Color Street nail strips have gained popularity for their ease of use and vibrant designs. But are they the only option? This article compares Color Street with Jamberry lacquer strips, a potential alternative, examining application, wear, removal, and design variety.
The pinky nail features a solid Jamberry lacquer strip, while the other nails showcase ombre glitter Color Street strips.
Jamberry has recently introduced lacquer strips similar to Color Street’s offerings, even down to the packaging and inclusion of an alcohol prep pad. A key difference from Jamberry’s older nail wraps is the elimination of the heat application requirement for these new lacquer strips. This significantly streamlines the process, allowing for a complete manicure in under 30 minutes for both brands.
Application Process: Color Street vs. Jamberry
Both Color Street and Jamberry lacquer strips boast a simple application process:
- Preparation: Peel off the clear top layer and then the backing.
- Placement: Position the strip on the nail, centering it or aligning it with one edge. Both brands offer strips with slight stretch for flexibility in sizing. Avoid overstretching to prevent tearing.
- Smoothing: Use a rubber cuticle pusher to smooth the strip onto the nail surface.
- Trimming: Fold the excess strip over the nail tip and trim it using the cuticle pusher or your fingernail.
- Filing: File the edge from the nail edge downwards to minimize removal of the strip’s tip. Applying strips starting with the pinky finger and moving towards the thumb is recommended for easier application.
Wear and Removal: A Key Difference
While both brands lasted 10-14 days before showing wear at the tips, a significant difference emerged in the removal process. Color Street strips easily came off with nail polish remover, while Jamberry strips required peeling, potentially damaging the natural nail. Soaking Jamberry strips in remover for five minutes might ease removal, but it didn’t eliminate the risk of nail damage in this test.
Design Variety: Exploring the Options
Color Street offers a range of attractive colors and designs, but Jamberry boasts a wider selection, although with fewer glitter options. However, the potential for nail damage with Jamberry and the ease of Color Street removal make Color Street the preferred choice in this comparison.
Addressing Potential Nail Damage with Jamberry
One potential solution for using older Jamberry wraps without damaging nails is applying Color Street’s Clear as Day clear strip underneath. While this approach didn’t make removal as seamless as with Color Street alone, it did reduce nail damage.
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Nail Strip
Ultimately, the best nail strip brand depends on individual preferences. However, this comparison highlights Color Street’s advantages in terms of removal and potential nail health. While Jamberry offers greater design variety, the risk of nail damage and more difficult removal process lean the recommendation towards Color Street.
Color Street’s glow-in-the-dark Halloween nail strips showcasing their luminescence.
