I tried the cheese

I remember using scented nail polish as a kid at sleepovers — but none of them ever smelled like cheese.

When I first heard about the Nails Inc. x Velveeta cheese-scented nail polishes, I was instantly brought back to the bubblegum and fruit-scented polishes that lingered on my nails when I was young. It had been a long time since I tried it, but I was willing to give the concept another try as an adult.

The polishes are sold as a duo for $15 on the Nails Inc. website, where the brand says they'll "make your nails look as smooth as Velveeta feels." The stickers are sold separately for $4.99.

Collaborations between beauty companies and food brands have been abundant in recent years. E.l.f. has worked with Chipotle twice, according to Forbes, and is currently selling makeup from its Dunkin' Donuts line. Mashed reports that other beauty brands like Glamlite Cosmetics, ColourPop, and Sally Hansen have all released food-inspired products. I was curious to see how the Nails Inc. x Velveeta collaboration stood out among the rest.

The Velveeta-themed packaging was the first thing to catch my eye when I received the nail polishes in the mail. It's playful without going overboard.

I started with the base coat I had on hand, China Glaze Strong Adhesion Base Coat. The instructions on the box said to apply one layer of a Nails Inc. base coat first, but I think any good base coat would suffice.

I started with the yellow polish, aptly named "La Dolce Velveeta."

When I opened "La Dolce Velveeta" for the first time, I was reassured by the wide brush and short handle because I knew I would have good control. I covered my whole nail in two strokes with the broad bristles.

I decided I didn't need to go all-in on yellow for my whole hand, so I painted one coat of yellow on three of my nails. The other two I filled in with the reddish-pink color called "Finger Food."

I examined my nails after the first pass; I was impressed by the intensity. Although the yellow looked slightly streaky with just one coat, it already provided more coverage than similar shades I've used in the past.

I waited 10 minutes for the first layer to dry before adding the next layer. After applying the second coat, I was struck by how shiny my nails looked without a top coat. I couldn't stop looking at them in the light.

It was time to give them a whiff. I expected them to evoke the same saltiness or tanginess you get when you smell cheese, but I really just hoped my fingers didn't stink.

According to the Nails Inc. website, the Velveeta nail polishes are 100 percent vegan. Without adding dairy and other ingredients that make Velveeta so distinct, I was curious how Nails Inc. was going to capture that aroma in their polishes.

They didn't smell anything like Velveeta to me, but I noticed a faint sweet smell that at first reminded me of Twizzlers. As the polish continued to dry, the mild aroma was overwhelmed by the traditional, chemical scent of nail polish.

I was actually relieved that the polishes smelled normal because I'm more likely to use them again in the future. I don't want to feel like I'm eating nachos at the movies every time I wash my face.

Before applying a top coat, I attempted to do my own nail art with the Nails Inc. x Velveeta stickers. I'll admit I'm no pro, so I tried my best. I placed one sticker on every nail and reserved the "gold drips" for my thumb. I finished my manicure by adding a layer of China Glaze Fast Forward Top Coat.

I do have a lack of experience with nail stickers, but I can't say I liked them. After a few hours, I noticed the stickers beginning to lift, which I attributed to user error. Even if they had stayed on, the stickers just aren't my style.

The real winners for me were the polishes. The colors are perfect for spring and summer, so they've got a permanent place in my nail drawer — the Velveeta can stay in the fridge.

Insider paid for the Nails Inc. x Velveeta nail polishes and nail stickers, per the company's reporting standards.