This was actually my second time ever trying KISS nail strips. My first experience was also very recent when I received a tiny sample insert in my Seventeen magazine. The sample pack came with four assorted nail dress patterns, but I only tried it on one finger and it lasted a few days.
This time I applied them to all ten fingers and I was even considering sticking them to my toes, but since it’s winter I didn’t want to waste them, because it’s clearly not the season for sandals and open-toes here in Michigan.
The first thing I noticed after opening the package is the awful smell of paint or glue, I’m not too sure what to name it but it was strong and chemical. This smell disappeared shortly after I took the strips out of the box, so it was probably just the leftover stench from the factory where they were produced. Either way, aside from this one thing the rest of my experience was very positive.
I carefully read the directions on the package and matched the strips to my nails, then bent them and filed off the excess. The shade I got, or should I say “pattern”, was very cool and totally festive. I wore them to a family dinner and received many compliments, even from my uncle-in-law who normally doesn’t like nail polish at all. Nobody could tell this isn’t real polish, and although I was really tempted to claim the credit I had to explain the concept behind nail strips. Most people seemed genuinely interested, especially my aunts and my mother-in-law. They were intrigued by the idea of wearing cool nail designs that would last them 10 days. And really it’s impossible to tell these are fake unless you have them right in front of your face.
Unfortunately my nails didn’t last 10 days because I had to take them off. I goofed and used too many oil products which ended up getting into the micro creases and that somehow ruined the glue so the nails started to detach and look unnatural. My advice to anyone reading this, DON’T use oil while you’re wearing nail strips. By that I mean actual oil, not products that contain some small oil percentage like lotions or hand creams. Since it’s winter I use a shower oil in the shower, jasmine body oil afterwards and then argan oil for the hair. So yep, that was clearly too much oil for those poor strips and that was totally my own fault.
The verdict: Aside from the awful chemical stench, these strips are a fun way to accessorize your look. Each pattern is gorgeous, they all look very unique and make you stand out.
You can read more reviews about this product on Influenster website.
Disclosure: I qualified to receive these complimentary products for being a part of the Influenster program. Individual results or experiences may vary. You may obtain more detailed information from the company’s website. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Those are pretty! I haven’t tried mine yet. Maybe this week finally 🙂
I hope you like them! 🙂
Hi Anastacia!
(Obiviously) I’m reading your old post. I want to start using strips but I have no idea of how to remove them. Are you saying that just dabbing some straight-up oil will take these off? I wrote you before about my nail polish remover concerns.
I’d LOVE to wear these. I do so much with my hands daily, regular nail polish would wear off so fast!
Hi again, Terrah! 🙂
If you do a lot of housework, KISS strips probably won’t be a good fit for you, because they would start peeling off at the corners and dragging on your clothes and hair (which is annoying). I recommend you try Incoco Nail Polish Applique, they lasted me full 14 days when I went on vacation to Florida, and we sure did a lot of stuff there. Regular polish would never have lasted that long, but as you can see in my “after” picture, my nails (and cuticles) grew out to the point of looking totally gross, yet the strips stayed intact.
Here’s the link to the old post where you can read more about them: http://glamorable.blogspot.com/2013/02/mani-monday-incoco-nail-polish-applique.html
Oh I forgot to add, since those are made with real nail polish (unlike KISS) you can remove them with your normal remover.