Color Street nail polish strips have become increasingly popular in recent years as an easy, mess-free alternative to traditional nail polish. With Color Street, you simply apply the pre-designed nail strips to your nails for an instant manicure that can last up to 10 days or more. But just how long can you actually wear Color Street before having to replace them? Here is an in-depth look at the wear time and longevity of Color Street nail strips.
What Are Color Street Nail Strips?
Color Street nail strips are made of real nail polish that has been coated onto a thin, flexible plastic film. The nail strips come in a variety of fun designs and colors, pre-cut to fit each nail perfectly. To apply them, you simply peel off the plastic backing, place them on your nails, and smooth them out. The nail polish adheres to the nail, giving you an instant professional-looking manicure in minutes.
The technology used to make Color Street strips allows the nail polish to flex and move with your nail, rather than cracking or peeling off like traditional polish. This gives them a longer wear time than regular nail polish. The strips also contain a sealant layer that helps lock in the color and provide shine and protection.
How Long Do Color Street Nails Last?
With proper application and care, Color Street nails can last anywhere from 5-10 days, or even 2 weeks. According to the company, the average wear time is 5-7 days. However, there are several factors that can affect wear time:
| Factor | Effect on Wear Time |
|---|---|
| Nail prep | Properly cleaning and buffing the nails before application can extend wear time. |
| Application technique | Ensuring the strips are smoothed down firmly during application helps them adhere better and last longer. |
| Nail oil | Using cuticle oil helps keep nails and skin hydrated, preventing lifting or peeling. |
| Activities | Rough activities like cleaning, gardening, etc. can cause more wear than office work. |
| Nail length | Shorter nails tend to wear polish longer than longer nails. |
| Replacing strips | Replacing individual strips as they wear down extends the manicure. |
As you can see, someone who is gentle on their hands and cares for their nails properly can get up to 14 days of wear from Color Street strips. However, those with active lifestyles may see them last closer to 5 days.
Tips for Making Color Street Nails Last
Here are some tips for getting the longest wear from your Color Street manicure:
- Prep nails by gently buffing and cleaning with alcohol or acetone. This helps strips adhere.
- Make sure nails are oil-free before application.
- Press strips down firmly during application, especially at the edges.
- Apply a top coat like Gel Top Coat after application.
- Avoid using nails as tools to open things, poke at buttons, etc.
- Use cuticle oil daily to hydrate nails and skin.
- Touch up chips by replacing individual strips as needed.
- Protect nails from chemicals in cleaning products by wearing gloves.
Taking measures to care for your manicure and avoiding nails can significantly extend the longevity of Color Street strips. With the right care, 10-14 days of wear is achievable for many women.
How to Remove Color Street Nails
Color Street nails should be removed properly when they begin peeling or lifting off the nails, which generally occurs between 5-10 days. To remove them:
- Soak nails in acetone or nail polish remover for 10-15 minutes.
- Gently roll and slide strips off the nail. Do not pull hard or rip them off.
- Use a cotton pad soaked in remover to clean any remaining adhesive from the nail.
- Swipe nails with remover 2-3 times if needed to remove all traces of color.
- Rinse nails in water and moisturize cuticles with oil.
The polish strips should slide off after soaking. Forcing them off can damage the nails. Be patient during the removal process to ensure all adhesive is dissolved and removed from the nail plate.
Can You Reapply Color Street Strips?
Color Street strips are designed for single use. However, it is possible to reapply them if they are still in good condition once removed. To reapply:
- Make sure the strips are not damaged, peeling, or curling at the edges.
- Gently buff the surface of the strip to refresh it.
- Wipe nails with alcohol to remove oil and residue.
- Apply a thin layer of fresh top coat to the strips.
- Press strips back onto the nails and smooth down.
Reapplying strips can give them 1-3 extra days of wear. However, the adhesive will not be as strong. Reapply with care and replace any strips that appear damaged or heavily worn.
Can You Get Your Color Street Nails Refilled?
No, Color Street nails cannot be filled in the way traditional polish or gel manicures are. The strips are pre-sized for each nail, so there is no way to fill in or repair sections along the edges as they wear down. Once the strips begin peeling or lifting, it’s time to fully replace them. However, you can prolong a set by replacing only the strips on individual nails that are showing obvious wear, rather than your whole manicure.
How Many Wears Can You Get from a Set?
You can typically get 1-2 full wears from a single set of Color Street strips, depending on how well you care for them and how long they last on the first application. With very careful removal and reapplication, some women can get up to 3 wears from a set.
However, it’s recommended to use fresh strips each time for the best results. Reapplied strips won’t last as long or look as perfect as the initial application.
Can You Extend the Wear Time?
There are a few tricks that can help extend the wear time of Color Street strips by a day or two:
- Top coat: Apply a fresh layer of top coat over the strips every 2-3 days.
- Nail prep: Lightly buff nails before reapplying old strips to refresh adhesion.
- Replacement: As soon as a strip starts lifting or peeling, replace it with a fresh one.
- Avoid water: Protect nails from excessive water exposure which can cause lifting at the edges.
- Gentle touch: Try to use fingers gently, avoiding catching or snagging the nail strips.
While these can help add 1-3 days of wear, for the best look it’s still recommended to use fresh sets every 5-7 days or whenever strips start looking worn.
Conclusion
Color Street nail strips allow you to get a salon-quality manicure in minutes that lasts for up to 2 weeks. With proper nail prep, careful application, and some TLC, most women can get between 5-10 days of wear from a set. Reapplication is possible to extend wear a bit longer, but using fresh strips each time gives the best results. Be gentle on your hands and avoid excessive water to get your Color Street manicure to last as long as possible.
