12 Best Nail Stickers and Wraps of 2023
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These nail strips give you a perfect DIY mani in minutes — no dry time required.
We updated this article in September 2022 to add more details about each featured product, based on extensive research and highly vetted online reviews, and added helpful tips on the application and removal process.
It's unanimous: doing a DIY manicure is no easy feat. Whether your hand shakes, you get nail polish all over your fingers or can only do one hand well, everyone has some type of struggle when attempting an at-home manicure.
Nail stickers seem to be the answer to all of our DIY prayers, giving a fast and easy way to achieve a salon-caliber look in the comfort of your own home. These strips, also called nail wraps, are different from press-on nails. They're self-adhesive in a wide range of colors and patterns: Simply apply them to clean nails and go, no dry time required. Nail stickers come in both regular polish and gel formulas, so there's an option for everyone. Not only are they time- and money-saving, self-adhesive nail stickers are pretty much foolproof and should last (at least) as long as an in-salon manicure.
Check out the best nail sticker and wrap brands you can buy below for the easiest DIY manicure ever. You can go simple with a neutral solid, bold with a bright hue or embrace the nail art craze with fun printed stickers of all types.
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," says Good Housekeeping Institute Chemist Danusia Wnek. "I found these way easier than painting my own nails."
With 14 sheets and 196 stickers, there is truly something for everyone in Augoog's nail sticker set. Keep it classic with all one neutral shade or mix and match colors or prints for something funky — the options are endless. Plus, they are easy to apply and remove. "Apply them right before bed so you don't touch any water or lotions or anything after you have them on and they can dry and set and seal nicely," one Amazon reviewer suggests.
"I pick up Dashing Diva stickers when I need my nails to look good, fast," says Good Housekeeping Institute Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler. "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. Super affordable with lots of fun colors and designs makes these a standout.
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."
You can now customize your mani with your name, initials or zodiac sign, thanks to these high-end designer nail stickers from Base Coat. Apply a clear polish first to use as an adhesive, wet the sticker and after placing it, seal the nail with a layer (or two) of top coat.
Get all the long-lasting, shiny benefits of gel without having to cure under a UV or LED lamp or soak off to remove. These gel nail strips from Vika Nail — a highly-rated brand on Etsy — include 38 strips so you can do the same design multiple times or a matching mani and pedi. One Etsy reviewer shares that in addition to including a free base coat, "the instructions are easy to follow." She noted that "the nails set very well," and "they look gorgeous, just like a gel mani from a salon."
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.
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, animal prints and more) make for fun fingertips that really 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 shares. "Plus, they last for ages and don't peel off."
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 reports. Thanks to the gel formula, these can last two weeks looking just as perfect as the day you first applied them.
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. "I bought these for my niece for Christmas and she loves them," one Olive & June reviewer says. "Just as cute in-person as they look online."
Inked by Dani brings the art of tattoos to your nails, no needles required. These colorful, 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 Ulta reviewer loves that they are "so much more affordable than getting designs done in a salon!"
All of Nails of LA's nail wraps are luxe, modern and simple, ranging from moons to geometric lines to stripes and more. We love this cool yet elegant design that would look good on any nail length. These are perfect for anyone wanting to dip their toes (or fingers) into nail art but keep it simple.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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 researched all of the top picks included in this story. She 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.
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.
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self-adhesive in a wide range of colors and patterns: Simply apply them to clean nails and go, no dry time required. Our top picks: they work with my nail shape (a better fit than others I've tried), they were easy to file down and really lasted 14 sheets and 196 stickers, there is truly something for everyone in Augoog's nail sticker set I pick up Dashing Diva stickers when I need my nails to look good, fast user-friendly and aesthetically beautiful customize your mani with your name, initials or zodiac sign Get all the long-lasting, shiny benefits of gel without having to cure under a UV or LED lamp or soak off to remove. Many of them come with a clear background so you can use solo or place atop your favorite polish shade they are a cinch to apply 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 inspired by the most popular nail art designs at their salons colorful, cute tiny nail tats are hand drawn and adhere in seconds after soaking in water cool yet elegant design that would look good on any nail length