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Accomplishing a professional looking DIY manicure from the comfort of your home can be quite a task. Between steadying your hand to avoid getting nail polish onto your skin and determining the perfect dry time between each coat to ensure you end with a smudge-free mani, the entire process can require a bit of time and skill.
Needless to say, if you’re hoping to get flawless nail results without all of the hassle we don’t blame you. That’s why we’ve rounded up a list of the best stick-on nail polish and nail wraps to help you get the perfect manicure every single time. Several of these options work well on long or short nails, are long-lasting and feature tons of bold and colorful nail art. They are also easy to apply, requiring nothing more than placing the sticker onto your nail and filing it to fit your nail shape.
Our top picks:
- Best Overall: Color Street Nail Polish Strips, $13
- Best Value: mwellewm Glitter Gradient Polish Stickers, $13
- Best Nail Art: Le Mini Macaron Mini Nail Stickers, $5
- Best For Small Nail Beds: Nails of LA Nail Wraps, $8
Different from press-on nails, which can give the look of acrylic or gel nails and often require some form of glue, nail stickers (also called nail wraps) enhance your natural nail by attaching with self-adhesive and in most cases do not require additional dry time or sealant. There are some options like semi-cured gel strips that call for the use of an LED lamp to fully cure the design onto your nail, but otherwise these options are known to be mess free, time saving and relatively inexpensive to achieve.
For the easiest DIY manicure ever, check out the best editor vetted and reviewer tested nail sticker and wrap brands currently available.
Pros
- Easy to apply
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Only eight nail sizes
In addition to countless color and print options, Color Street Nail Polish Strips are known for their ease of application and long-lasting capability. "I really like these because they work with my nail shape (a better fit than others I've tried), they were easy to file down and really lasted," GH Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek says. "I found these way easier than painting my own nails."
Pros
- Many color and design options
- Easy to use
Cons
- Does not include colors without glitter
Instead of settling on just one color or design, this set of 14 sheets of nail stickers allows you to take your pick from several ombre and solid glitter polish designs depending on your mood or the day. "I have tried them all but these are far better than anything I have purchased to date," an Amazon reviewer said. "I usually put gloves on when I work in the yard. I forgot to put gloves on yet nothing caused the nail stickers to come undone. I recommend this product."
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Pros
- Adhere to nails easily
- Can use multiple stickers
Cons
- Delicate and require application with tweezers
When you want to spice up a solid color manicure, mini nail stickers are a must. These butterfly decals can be used solo as the star on a single nail or your can group together multiple to create your own maximalist mani. "These are awesome, stay on really well," an Ulta reviewer said. "Gotta use tweezers to apply and they are delicate but once they're on, they ARE ON."
Pros
- Multiple sizes
- Bold colors and patterns
Cons
- Not many reviews
With 20 size options, the chances of finding the perfect fit for your nail beds are very high. These wraps also come in several fun colors and patterns and are a great option to embrace current nail trends. Each kit includes a file and cuticle stick for quick and easy application.
Pros
- Super long-lasting
- Large variety of colors and designs
- Bargain price
Cons
- Some reviewers report colors varying from pictured
Super affordable with lots of fun colors and seasonal designs (see: Fallen Leaves, Nails That I Love and Poppin' Pastels), these Dashing Diva gel nail strips are sure to stand out. "I pick up Dashing Diva stickers when I need my nails to look good, fast," GH Beauty Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler says. "I can go from bare nails to a very cute nail design in about 20 minutes, with no messy liquids or fumes." She also loves the on-trend prints and seasonal designs that are updated frequently, like this fun Halloween one.
Pros
- Variety of designs
- Good value
Cons
- Sheets may require cutting
Fashion-forward nail wraps that stick seamlessly and are a bang for your buck are instant winners. Amazon users love the nail wraps from Qdsuh. "These are so user-friendly and aesthetically beautiful," a reviewer raved. "They stick on my gel nail and don’t slide around when I put [on] top coat."
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Pros
- High shine with salon-quality designs
- Includes 10 nail sizes
Cons
- Requires LED lamp to cure
On the hunt for a high gloss, 3-in-1 nail strips that include a base coat, color and top coat in every strip? Look no further than these offerings from Nailboo. This strip set comes with 20 semi-cured gel strips, two prep pads, a mini file and wooden cuticle stick. "I added a clear coat of gel top coat and the strip hasn’t lifted or chipped at all and I do pretty hard labor every day," a Nailboo reviewer said.
Pros
- Customizable
- Wide design variety
Cons
- Requires a little more work than other stickers
Get the look of a perfect gel manicure without fumbling with gel polish with Ohora gel nail strips. They come in tons of designs and colors and are long-lasting, according to reviewers. "They were easy to put on and lasted for over two weeks," an Amazon reviewer raved. "I have gotten so many compliments and people asking where I got my nails done and I now tell them I do them myself with Ohora."
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Pros
- Easy-to-follow instructions
- Last for over a week
Cons
- Better for short nails
For an ombre look that doesn't require any time spent in a nail salon chair, these easy to apply nail wraps will become your go-to. The set includes set eight different nail strip sizes for each hand and detailed instruction cards to make application a breeze. "Very pretty and lasted more than 10 days," an Etsy reviewer said.
Pros
- Fun prints
- Can be used on top of colored polish
Cons
- Need to use a top coat to make them last
Created by well-known nail artist Nina Park, the boutique brand Scratch offers tons of trendy and fun designs. Many of them come with a clear background so you can use solo or place atop your favorite polish shade. Users love how easy and seamless they are to apply. "I usually go get my nails done but since the pandemic these have really saved my nails and looks like a professional did it," says one Ulta reviewer. Made from five-free polish, these stickers last longer when you add a clear top coat that is not quick dry.
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Pros
- Whimsical designs
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Can be hard to remove
These nail stickers from Ciaté London definitely live up to their "Cheat Sheet" name, as they are a cinch to apply. The cute, kitschy designs (like fruit, florals and animal prints) make for fun fingertips that last and stay shiny. "They work really well on both unpainted and painted nails — just use a top coat and you’re all good to go," one Google reviewer shared. "Plus, they last for ages and don’t peel off."
12
Best Nail Stickers for Beginners
DANNI & TONI Semi Cured Gel Nail Strips
Now 23% Off
Pros
- Good for novices
- No lifting or peeling
Cons
- Not many reviews
Perfect for sticker newbies, these gel nail stickers by Danni & Toni are easy to apply and go on seamlessly. "The adhesives are perfect for those who are not very skilled with traditional nail polishes; they are malleable and come with a strong adhesive, but you can reposition if necessary," an Amazon user reported. Thanks to the gel formula, these can last two weeks looking just as perfect as the day you first applied them.
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Pros
- Easy to stick on
- Variety of uses
Cons
- Won't cover entire nail
Best known for their game-changing at-home manicure tools and amazing selection of polishes, it's no surprise that Olive & June has a great nail sticker collection as well. From flowers to fast food to holiday themes, these tiny stickers (inspired by the most popular nail art designs at their salons) are the perfect addition to any manicure, or (bonus use!) apply them over any chips or smudges to extend the life of your mani. "The stickers look and feel great. They are shiny and easy to peel from the backing and apply with tweezers," one Olive & June reviewer said. "They really pop — my daughter noticed them immediately and complimented them."
Pros
- For use on skin or nails
- Can be applied on top of any polish or gel
Cons
- Won't cover entire nail
Inked by Dani brings the art of tattoos to your nails, no needles required. These cute tiny nail tats are hand drawn and adhere in seconds after soaking in water, the same way you would apply a temporary tattoo onto your skin. They can also be applied onto fingers, arms or any area of skin you choose. One reviewer loves that they are "so much more affordable than getting designs done in a salon!"
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How we choose the best nail stickers
The Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab scientists are constantly testing the newest nail polishes every year, including gel, non-toxic versions and more. While the GH Beauty Lab hasn't yet formally tested nail stickers in our Labs, the products on this list are a mix of Beauty Lab expert picks, along with top-rated products from thoroughly vetted online reviews.
What to look for when shopping for the best nail stickers
First, decide if you want a gel- or polish-based sticker. Gel versions will generally last longer — just as gel does over regular polish — but may be more difficult and take longer to remove. Look for ones that come with extra stickers in case you need a redo (most sets do!) and of course, for colors and patterns of your choosing.
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How do you use and remove nail stickers?
Always follow packaging instructions for the best method of use and removal. "Make sure that your nails are clean and oil-free before laying down the sticker," Wnek says. "Most if not all the brands provide an alcohol pad for this reason."
Wnek shares her general application method:
- Before starting, gauge the size and shape of sticker you will need for each nail. Lay them down on a flat surface in front of its corresponding nail.
- Prep nails by cleaning and wiping with an alcohol wipe to remove oils.
- Follow the directions but remove any films and take your time laying them on the surface of your nail.
- Gently file the excess off with the provided file. It is very easy to take more of the sticker off than your nail and this will make your nail peek out, so really take your time here. "I find it best not to trim nails before application and just use this time to file down nails in case I accidentally file off too much of the sticker," she says.
One thing to note when using nail stickers is that once you start applying them, you have to use them right away. "They dry up once they are exposed to air," explains Wnek.
To remove, use nail polish remover or acetone as you would with regular lacquer.
How long will nail stickers stay on?
This ranges depending on the brand, type of sticker and your lifestyle (i.e how often you wash your hands). But generally speaking, Wnek says they can last one to two weeks before nail regrowth really shows and stickers start wearing away at the tips.
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Do nail stickers damage your nails?
The short answer: no. "I haven’t found these stickers to be damaging to nails," says Wnek. "The ones I have used don't require you to file the nail's surface (like when getting an in-salon gel manicure) before application and they come off easily with acetone." The only annoying thing that can occur is that nails may feel a little tacky after removal (almost like there is Elmer’s glue on them) but you can easily rub it off.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Dori Price has over 15 years of experience researching and writing nail stories, combining her knowledge with the expertise of top industry professionals including nail artists, technicians and dermatologists. She is an expert in all nail product categories, including nail color, nail care, nail treatments, nail art, professional services and more.
GH Staff Writer Cameron Jenkins has written several beauty stories for Good Housekeeping, researching current nail trends and designs, interviewing industry leaders and taking into account consumer needs when selecting top picks for beauty product roundups.
In addition to vetting the product list, Danusia Wnek shared her expertise on how to shop for nail stickers, as well as how to use and remove them and if they will damage your nails. With a background in color cosmetic development, Danusia spends hours in the cosmetic aisles at pharmacies or in makeup retailers researching the newest makeup and nail launches for upcoming studies.
Dori Price
Contributing Beauty Editor
Dori Price is a New York City-based freelance writer and editor and beauty, style and wellness expert who was the Beauty & Fashion Director at Family Circle for 13 years before she joined Good Housekeeping, Prevention and Woman’s Day as a freelance beauty editor. She has also written for WomensHealthMag.com, Elle.com and HealthCentral.com.
Cameron Jenkins
Staff Writer
Cameron (she/her) is a staff writer for Good Housekeeping, where she covers everything from holidays to food. She is a graduate of Syracuse University, where she received a B.A. in magazine journalism. In her spare-time she can be found scrolling TikTok for the latest cleaning hacks and restaurant openings, binge-watching seasons of Project Runway or online shopping.