Really, it seems like this year is taking forever. Or it’s flying by. I can’t decide which. I feel like I’m in some kind of dystopian novel or huge circus. Things will never be what we thought of as “normal” again but will we be able to have some semblance of the life we had? Who knows.
For the moment, I am grateful that I have been busy with transcription work. It has meant that for the last three weeks I have been typing all day, sometimes up to as late as 10 PM. Fortunately, I work from home which allows me to do that. Unfortunately, that also meant that I was not able to blog as much or even comment on as many other blogs as I usually do. And definitely not able to spend time in the studio, which you know feeds my soul.
I have finished the major portion of one of the projects so I have a brief time to say hello and share some things with you. First off I’m going to tell you about a new nail polish product that my friend, Amy, is selling. You may or may not have heard of Color Street Nail Polish Strips. They come in a package of two strips of eight different sizes.
A few months ago Amy had a virtual party and I bought a couple of colors to try – just to kind of help out a party host. You know how you do that (how many Tupperware items do you have?) I also won a free set for playing one of the games. I love winning prizes! I don’t use nail polish on a regular basis but I do like the way it looks when my nails are longish and they’ve gotten to a decent length so I decided to actually give the nail strips a try.
I chose No Way San Jose for the first go around. I will confess that I did not watch any of the videos that I’m sure are available to show how to apply them. In my mind, they are stickers and being a crafter, I should know how to use stickers, right?
I chose to apply them before I went to bed. I started with my left thumb and took one of the larger nails. It went on pretty smoothly and I used the file they give you to file down the extra bit. The next ones were a little trickier, but I think it was because I was trying to get two nails out of one strip. I should have cut it in half before starting to apply but I didn’t so it ripped off too short. The instructions say to stretch it a little as you put it on and I stretched another one a little too much. Out of the 16 individual strips you get, those three are what I have left.
I did find it easier to stretch the sheet BEFORE I started to apply it. Then it fit better and it wasn’t so awkward. If you get a bubble or it doesn’t quite meet the edge, you do have some time to pull them off and restart but now that I’ve had them on, they are on there well. The instructions say that you can use regular nail polish remover to get them off.
As I told Amy, I don’t think they will make me type any faster but I do like the way they look. They are not perfect but even when I use actual nail polish I don’t get them perfect and there would have been no way they would come out like this if I had polished them right before bed with standard liquid polish. Plus, usually I put on a base coat, then two layers of color and then a top coat over that. These are perfectly dry as you put them on and it is just the one coat. They are shiny and smooth and even with the adjusting, it only took me about half an hour. I’m sure the next time will go much faster. You may also get a tip or two if you watch the videos – LOL
This is the set I won. I love glittery!
The package comes with a nail prep pad and a file. The prep pad was just a tiny square to wipe off your nails before applying the strip but it wasn’t any special formula or adhesive. The file is okay but I used one of my own after all the nail strips were applied. I had chosen the two colors thinking that they would match with the sparkly Tokyo Lights but when I actually got them all, they don’t really so I may have to find another color because I want to use the glitter as an accent nail.
The bottom line is, if you are looking for a quick and easy way to get your nails polished, these may work for you. I am very happy with the way mine turned out. They have some special ones out for the holidays now too. Lots of interesting designs and some gorgeous colors. You can check out Amy’s shop here:
https://www.colorstreet.com/amyabel64
They have some great names for these don’t they? Of course there are solid colors and different glitters. They even have some that look like a French manicure if you like that style.
I will say that some of the designs go fast but it seems like they restock pretty frequently. I’m sure they will be coming out with some Christmas ones. If you get some, I’d love to hear which colors and how they worked for you. Also, you’d be helping to support a small business owner like me and that’s always a good thing. They would make great stocking stuffers, if we are even going to have Christmas this year. Who can tell?
Anyway, nice to see you all again. Hopefully I’ll be around a little more often!
Janet's Smiles 
They are fun, I’ve used a few brands. I can never get the right hand as pretty tho, and then I suffer because I’m right handed and it wears/tears more on that one… lalala! I paint my nails almost always and I love glitter, too! 🙂
I think Dystopian circus is spot on, btw!
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I’m about to try my second set. There was a lot of sticky stuff on the nails when I took the polish off and I wanted to let them breathe a few days. Nice to see you, Joey. Hope all is okay!
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Your nails look so cute! I usually take the time out to paint my nails.. but its never neat or perfect.. but the process is so soothing and nice i dont think i mind the imperfectness any more 😛
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I get that. Self-care!
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After Covid hit, I let my (normally gell-polished) nails grow out and I’m kind-of enjoying their natural state. I don’t think I’ll go back since it messes up the nails, but I do miss having always nice-looking nails. Do these stick-ons mar the surface of the natural nails at all? How long do they last? I really like the Halloween ones (although, this year, no one but my husband would probably see them).
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Hi Janis. This is the first time I’ve used these stick-on polishes and so far I am liking them. The tips are starting to look worn but I do type all day so that is expected. I have not tried taking them off yet, they’ve been on a week now. I even broke a nail and the polish didn’t peel off when I took the broken nail off. I just filed it down and it was fine. I think the Halloween ones look cute too. Now the Thanksgiving ones are coming out too.
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Hi Janet, I am on the “flying by” team. The last six months are a blur. I know your creativity in the studio does feed your soul. I don’t usually do nail polish although I will check out Amy’s site. Maybe for gifts? I sense your creativity even when you were applying these nail strips. Pretty!
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Thanks Erica. I am actually going to have a chance to spend some time in the studio this weekend! So excited. Yes, I was thinking those nail strips would be good stocking stuffers.
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OOOOOOOO I am so happy you finally tried them!!! AWESOME! They look cute!
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Thanks! Seriously not the amount of time that you put into yours but it will work for me.
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Haha! I put way too much time into my nails 😂 I’m glad you like the stickers!
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Come to think of it I haven’t been to a Tupperware party in years. I don’t wear polish on my fingernails but I like the look of yours. The Seriously Spooky ones look like fun.
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LOL I haven’t been to one either but I still have some from ages ago! Not sure if I will buy a lot of them because I don’t wear polish much but the pretty colors are calling me.
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Very pretty!
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Thanks. Kinda more fun than Tupperware too 🙂
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😉
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Hi Janet! Great post! I have a couple of friends that sell Color Street. I’m supposed to have a party sometime (I know I said I’d do one from the last party I attended online). I love the overlays. And I’m pleasantly surprised at how nice the Santa Fe turned out. It gives me hope.
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Hi Mary. I had never heard of them before either. They really have some pretty colors. I have been tempted to get some more.
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It feels like the 743rd day of the year! Make it stop! 😀
Good to see you! Stay safe!
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Right? Thanks, you too.
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Hi, Janet – I completely agree. This year has gone by incredibly slowly, and incredibly quickly all at the same time. Thanks for the catchup. I love the Seriously Spooky nails! 😀
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Don’t they look like fun? There are so many colors. Thanks for stopping by.
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