Need some tips for Color Street application?
Have you ever ruined a manicure on your way out of a nail salon? (my “record” was destroying a fresh manicure in the parking lot of the salon, while turning the key in my ignition!) Have you ever felt like your at-home manicure was just not living up to your expectations? Maybe you have heard of Color Street, but you are not sure about the application process? When applied correctly, Color Street can stand up to cooking, camping, baking, gardening, 12 loads of laundry, and a sinkful of dishes – nightly.
If you, like so many others, have switched to a DIY manicure at home, then you probably have found Color Street. If you haven’t tried Color Street yet, it’s time. Real nail polish in easy-to-use strips. Great designs. Lasts 10-14 days. Comes off with regular nail polish remover.
A mani in the car? Sure – as long as you’re not driving. Just keep these Color Street application tips in mind and you can do a manicure almost anywhere. There is no liquid polish to spill, no strong smells to overwhelm those near you, and when used correctly, Color Street can actually be quite forgiving in case there is a little bump in the road.
Here are some Color Street application hacks you need need to know:
Storage:
Color Street application actually begins with a well-stored set. It’s important to store Color Street at moderate room temperature, away from direct heat or sunlight. Stored correctly, Color Street nail strips will last a full year (and often longer!). If you live in a cold climate, or your home is well-air-conditioned, it can help to warm the package of strips gently before your next Color Street application.
You can remove the plastic sleeve from the packaging and place it under (or even between!) your thighs while you prep your nails to bring them back to moderate room temperature. For Color Street application in the heat of summer, you may need to place the entire package in the refrigerator or freezer for 1-3 minutes, again, to bring them to moderate room temperature. For Color Street application to go smoothly, your strips should be flexible but not sticky.
Durability:
For your Color Street application to last the longest, choose a glitter shade. The Color Street glitter options are beautiful, sparkly and also tend to last the longest. Color Street typically lasts 10-14 days; you may find that solids are showing wear on the shorter end of that range.
Another way to extend the wear on your strips is to double up your strips, by applying one layer over the other. If your nails are on the shorter side, you can use one strip to create two layers. After applying one layer, simply turn the strip around and apply the other end of the strip as a second layer. The other option is to use Clear as Day as a top coat. Bonus: Clear as Day comes 32 strips per pack instead of 16!
Chipping/Slipping:
Chipping can sometimes occur if your nails were not completely clean before Color Street application. Before you start, you should always wash your hands, give your nails a gentle scrub, and dry completely. If you find that the nail polish strips seem to slip or slide around on your nails, you may have oily nail beds.
If you do, there is an easy fix: when you wash your hands, use a drop of (grease-fighting!) dish soap, rather than hand soap, then dry thoroughly. Be sure to use the provided prep pad (or a swipe of your own rubbing alcohol). Lastly, allow your nails a good 30 minutes or so to completely cure, after your Color Street application. I recommend doing them right before bed so they cure fully overnight!
“Chunky” Glitters:
The strips that have large glitter chunks can sometimes leave a piece of glitter hanging off the end of the nail. The best way to deal with this is to use a nail clipper to clip the extra glitter.
There you have it- all my best Color Street application tips and tricks. And when you are ready to remove them and put on a new set, then check out my tips for removing Color Street here.
Related Posts:
Are You Making These Color Street Mistakes? Plus Quick Fixes
Applying French Manicure Color Street in 8 Easy Steps
