The Best Nail Decorations

Augoog Nail Polish Stickers

This is a Stick-Up

Get the quickest, easiest manicure of your life with these salon-worthy styles.

Best Overall

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We know one of the most frustrating things about painting your own nails is that, almost inevitably, one hand looks much better than the other, depending on your dominant side. That’s why we love these easy-peasy stickers with polish and design all in one. These 14 sheets have a dazzling array of options, with tons of colors and patterns to choose from.  And since these are self-sticking, you won’t have to stress about any glue or harmful adhesive ruining your nails upon removal. On average, these last for about ten days, making them a cost-effective solution that saves you money and time.

Pros:

• Available in eight different packages, each with 14 sheets of options
• The stickers are quite long, so if your nails are on the shorter side, you may be able to get double the use

Con:

• You cannot apply any topcoat, as this will cause the material to wrinkle

mwellewm Glitter Nail Stickers 

Twinkle Twinkle Little Nails

Quickly add some razzle-dazzle to a regular manicure.

Best Glitter Decals

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Glitter is one of our favorite fail-safes for making a plain manicure look just a little fancier. But sparkly polish can be an ordeal to remove, and it may even end up causing damage to your nails. Now you can easily get that hint of glamour at home with these stick-ons. Simply clean your hands, press on the correct size sticker for your nails, and trim the edges. Cover each nail with a coat of sealant, and voila — salon-quality nails. This particular brand also includes ombre designs, which can give your hands an extra wow-factor.

Pros:

• Constructed from environmentally-safe materials
• Cost-effective
• Often lasts just as long as a professional manicure

Con:

• You must make sure your hands don’t get wet for 2 hours after applying, as this may cause the stickers to peel

Kingmas Nail Art Stickers

A Few (Hundred) of Our Favorite Things

With so many options to choose from, your nails will be deccorated for weeks on end.

Best Variety

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Sure, you could sit for hours while someone painstakingly paints teeny tiny images on your nails. Or you could just purchase these stickers from Kingmas and save yourself some precious time. These are a breeze to apply, similar to a temporary tattoo: simply cut out the design you want to use, soak it in water, use the included tweezers to gently lay it on your nail, and press. Once the image has adhered, seal it up with a topcoat, and you’re good to go. With dozens of sheets boasting over 1,000 designs, you’ll never run out of cute options.

Pros:

• Can be applied both over polish or directly onto the nail
• Long-lasting

Con:

• Instructions are not included, but they’re available online

Tough Girls Nail Polish Strips

Just Gellin'

Get the long-lasting effects of a gel manicure without the UV rays.

Best Gel

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Gel manicures have become quite the rage over the past few years, in no small part because the color typically lasts up to twice as long as a normal manicure. But it’s a costly option, and the material and UV lights aren’t exactly healthy for fragile nails. That’s why we love these strips from Tough Girls that give the illusion of gel polish while causing virtually no damage. These gorgeous stickers are made with four sturdy layers and are entirely self-adhesive, which means no harmful glue is necessary. And when you’re ready for a change, just take these off with regular nail polish remover.

Pros:

• Available in 60 different designs and colors
• Strips have both a square and round side to better fit all nail shapes

Con

• May be too thick for some people’s liking

Makartt Nail Art Foil

Foil à Deux

This retro '80s technique is back in action with the updated designs of today.

Best Foil

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A foil manicure is a super quick way to put some of the most intricate designs on your nails without a professional’s help. This method was a popular trend in the ’80s and has recently made quite the comeback. This product is a bit more time consuming than other strips, but still quite an easy process. You’ll need to apply a base coat, press down hard on the foil to secure the design onto the nail, and peel the sheet away. You then apply a topcoat and “cure,” or heat, your nails. We think the results are well worth the few extra steps.

Pros:

• Glue is made from natural resin, an environmentally friendly material
• Easily removed with acetone
• Online tutorials available for more in-depth instructions and advice

Con:

• A heat lamp is not included

Frequently Asked Questions

My stickers came off in a few days. What happened?

This problem may be caused by a few things, one of which is out of your control: the oiliness of your nailbeds. Some people produce more oil than others, which can affect the longevity of your stickers. But there are definitely some things you can be aware of, like how much lotion you use and how often you use it, whether or not you use gloves when washing dishes, and how well you’ve cleaned your nails before adhering the stickers.

Are these going to damage my nails?

If applied correctly, there is little to no risk of anything happening to your nails. Most stickers, strips, and art can be easily removed with acetone and, without a topcoat, some decals may even be peeled off on their own. Be sure to look for materials that may be iffy, such as vinyl or formaldehyde. Most brands are very aware of those toxins and will not include them in their formulas, but it doesn’t hurt to check before purchasing.