ManiMe Stick-On Gels Review: An Easy DIY Alternative to Your Regular Gel Manicure

While I love the look of a fresh gel manicure, it can be an expensive and time-consuming beauty habit. I also find that wearing gel polish all the time damages my nail bed, leading to peeling, flaking and breaking. It’s not ideal.

While regular polishing seems like the obvious alternative, you run the risk of creating spots or stains. Also, my painting skills are limited at best, so cute designs and modern art are out of the question.

ManiMe, however, presents a seriously tempting alternative solution: a sticker that requires no skill and promises the effect of a professional gel manicure. With countless designs and options to suit all nail shapes, it seems (almost) too good to be true. So of course I had to test it. Read on for my review.

ManiMe Stick-On gels

People / Emily Algar

Buy on Amazon Buy on Manime.co

What’s included: One set of ManiMe gel nail stickers contains 18 stickers (which means you have room for error), a file, a wooden cuticle stick and a prep wipe (this is an alcohol-soaked wipe to remove all oils from the nail bed, ensuring the adhesive can be properly glued). The kits are universal for everyone, but you can pay extra for a custom set if you want (for this you’ll need to take 5 photos of your fingers — right four fingers, right thumb, left four fingers, left thumb and eye-level view compared to your phone so that ManiMe can then use 3D technology to detect the size, shape and curvature of your nails). The brand laser-cuts the decals to fit your nail as precisely as possible, but this feature is only available when the sets are purchased through ManiMe’s website, not Amazon. Most designs are also available as a pedicure shape.

Designs: There are currently 109 manicure products on ManiMe’s website, from patterned stickers and solid color stickers to press-on nails. Many designs are submitted by artists, like @disseynails, so there’s always something new or trendy to try.

People / Emily Algar

As we tested

I’m a fan of gel manicures, but I recently decided to give my fingers a break after six months of non-stop shellac. While I’m fine with my bare nails, I’ve had a steady stream of events coming up (wedding season is really here), so it was time for ManiMe to shine.

What struck me at first was how many designs there are to choose from – you can choose a solid neutral shade, a classic French top or something more artistic. The ManiMe website also has a lot of information about each design, such as opacity and finish.

I decided on the Standard Adhesive Gels in a gold polka dot pattern called “Golden Disco” (the sticker has a white background with a series of gold spots, which was subtle but still fun). You get 18 per set, so there’s enough to ensure all fingers are covered. To start, I shaped my nails (highly recommended for a more even finish) before cleaning with the included prep wipe. You can also apply a thin layer of Bonding Base polish to strengthen your nails and extend their life.

From this point, it’s as simple as applying the sticker and smoothing it onto the nail. I found this easy enough, as all the bubbles seemed to iron out with a little finger pressure. Then you fold the excess over the top of the nail and gently file it out. This is the hardest step – if you file too hard, you risk tearing or ripping the sticker, but if you don’t remove the overhang, it looks messy. With a little practice, I got the hang of it and finished the look with a coat of clear coat as instructed (you can use ManiMe top coat or your own). It’s that simple!

The best press-on nails from New York Fashion Week and our own testing

People / Emily Algar

the results

After wearing it for six days, I definitely decided on ManiMe Stick-On gels. I think they are innovative and easy to use, and the finish is impressive, especially if you take the time to apply them carefully and then lock them in with a top coat.

In terms of longevity, I started to notice a lift at this point, but I still think they last longer than standard polishes. You can also re-glue them with a drop of nail glue. Overall, I got about two to three more days of wear (the company says you’ll get up to 10 days of wear, so this is on par). To remove the stickers, you can simply peel them off, but if they persist, the brand suggests soaking your nails in warm water or using a little lotion around the edges of the sticker. You can also add a drop of ManiMe Take It Off nail cleaner and use a wooden cuticle stick to gently push them away.

What are they good for?

ManiMe Stick-On Gels are perfect for anyone who is short on time, wants to save money on professional nail appointments, and/or wants a cute manicure without the associated damage. I also think they’d be great for travel – no tools required, basically weightless, and removal is as easy as peeling.

Advantages:

• A large selection of designs and solid shades
• They can fit your finger — custom decals are 3D modeled for a comfortable fit
• You can turn them depending on the shape of the nail (is it square or more rounded)
• 10-free (this includes formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate, toluene, camphor, formaldehyde resin, xylene, fragrances, parabens, ethyl tosylamide and phthalates)
• No heat or acetone required
• Easy to apply and remove
• The cost is significantly lower than a professional meeting
• No drying time
• It comes with detailed instructions and a QR code for visual learners

What they are not good for

The only thing I would point out here is that they don’t last as long as a classic shellac salon mani. But they also take half the time and cost far less, so the trade-off is worth it.

Against:

• It can be difficult to file off the excess sticker on the first go
• It is not as long-lasting as a professional gel manicure

People / Emily Algar

Things to consider before purchasing ManiMe Stick-On Gel Stickers

If you’re thinking about trying self-adhesive gel nail stickers, here are a few reasons:

• Your natural nail length: ManiMe stickers are best applied to natural nails, so consider growing them a week or two before application if you want a longer nail base.
• Your aesthetic preferences: Fortunately, ManiMe offers a variety of designs available, from classic monochromes to cute designs, so you’re sure to find something you like.
• How much you use your hands: If your hands are constantly in the water or you do a lot of manual labor, you’ll probably notice that the stickers lift faster.

My mom, grandma and I all swear by Mario’s new satin lipstick

Other nail gels to consider

Scratch Nail Wraps: These wraps are made using standard nail polish on a thin, sticky sticker – all they need is a top layer to set up, similar to ManiMe stickers. There are eight sizes per pack and a total of 16 wraps.

Dashing Diva Gloss Ultra Shine Gel Palette: At only $8 each, these stick-on gels are a great value. Each set comes with several different designs for a custom mani, and the finish claims to last 14 days.

Nail Wrap Co Gel Wraps: From hearts to marbles to clear cherry blossoms, these stickers offer an easy way to achieve a special nail design. You will get 16 wraps in each package.

Are ManiMe Stick-On gel nails worth it?

In a word, yes! They do exactly what they promise, offering a salon-free alternative that looks great and takes no more than 10 minutes to apply. Longevity is also really impressive, considering the price. And as for removing stickers, being able to just soak them in warm water and peel them off is a great reprieve from smelly, harsh nail polish remover.

While I don’t think it will completely replace my salon ritual, I like knowing I have the option.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education