glued to the fingernails. And that’s not the only benefit the slides offer.
The pros and cons of nail wrap
As already mentioned, the application of self-adhesive nail foil is much faster and easier than applying nail polish. In addition, the foils are more durable and do not splinter even after prolonged wear. 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 not tested on animals.
The main disadvantage is the price, since nail foil usually costs more than ordinary 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 not always the same, depending on the provider. Therefore, if possible, you should use nail wrap from reputable companies such as set. Then the price-performance ratio is right. In addition, the selection of colors and patterns is enormous. There is something suitable for everyone.
Instructions: How to apply the nail wrap
To apply the nail foil quickly and cleanly, only four steps are necessary:
- Step: The cleaning
To ensure that the foils stick better to the nails, they should be thoroughly cleaned before use. It is best to use a classic nail polish remover to remove all grease and dirt residue from your fingernails. Excess cuticles should then be carefully pushed back so that the film does not stick to it – and thus air or moisture can slide underneath, which would have a negative effect on durability. If your nails are particularly sensitive or have been damaged, for example by gel or acrylic nails, you can apply a caring treatment 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: 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 the little finger to the thumb. If you have very narrow nails, it makes sense to cut the foil before applying it to the backing paper. Because the more often you touch the foil, the worse it sticks to the nails. On the other hand, if you are unsure of the size, it is always safer to choose the smaller version – unless you have gel nails, then the larger version is a better choice. If more than half of the foil protrudes from the nail, you can cut off the part and use it for another finger. To attach the foil, 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 left over on the nail – you must not remove this “leftovers” under any circumstances, otherwise the material will develop unsightly cracks. Instead, the foil is first folded down at the end of the nail and then with a special one always filed vertically (!) downwards. It is important that you always file in one direction and not in different directions – otherwise the edges will look unclean or frayed. - Step: The sealing
Last but not least, the nail foil has to be sealed, which increases its durability – as with ordinary nail polish. It is best to use a transparent one for this (also called top coat) that dries quickly. The rule does not apply here: less is more, quite the opposite. Apply the top coat only thinly so that it does not pull the foil off the nails again. It is best to repeat the process again after a few days so that the film does not crack. And if the nail is visible under the foil, you can carefully file the edge and seal it again with the top coat.
How to remove the nail foil again
If you want to remove the nail foil again, you have to be careful here too. In plain language this means: Do not simply pull the foils off your nails! Instead, you can use ordinary nail polish remover and a cotton swab to peel off the stickers. First, dab the foil with the soaked cotton wool – or place it on the nails so that the remover can penetrate 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 foil on the artificial nails can be easily removed. Alternatively, you can also use nail polish remover cans that contain prefabricated sponges that already contain the agent and can be placed directly on the foil. After removing the stickers, your hands should be cleaned again and treated with a nourishing cream.
Source: Stern
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
