Getting Started with Nail Strips
To get started with nail strips, choose gel strips (up to 14 days of wear, cured for 60 seconds under a UV or LED lamp) or polish strips (no lamp, around a week of wear), then prep clean, dry, oil-free nails before you apply. Good prep and the right size do more than anything else to make your manicure last.
Gel or polish strips?
| Gel nail strips | Nail polish strips | |
|---|---|---|
| Lamp | Yes, 60 seconds under a UV or LED lamp | No lamp, no drying time |
| Wear | Up to 14 days on fingernails | Around a week |
| Removal | Cuticle oil and a wooden stick, no acetone | Ordinary nail polish remover |
| Price | £11.99 a set at full price | From £5 |
Still deciding? Our two ways to mani and pedi compares them side by side.
Your kit checklist
For gel strips
- A set of gel nail strips, which comes with 20 strips in mixed sizes, a nail file and a manicure stick
- A UV or LED lamp, such as our mini UV/LED lamp
- Alcohol wipes or nail cleanser
- Cuticle oil for aftercare and removal
For polish strips
- A set of nail polish strips
- Alcohol wipes and a nail file
- Nail polish remover for when you want them off
The easy option
A starter kit gives you two sets of your choice, a cuticle oil pen and the mini UV/LED lamp in one go.
Five-minute nail prep
- Clean. Wash and dry your hands thoroughly. Skip hand cream beforehand.
- Shape. File your nails to the shape you like and smooth the corners.
- Cuticles. Push them back gently. Don't cut living skin.
- Buff (optional). Very lightly, just to soften any ridges.
- Wipe. Go over each nail with alcohol to remove oil and dust.
Cool, dry hands and a clean surface help strips stick properly.
Sizing and fit
- Before peeling, hold strips over each nail to check the width.
- Choose a size slightly narrower than your nail, leaving a tiny gap at the sides.
- Place it just short of the cuticle line for a natural look and fewer lifts.
Don't stretch to fit. Stretched strips pull back and lift at the edges. Our nail sizing guide has the full method.
Setting up and timing
- Work in good light at a clean table, with your wipes, file and strips within reach.
- Gel strips take about ten minutes to apply, then 60 seconds under the lamp. Cure thumbs separately.
- Very dark or glittery gel shades may need an extra 15 to 30 seconds.
- For the rest of the day, avoid long hot baths and saunas so everything settles.
Next steps
- How to apply gel nail strips
- How to apply polish nail strips
- How to remove gel nail strips
- Gel nail strip questions answered
- All guides
Common questions
Should I pick gel or polish strips?
Gel strips are real semi-cured gel, give up to 14 days of wear and need a lamp. Polish strips need no lamp and are great for quick changes, with around a week of wear.
Do I need a base coat?
Usually not. Strips go straight onto clean, bare nails, and a base coat can stop them sticking as well.
Will taking them off damage my nails?
Gentle removal is the way to look after your nails. Gel strips come off with cuticle oil and a wooden stick, never peeled off dry. Polish strips come off with ordinary nail polish remover.