Color Street Nails, An Honest Review From A Non-Seller
Nail polish strips aren’t really a fresh idea but Color Street nails are one of the most popular forms to appear on the market. People are raving about these stylish, 100% nail polish strips so I thought I’d share my honest Color Street review as a non-seller.
*This post is kept up to date and was last updated in 2022.
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Color Street Nails, An Honest Review From A Non-Seller
I love having my nails done, I always have. It just makes me feel more put together. The problem I have had is that I am always running and so the dry-time for my nails drives me crazy.
I usually touch something too soon and smudge my freshly painted nails and have to redo one or two…every time. Patience is not my thing.
The effort that goes into painting my nails, only to have my polish chipping off with in a day or two is also aggravating. I am constantly using my hands, and have them in water a lot, and the polish just doesn’t hold up.
My sister-in-law started to have really cute nails all the time. So, I finally asked her about them. She said they were Color Street nails. I had never heard of Color Street.
I had tried another brand of nail strips that I really liked when they were on, but the application was such a pain and took me too long. I hardly ever took the time to put them on, which defeated the purpose.
My sister-in-law told me Color Street nails are much easier and didn’t require the heat and tweezer dance that the other popular brand required. Just like the other type, Color Street nails still lasted longer than polish.
I decided to give them a try. Now, that I know the ends and outs of Color Street nail strips I’m going to share my honest thoughts about the product. You’ll get the pros and the cons in this Color Street nails review.
I haven’t been paid or given free products in return for this post. I honestly love Color Street. Since I am so happy with my Color Street nails I wanted to share them with you! I am grateful to my SIL for sharing them with me and I wanted to pass that along to you.
What Are Color Street Nails?
Color Street nails are 100% real nail polish strips. It’s mess free nail polish that lasts on average, 10 days.
No dry time means you can put them on and go. There are tons of styles to please everyone. Basically, you get a professional manicure and/or pedicure from the comfort of your own home, for less than salon prices.
The Color Street Company
Color Street’s birth place is NYC in 1984. Their creator, Fa Park, saw a woman struggling to polish her nails in a New York City cab. He thought that there has to be an easier way.
Upon discovering there wasn’t, he decided to make a better way. He experimented with lots of different techniques of putting polish on surfaces until he found his formula.
The Color Street nail strips are made with 100% real nail polish. They are not vinyl like other old school brands. This means they can be removed with nail polish remover. When done properly (with remover and they aren’t just pulled off) Color Street does not damage the nail like acrylics do.
Fa started his company trying to make direct sales. He eventually realized to get them to the public the way he wanted he was going to have to go to the “party sale” platform. Yep, It’s an MLM. More on that in a bit.
One of the companies goals is to celebrate entrepreneurs. Those that decide to sell the nails are called Stylist. The nails are also manufactured in the USA.
Color Street Foundation
I really could talk about the Color Street Foundation in the pros section of this post but it deserves some real attention. Color Street Foundation supports multiple worthy organizations like the Gary Sinise Foundation, The Autism Society of America, The Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer, and The Breast Cancer Research Center.
Since its inception in July of 2018, The Color Street Foundation has donated over $310,000 with a pledge of $1 million in future donations. Knowing that Color Street is a company that gives back makes me want to support them even more.
Color Street Sets
Here’s a look at what you get in each Color Street set.
- Each set has 16 double-edge strips (there is only one strip in the above photo because my SIL had already used the other strip).
- Each set comes with a mini file and prep pads.
- The prices range from $11-$15. They can be applied to fingernails and toenails.
- There are a wide range of solid colors, glitters, French tip, art designs, sports themed, seasonal and holiday styles.
- They do have pedicure sets now but the selection is extremely limited.
How to Apply Color Street Nails
I want to give you just a brief description of application process for Color Street nails so you know a bit about how they work. Then, I’ll get to the pros and cons.
There is a slight learning curve when applying nail strips for the first time but I promise you’ll get the hang of it.
- Clean and prep nails before application. File nails and push cuticles back. Color Street makes this step easy by including alcohol wipes and a mini file in each Color Street set you order.
- Once nails are prepped you’ll need to size your nail strips to fit your nails. Finding the correct size for each nail is important for a better, lasting look.
- Once you know which strip is going on your nail you will remove the plastic covering the strip.
- Start with your pinky and move your way across your hand, finishing with the thumb.
- The strips are sticky and slightly stretchy. Stick the nail polish strip onto your nail as close to your cuticle as possible and then smooth the polish onto your nail, working your way up and out.
- Crease the strip over the edge of your nail, then use your thumb or file to remove the excess nail.
7. If you have enough left over then you’ll use the rest of the strip on the same nail but on the opposite hand.
These are just the basic steps for application. If you want a more detailed explanation then check out Color Streets instruction page. There are plenty of tips and tricks for applying Color Street to your nails. My Color Street stylist shares things like that on her Color Street Facebook page if you want to check it out.
How Long Do Color Street Nails Really Last?
Color Street nails are made to last and they really do shine in that department. The Color Street website says they will last 10 days depending on your lifestyle. I find this to be mostly true.
I do mention this in the cons section below but, the glitters last way longer than the other nail strips. The glitter strips are a bit thicker so they are tough and hold up the longest.
Also, the way you make the nail strips last longer is by filing down the edges of your nails where the nail strips have started to wear. It’s easy to do and it works but it’s an extra little step.
Want your Color Street nails to last? Check out our tips page for getting the best, long lasting application and keep nails healthy while using nail strips.
My Experience With Color Street Nails
Now I’ll tell you about my experience with the nails. I honestly love them. They make me feel more put together and professional without the much higher cost of having gels or acrylics put on.
Now, I don’t believe any product is perfect so I’ll do a breakdown of both the good and bad. I’ll start with my least favorite parts:
Color Street Cons
- While the Color Street website says their nails can last for up to 10 days I have noticed a big difference in the lasting time depending on the type of polish. For me, I can get away with wearing the glitter nails way longer than the solids. You just notice imperfections more with a solid nail.
As I mentioned above, the way to make the Color Street nails last is by buffing the nail edges as they wear. I will usually buff that down a little and they look pretty good. It’s a tiny bit of extra work.
2. The first couple applications are tricky, so you won’t be saving time just yet. Once you have done it a few times, you do get faster.
3. While you do just remove Color Street with nail polish remover, I have found cheap removers don’t get the job done (especially with the glitter nails which are the hardest to remove).
A lot of women buy professional strength nail polish remover from a beauty supply store. If you want to go the drug store route, I have found this remover by Cutex called Ultra-Powerful. It works if you really soak the cotton pad.
My SIL uses Onyx Professional to take off her Color Street Nails. Both are great options and neither are very expensive.
If you’re having problems with brittle nails after using Color Street it could actually be a problem with the acetone remover. We’ve had a couple of readers mention they switched to a mineral nail polish remover and the brittle nails went away. Try Mineral Fusion Nail Polish remover if you have this problem.
One of readers recently mentioned the use of nail clips to help in the removal process, especially with those pretty but pesky glitter nails. If you only wear nail strips occasionally then you probably won’t need them but if you wear them regularly then they could be very helpful.
4. Here is the one thing I am in the middle about: the price. The nails typically run between $11-$14 depending on the style. While using Color Street is much cheaper than going to a salon for nails and fills, it’s still more expensive than a bottle of polish, that will, of course, cover your nails for longer. For me, the price is worth it for really stinking cute, professional looking nails…but will it be worth it for you?
There are a couple of hacks that can help with the pricing that I’ll talk about a little later. As mentioned above you can save more money when taking advantage of Color Street deals.
5. I should also note that there are a ton more nail polish strips on the market these days. Most are cheaper than Color Street. Some people prefer Color Street. Others don’t.
Lily and Fox are only $2.99. Nails Mailed strips range from $1.99-$6.99. Both have free shipping.
Dashing Diva are nail strips you can buy in stores like Target, Walmart, & Ulta. They are also sold online.
You can check out our review posts for Lily & Fox, Dashing Diva, Dashing Diva Gels, and Nails Mailed and see what we think.
6. The nail strips will dry out once they’ve been opened. There are tricks you can use to close them back up to keep them fresh but that can be a pain. Check the readers tips section of this post for some of the helpful tips our awesome readers have given for this particular problem.
7. Some people have a problem with their nails becoming brittle and cracked from using Color Street. Others have said using Color Street made it possible to grow their nails out for the first time in years because with out the nail strips their nails would break easily.
I can’t speak to other people’s experiences. I haven’t had any problems with nail breakage from using Color Street but I wanted to at least address it because it’s such a big discussion with these nail strips.
I think this is just one of those things you’ll have to try for yourself to see how your nails handle them. Remember that acrylic and gels can also damage nails so I’m not surprised that some people have trouble with Color Street too.
Make sure to give nails a little breather in between sets and consider getting a good cuticle oil to strengthen nails.
8. Color Street is a MLM, multilevel marketing company. This means they use Stylist to sell their nail strips. It does give a lot of stay at home moms a chance to make some money but a lot of people don’t love the way MLMs work for the people at the bottom of the pyramid.
Not all MLMs are created equal and I have found that a good amount of women selling Color Street do enjoy it. Sometimes it’s nice to be able to buy a product you love and know it’s helping a friend make some extra money.
Here’s a little about how Color Street stylist make money. Once you know this you can decide for yourself if Color Street is a company you want to support.
Color Street are a higher price than most other nail strips on the market because their Stylist make a commission of 25% off every set they sell. The extra cost cover that commission plus the higher ups need to get paid too.
Color Street also uses bonuses as incentive to get Stylists to sell more sets. Some of these bonuses include:
- a jump start bonus – sell a certain amount when you first start, get a bonus
- enroller jump start bonus – enroll someone who hits their jump start bonus, get a bonus
- Leadership level bonus – 3% commission from the sells of your recruits
- Leadership depth bonus – Did your recruits recuit? 1.5% bonus of their sells for you!
- Team bonuses – 1.5% bonus from your team sales
There are more bonuses but that gives you a good view of how the company runs. Some people can’t shake the ick factor of MLM companies. Some can. It’s up to you to decide.
That might seem like a lot of cons but some of them are such small details that most people don’t even blink at them. But, in a review post I think it’s good to cover everything so there are no surprises. Even the tiniest of ones.
Color Street Pros
There’s a ton of good that comes from using Color Street nail stickers. I really do love them.
- Color street nails are BEAUTIFUL! They have lots of styles and colors to choose from. My favorites are the glitter and design nails. While I could do a decent job painting plain nails using polish, I flat out sucked at trying to do things like Ombre, or designs.
Color Street takes care of that problem for me. They even have different designs for all major holidays. I had two different Christmas sets I wore during December that were fun and festive. I got loads of compliments.
2. They do last way longer than polish for me. I am not a person who has the time or patience for a base coat, regular coat, and top coat of polish. I am a one-coat girl.
This meant the polish really only looked good for about 2 days. I reminded myself of this the hard way.
My sister-in-law, who I used to get Color Street from, went on vacation and I forgot to get a new set of nails before she left. I had a work retreat that came up during the time she was gone so I had to use polish. It didn’t even last for the weekend retreat and looked a hot mess by the last day.
3. There is no drying time. After getting the application process down, you can get a pair of nails on pretty fast. Once they are on, that’s it…no waiting time. You can immediately make dinner, do your hair, even take a shower and your nails are good to go. No smudges or streaks because you didn’t wait long enough for them to dry.
4. I have shorter nails so I can usually get two complete sets from one package of Color Street. My nails are short enough that I can use both sides of one nail strip, so the second set of strips can be saved for another whole manicure.
This actually brings the price down. If you can’t get a second manicure out of the strips you can get a pedicure out of them. That means your really getting a matching mani and pedi for $11- $14.
5. Speaking of a pedicure, Color Street lasts FOREVER on your toes. Normally toes take less abuse than your hands so they don’t wear as fast. If you use a glitter set on your toes, they look fabulous, but also they can usually last more than a month!
Remember this when summer roles around. Cute, shimmery toes in sandals that you don’t have to worry about for a whole month.
6. Color Street does have wider nail strips compared to other nail trip companies. If you’ve tried another brand and found the strips to be too skinny for your nails then Color Street is a good bet for you.
7. I know I’ve mentioned this but I do consider it a pro. Each set comes with alcohol wipes and a file so you can prep your nails properly. We don’t realize how much residue our soaps and lotions leave on our nails. The alcohol wipes take all that off so you get a great application and those nails really stick. I love that Color Street thinks of this. They really want you to get the best application.
Some Color Street Tips From Our Readers
- Connie says: A tip that helps me to remove my CS nails, especially for glitters, is to saturate a cotton ball in polish remover and place it on the nail and use aluminum foil strips over the cotton ball to keep it in place. Leave for about 10 minutes and twist the foil with the cotton ball inside and nearly all of the CS nail strip will remove easily. I use a fresh cotton ball with polish remover to clean up the remaining polish. So much easier.
- Kim says: I started using a nail strengthener base coat before applying color street and it has helped a lot. (talking about brittles nails)
- Robbielynn says: I ONLY shop the deals! I stock up at that time. Buy 3 get 1. Check your local craft fairs and farmer markets.. I have gotten them as low as $4 a set again I stock up.. I had a colorstreet FB party we left it open for about a month.. I scored 23 free sets of nails!! Also 2 ladies booked from my party I got 2 sets free from each of those. Try those overlays with a solid nail polish. No stylist wants to be stuck with inventory… the few I know always throw in one from their stash if you buy 3 get 1 so I get 5 sets for 3. Also join their mega sale parties.. get to know MANY stylists….
- Sierra says: Use Soy Polish Remover by Sundays or Karma Organic Natural Nail Polish Remover to remove nail strips. I’ve been using these for a long time now and they work just as good and do not damage your nails. Also don’t peel the strips off. This does damage your nails. Hope this helps!
- Monica says: I’ve been using CS for over a year now and just throw my leftovers in a ziplock in the freezer. I’ve gotten several “mixed manis” just using leftovers.
- Jessie says: I fold the top of the bag over and tape it completely. Then when I use the left overs, if they are a bit dry I hit them with a hair dryer and that softens them up.
- Karen says: I just wanted to mention that the problem with splitting and peeling nails could be caused by the “filing” of the extra length of the strip off. When we file the nails down from the top of the nail, it actually separates the layers of the nails themselves. Think sanding a piece of wood against the grain. If you seam the edges against the nail with your finger to sort of score them and then pull the excess off in a downward motion you don’t have to file the edges much if at all. I hope that explanation is clear and helpful to someone.
Color Street Promotions and Discounts
Color Street has some great deals. French manicures are buy 1 get 1 free and everything else is buy 3 get 1 free. This really drops the price of the nails when you take advantage. Shipping is $3 for your entire order.
You can also get some good deals through a Color Street Stylist. They usually carry a good selection of Color Street sets and at times run their own personal promotions.
Most people can also get more than one manicure, or a mani & pedi, from one set of Color Street nails. Like I said, Color Street has come out with pedicure sets but I haven’t tried those yet because the selection is so small. I just use the regular sets and get a manicure and pedicure out of them. It takes a little bit more work but it saves money.
When compared to other nails strips like, Nails Mailed or Lily & Fox, using one set for multiple applications doesn’t save you any money because you can do the same thing with the other sets. However, if you are comparing Color Street nails to salon prices then doubling up on the set makes prices much lower.
Is Color Street Really Worth It?
The ultimate question is are Color Street nails good? Would I recommend them to a friend? My answer is, absolutely!
Getting a fun manicure and pedicure, in the comfort of my own home for around $13, that lasts around 10 days, is great. Is everyone going to become an addict like me? Maybe not.
If you don’t get your nails done professionally or if you use nail polish regularly then the price might not be right for you. However, if you’re a “get your nails done” person then I think you really should consider giving Color Street a try.
Who Should Try Color Street?
- If you like to have pretty nails in fun designs on a regular basis then you’ll love them.
- Maybe you don’t want to spend money for cute nails everyday but they are also great for special things like holidays, work events, or even a hot date.
- Mommy daughter nails are really fun too. Because little girls nails are smaller you can usually get their nails done with the leftovers from your set.
- Color Street would be ideal for vacation because the nails would last the entire trip. You wouldn’t have to worrying about bringing polish with you or buying some on vacation when your nails chip and crack.
- Color Street even makes a fun gift for a family member or friend. Think thank you gifts, bridesmaid presents, stocking stuffers or teacher appreciation gifts. There are lots of things that make Color Street a great product to try.
Final Thoughts on Color Street
I personally love Color Street nails. To me they are worth the price. When I was using regular polish, my nails were rarely done because it was such a pain for only 2 days of good looking polish. Now, it’s VERY RARE that I don’t have my nails done.
I write in front of clients a lot, so they are constantly looking at my hands. I like that my hands always look nice and put together now. I love having the designs I could never do myself on my nails. I like the fact that I can put the nails on and just go. No waiting for them to dry…and then smudging them because I didn’t quite wait long enough.
My stylist is a great friend of mine. If you would like to try Color Street out for yourself you can buy them at her website mycolorstreet.com/glamgeordan. Even if you aren’t ready to buy yet, go to her site and see all the styles you have to choose from. There really is something for everyone and every occasion.
If you’re looking for the best quick manicure around then Color Street nail strips are a must try! Easy application and stunning, long lasting designs give you everything you could want in nail color. Save yourself some money and enjoy salon style nails in the comfort of your own home.
Loved reading this post. I’ve been using CS for a few months and am completely addicted! I find myself checking out their website to see what’s new every payday… 🙂 Anyway, I have ALWAYS had problems with my nails peeling and breaking, without anything on them. I can’t grow my nails out–never have been able to. CS also causes my nails to peel, so I will try the mineral fusion and cuticle oil tricks to see if that improves. But see, I don’t mind that because that’s just how my nails are, and it’s so much better than a much worse problem I have experienced. I used to get my nails done all the time (acrylics), and after 8 years, I developed a REALLY bad allergy. The same reaction happened when I tried gel nails, too. After it took 12 weeks to grow out my horribly painful nail nubs, I was so afraid to try anything on my nails!!! I tried another strip that required heat setting, but that was too much hassle, and I never could get them to look right. And then, a friend introduced me to CS and even treated me to a gorgeous mani! I was worried about having an allergic reaction, but after 2 weeks, my nails still looked amazing, and I was hooked! I’ve been doing my own now for 4 months, and I just love the way they look and the price is right! Thanks for this great post, and for all the wonderful tips provided. I will try to return and let you know how it goes.
I have been using CS for over a year now. I have noticed definite nail strength decline over time. However, I am obsessed with creative applications and change my CS mani weekly without breaks in between. I do use Mineral Fusion remover and a good cuticle oil, but they are still really thin and break easily. Again- I don’t think it’s a CS issue- it’s my frequency of changes with no “naked nail” breaks. I do recommend using a nail strengthening base coat as well.
I love Color Street nails. I peeled them off once & never again. That mistake ruined my nails & it took awhile for them to grow out & be healthy again. I use Mineral Fusion polish remover to remove the nail tips and Hard as Hoof & mineral oil in between sets which have really helped my nails. I tried a clear base coat once but it made the CS nail application more difficult & I was not able to reposition the strips.
I save my remaining strips by using my seal a meal! Works perfectly. I always save the strips for my granddaughter. With her small nails I have enough to give her a manicure and she loves it. We only use Mineral Fusion to remove our polish also. That stuff is amazing! We also use cuticle oil as part of our girl time routine. It’s fun to spend this time with her, she is growing up too fast!!
Thank you for the honest review! (Also, said with love, the expression is “ins and outs” not “ends and outs”. 😉
Thanks for pointing it out. (Mostly because Kristy wrote that article and now I get to make fun of her. Haha. I’m kidding, sort of.)
I am a new user, a few months now. My stylist suggested using a product called Hard as Hoof nail strengthening cream on my nails and cuticles in between applications. So far, so good.
Hi Diane. Thanks for sharing. You’re definitely not the first to mention using Hard as Hoof nail strengthening cream. It’s good to hear that the product works for many people and helps fix the brittle nail issue.
I loved this, thank you! I love these but had an awful time with horribly peeling nails amd thought I would have to give them up. At the advice of my stylist, I use Opi Nail Envy before applying the strips- the downside of that is that I can’t move the strips if I get them on crooked, but it has helped immensely. I also switched to Mineral Fusion remover, and I give my nails a break in between sets and keep them moisturized with cuticle oil. They aren’t completely grown out from the peeling, but definitely getting better!
Thanks for sharing, Kat! I like the idea of using a base coat on my nails before but not being able to move the strips during application is a bummer. I think the mineral remover and cuticle oil are going to be my fix for now and we’ll see how that goes but if my nails are still brittle after using Color Street then I’ll try the base coat.
Great post! I, too, used “another type” of strips that required heat and my nails grew very soft after that. Didn’t use anything for several months, and then decided to try Color Street, with great success. These do not damage my nails at all. The one problem I had was my own fault – I used an acetone remover to get a glitter set off, and the skin on my fingers literally peeled over the next two weeks. I bought the Mineral Fusion non-acetone remover on my daughter’s recommendation and have had no problems since. She’s been using Color Street for several years and has application and removal down to a fine art. I’ve read lots of different posts and have chosen the tips/tricks that work best for me.. I hatehateHATE waiting for my nails to dry!!
You’re the second person to mention the mineral fusion non-acetone remover. I definitely need to make the switch. Thanks so much for sharing Anne!
What a super great article. Thank you for your review. I haven’t used the cuticle oil, but I will start today. I LOVE color street. It makes me feel pretty to have pretty nails and my husband loves that I always have my nails done. He loves me enjoying my nail obsession. My nails have been peeling which I believed started with using 100% pure acetone. I use Mineral Fusion nail polish remover now and I really like it. I order it on Amazon.
Hi Michelle. I’ve heard some people say it could be the nail polish remover that’s causing brittle nails so it’s definitely worth looking into a different one. Thanks for the idea and suggestion.
Mi e nails are peeling as well. I’m going to try the remover that you recommended. I also wanted to add that I used a clear gel polish from Sally’s that doesn’t need a light to cure. It drys by the time you finish the second hand. Stays on and never chips. I take them off once they have grown out too much. Sometime 2 months.
Would love to know the name of the clear gel polish but I’ll definitely check out Sally’s. Thanks for the tip.
Thank you for honest review. I really love using the strips but I have notice problem with my nails ripping at the edges frequently which is a new problem. Now I don’t feel crazy! I love the strips so I might take your advice and give my nails a break in between. Haven’t seen any problems with it on my toes.
Hi Courtney! My toe nails seem to do better with nail strips as well. I hope you’re able to find a good balance between Color Street nails and rest time that works for you.
I just wanted to mention that the problem with splitting and peeling nails could be caused by the “filing” of the extra length of the strip off. When we file the nails down from the top of the nail, it actually separates the layers of the nails themselves. Think sanding a piece of wood against the grain. If you seam the edges against the nail with your finger to sort of score them and then pull the excess off in a downward motion you don’t have to file the edges much if at all. I hope that explanation is clear and helpful to someone.
I’ve never thought of that but it makes sense. I’ll definitely try your method and see if that helps. Thanks for sharing, Karen.
Yes, i do the same thing using my nail to score and pull off, Just using them again after about a year since my nails got really weak and brittle from the first time using them. I thought i left them on too long since they stayed so nice, I also peeled them off. Won’t do that this time and hope that won’t happen again.
Definitely don’t pull off Color Street nails and try using a mineral remover and cuticle oil to help combat brittle nails.
Totally agree with this! I also use a glass file to finish off the edges (I only use glass files on my nails as they tend to peel in layers). Harsh files (or incorrect filing, sawing back and forth) and acetone are so hard on nails. The process of buffing, wiping with alcohol, no base coat, the harsh filing, and possibly peeling strips off or using acetone can be very drying and potentially cause damage for people’s nails.
I *always* use a base and top coat with my CS strips. It adds maybe 5 extra minutes to the process, increases longevity and shine, and keeps my nails healthy. I use Kur’s Get Well Nail Recovery as a base coat, and Maxus Top Coat or Kur Gel Genius top coat. I use cuticle oil and cream daily as well. I’ve never had any issues with the strips damaging my nails. I would strongly suggest using a treatment-type base coat under the strips if you’re experiencing damage. Butter London Horsepower base coat is another excellent one, I think Essie and Sally Hansen both make good ones as well, and you could even use something like Nailtiques or NailTek underneath.
I would strongly suggest using a treatment-type base coat (the Kur I mentioned is a good one, Butter London Horsepower base coat is another excellent one) and going easy with the filing and the removal.
I love the polish strips as well, but after leaving the 1st ones on for almost 3 weeks a took 4 days off and put on a new set for 1 week. My nails are terribly damaged, but I lived wearing them. Will try for less time when I am able to use them again
Very informative! Thank you very much for your detailed review. Just wondering, how do you save them and keep them from drying out, once opened? I am looking at purchasing them, but cost is obviously a factor, so I’d like to get the most bang-for-my-buck! Thank you 🙂
Hi Beth!So there are two things that you can try to keep Color Street nail strips from drying out once they are opened.
First, you can reseal the bag with a flat iron. Press all the air out of the bag. Then fold a cloth over the open end and press the hot flat iron down on the cloth. Hold for a couple of seconds and then check the bag to see if it’s sealed. If not then press again for a little longer. The heat from flat iron will melt the plastic and seal the bag up again. You need the cloth to keep the plastic from melting onto the hot iron.
The second tip comes from a reader and I haven’t tried it yet but once you’ve resealed the bag you can put it in the freezer. The cold air is supposed to keep the nail polish strips from drying out. I haven’t tried this yet but our reader said it works great.
I just put them into a zip lock bag. That’s worked for me, so far.
Glad to know that’s worked for you. It’s definitely easier then resealing them but it’s been hit or miss for me.
I find that the freezer doesn’t work as well as refrigerator. For whatever reason, the freezer seems to make them less workable. I also seal the bag and then put into a ziplock bag, then into the refrigerator. I’ve also noticed that the overlays don’t do well after the initial opening. Just my experience!!
I’ve been using CS for over a year now and just throw my leftovers in a ziplock in the freezer. I’ve gotten several “ mixed manis “ just using leftovers.
I never remember to throw used Color Street in the freezer. Thanks for the tip and reminder.
I fold the top of the bag over and tape it completely. Then when I use the left overs, if they are a bit dry I hit them with a hair dryer and that softens them up. 🙂
That definitely seems easier than using a flat iron to reseal the bag. I’ll have to try it out. Thanks for the Color Street tips, Jessie.
I have to say after getting no chip for a long time and switching to color street, I do not have any nail damage. I just love color street. You decide when you want your nails done. You are not a slave to the nail salon every 2 to 3 weeks. I love them!!! They are great for gifts and I’ve had nothing but good things said to me!!!
Way too much BS to wade through. Get to the point already!
I guess it all depends on what point you’re trying to find. Use the headers to find what you’re looking for and read from there.
Why not just click out of it, and go read something shorter, rather than leaving an ugly comment? The author gave her time for the benefit of anyone who wants to read it for free. No one’s making you read it.
Thanks for understanding the work that goes into our posts Diane.
Wow. So rude! Author is just trying to be helpful and you are being very nasty.
Thanks for your support Xta!
This is THE ONLY THING I could find online with HONEST reviews about the damage these cause to nails!!! I loved wearing CS, but they have ruined my nails AND toenails and now I am stuck with a drawer full of product I won’t wear and I refuse to give them to anyone to damage their nails as well. Really sucks. Thanks for being open and honest with the reviews. I’ve had my nails naked for the last 2 months and they are just finally not peeling, but they are SO WEAK and bend easily. Never in my life have I had these issues.
Thanks for sharing Dorothy. I know that Color Street is better than some other nail trends but yes they still damage a ton of users nails. Other people don’t seem to have a problem with them. Spacing out wear time and adding nail care during and in between use does help. Personally, I use them on my toes in the summer only and for my nails on special occasions. You can always try to find someone who knows the pros and cons of the nails and still uses them to sell your extras too.
I appreciate that, too. I found this page in a search to see if others have had this problem with Color Street nails. I love them so much, I don’t want to stop using them, but they make my nails split and peel afterwards. Before that, I had long, healthy nails as a nice side effect of taking a lot of vitamin supplements for something else.
No other polish will stay on my nails for more than a day without chipping, so I would be sad to give these up. I’m going to try using cuticle oil all over my nails daily, and see if that helps.
I had the same issue! My toe nails were pretty strong and I used the pedicures strips twice and my big toe nails split right down the middle (front to back.) I can apply the strips so much easier on my toes (oddly) than my fingers but, I refuse to put them back on my toes. I have a few sets that I will use on my fingers but they don’t last very long for me at all. Just sucks because they’re so pretty and not quite as harsh as acrylics.
What do I have to do to become a hostess?
Hi Janet! I’m not sure if you’re talking about hosting a party or becoming a Color Street stylist. If you want to host a party at your house then you need to contact a stylist in your area. If you want to become a stylist and sale Color Street then you’ll need to buy a starter kit. There is info for hosting a party and becoming a stylist on the Color Street website.
Loved this post! Glad to hear that maybe it’s not just me having brittle nails after use- I did peel the polish off once so that may be my issue. I know, that’s bad but I didn’t think it would ruin my nails and make them so brittle. I also just got a new polish remover and cuticle oil to see if that is the issue or helps. Loved reading the comments that had suggestions in them. I learned a lot. I do really like ColorStreet for the reasons stated above in the blog post and it’s supporting my cousin (it’s her side hustle and makes her happy).
I so glad you learned something from this Color Street Post and the comments section. We try to keep the post up to date and even put comment tips into the post from time to time when we think they can be helpful.
I have been using Color Street six to eight months now. I love them. I love the colors, I wear the glittter ones more than just plain polish. I can’t get the plain ones on as well. But the last time I wore them, about two weeks. Then I took them off and I thought sure my nails were ruined. These was some kind of white stuff on my nails that was hard and terribly hard to get off. I finally did get it off, then I left my nails plain for about three weeks, I used oil on them two to three times a day. They were brittle and easy to break and chip. I have never had problems with my nails doing that. My nails are large and real hard, never been easy to break or chip. But I have had a time trying to get them back in shape. I did finally put some new Color Street nails on. This week will make two weeks they have been on, still look like I just put them on. So I’m a little nervous about taking them off. I hope they are back to normal. So if you have any points for me, I would appreciate them.
Hi Phyllis. Thanks for your comments about your experience with Color Street. I think the best thing you can do for your nails is to give them a break in between each polish set and keep using a nail and cuticle oil. Over time that should really help strengthen your nails again. I’ve also heard of other Color Street users taking supplements like biotin and collagen but I haven’t tried them yet.
I started using a nail strengthener base coat before applying color street and it has helped a lot.
Thanks for sharing, Kim. That’s good to know.
I had trouble with my nails getting brittle and flaky too. I definitely use a base coat now designed for brittle nails before applying my strips. I also only use mineral nail polish remover (Mineral Fusion) because I think it was the acetone remover that made getting the glitter polish off easy – but also wrecked my nails. Finally I use a cuticle/nail cream called Hard as Hood at least once a day & then cuticle oil once a day. I know that’s a lot of primping, but I love cute polish & I could never get that with liquid. Also doing these things, I’m able to go from one set to another with no “naked nail” days and without the flaking, breaking nails!
Thanks for sharing, Jessica. It’s always helpful to see what works for other’s that wear Color Street.
Do you use the “Hard as Hoof” cream daily– even when you have the Color Street product on your nails?
You can. I wait at least a day to make sure my nail strips have cured and then I don’t have a problem with the cuticle cream/oil messing up my nails. I’d try it out and see how it works for you.
I’m a huge colorstreet fan! I have many designs in my personal collection. Just a couple things I will share. I love their overlays! To save money I use my own solid nail polish (fast dry) then I add the overlay of my choice on them. 15 min dry time on my polish. Then simply add your overlay. Bam your ready to zip your jeans tie your shoes and out the door🤣
I ONLY shop the deals! I stick up at that time.
Buy 3 get 1
Check your local craft fairs and farmer markets.. I have gotten them as low as $4 a set again I stock up.. I had a colorstreet FB party we left it open for about a month.. I scored 23 free sets of nails!! Also 2 ladies booked from my party I got 2 sets free from each of those. I get 2 sets out of 1!
Or mani and pedi…
So I’m closing I say….
Try those overlays with a solid nail polish.
Shop the deals ONLY…
No stylist wants to be stuck with inventory… the few I know always throw in one from their stash if you buy 3 get 1 so I get 5 sets for 3.
Also join their mega sale parties.. get to know MANY stylists….
Hello, I was curious to know if the new polish remover and cuticle oil has helped. I have the same problem, but I love the concept of these nails. I too, peeled off my first set, so I am hoping that is the issue?
Thank you!
Hi Melissa! I haven’t swapped nail polish yet because I hate wasting the one I have and since I don’t use Color Street nails on a daily basis I’m not as worried about it. The cuticle oil seem to help my nails stay stronger and grow a bit better so I’ll personally continue using it.
I have the same issue. They ruined my nails sadly!
It’s such a bummer when it happens. It seems like switching to mineral nail polish remover and using cuticle oil has really helped some people. Maybe you can give that a try Rosemarie.
Me, too. I loved the colorstreet , but 3 of my nails broke off at the quick and below. I will try the cuticle oil.
Use Soy Polish Remover by Sundays or Karma Organic Natural Nail Polish Remover to remove nail strips. I’ve been using these for a long time now and they work just as good and do not damage your nails. Also don’t peel the strips off. This does damage your nails. Hope this helps!
Thanks for the Color Street tip, Sierra. We’ve switched to mineral nail polish remover and it helps but it’s nice to know there are other options out there that also work.