While painting your fingernails and toenails can be fun, it can also be messy. Smudging the paint while waiting for it to dry is a nuisance, and it can be tricky to paint your nondominant hand. Going to a salon or spa can add up quickly. If you are in a pinch, dislike messes and want to have beautiful nails before your next night out, nail polish strips are worth considering.

Nail polish strips are like stickers that you simply peel and place on your nails. They are extremely user-friendly and are available for both fingers and toes. Unlike traditional or gel nail polish, there is no wait time for these to dry. All you have to do is stick the strip to your nail, press it down and then remove any excess material.

Nail polish strips are easy to apply and you can choose whether you wear them for a few days or up to two weeks. Your environment, the condition of your nails, what you do daily and the application will affect how long they last. They are also fairly risk-free because they remove with regular cuticle oil or acetone nail polish remover, so you can switch them up as frequently as you want. Additionally, even the best nail polish strips are extremely affordable. They can range anywhere from $5-$12 for one set. You can also buy a bulk pack with several different sets and colors. Overall, nail polish strips are a great on-the-go option for fun and pretty nails, but there are pros and cons.

Nail polish strips are easy to use and easy to remove. You can change your style several times a week to try out patterns, colors and designs. This would cost you a lot of money in a salon but is easy to experiment with at home.

Most strips come in sizes that match up to each finger or toe. For example, the thumb-sized strip is larger than the ring finger and pinky strips. You may need to file and trim the nail polish strips to best fit your nails. Be careful when you cut them to not cause ripping or bubbling that would make them appear damaged. Nail polish strips can chip and wear, just like regular nail polish would. They can also peel on their own, although most will require an acetone remover to take off which could dry out your nail bed.

Dashing Diva Palm Beach GLOSS Ultra Shine Gel Palette: available at Ulta This palette is full of pretty pinks, peaches and sparkly patterns. With both glitter and jewel options, this set of 27 gives you the flexibility to mix and match or reapply different strips as needed. Note that this set fits fingernails only. It contains one prep-pad to clean your nails and a file for the application.

WOKOTO 20 Sheets Gradient Toe Nail Polish Strips: available at Amazon This set of 20 sheets, which includes 22 strips per sheet (so a total of 440 strips) will surely last you a very long time. It is priced very reasonably. It includes a variety of patterns and shades, from polka dots to flowers to ombre. This set is exclusively for toenails and comes with a nail file. WOKOTO Solid Fingernail Nail Polish Wraps: available at Amazon This set is similar to the above Wokoto strips, however, this one is for your fingernails. The set has 20 sheets of nail polish, each with 14 strips. They come in a range of colors and patterns for any occasion.

Gel Nails Stickers (UV light required): available at Amazon This set requires a UV light for the nail polish strips to properly stick to your fingernails, but if you love gel polish you may love these. Simply prep, trim, place and hold your hands under your UV light for 1-2 minutes. There are two sets included.

Scratch HBD Nail Wraps: available at Ulta If you love fun, floral patterns, these are for you. They apply easily and come with a nail file, buffer and cuticle pusher. Because they are made from real nail polish, they can be removed easily using an acetone-based nail polish remover. Each pack has 16 nail polish strips.

Dashing Diva Sahara Sandstone GLOSS Ultra Shine Gel Color: available at Ulta The Dashing Diva line includes several colors, designs and options. Specifically, the Sahara Sandstone GLOSS shade is a creamy, neutral beige and is ideal for those who want a clean and subtle tone added to their everyday look. This set has 27 strips in various sizes, including slightly larger strips for your thumbs.

Courtney Love is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.

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