No doubt, the mere mention of nail stickers will likely conjure up flashbacks of the cutesy nail stickers you used once upon a time. And while nail stickers are still plenty of fun, they’ve also grown up quite a bit. So much so that descriptors like “sleek,” “sexy,” and “elegant” are not uncommon, and they can be a great pinch hit for a professional mani-pedi when you don’t have the time or cash. Moreover, nail wraps and stickers are user-friendly: Just peel, place, stick, and swipe on a top coat, and you’ve got yourself real nail art in minutes.
Wondering what self-respecting adult would use nail stickers? Well, it might be you after reading our roundup.
Best nail stickers overview:
- Best overall: Olive & June Mod Floral Stickers
- Best bang for your buck: Urban Outfitters Deco Miami Nail Art Stickers
- Best floral nail wrap: Scratch Groundbreaking Nail Wraps
- Best transparent nail wrap: Scratch Monochrome Nail Wrap
- Best nail sticker set: Feeling So Fly Nail Polish and Stickers Set
- Best splurge: Reyna Noriega Studios Instant Nail Artist Nail Sticker Trio
- Best full-color nail stickers: PaintLab Wicked Cherry Nail Wraps
- Best French mani stickers: Qdsuh French Nail Art Sticker
- Best gel nail wrap: Dashing Diva Gloss Ultra Shine Gel Palette
- Best sparkly wrap: Nails Mailed Big Sparkles Glitter Nails
- Best pedicure wraps: Nails Mailed Pedicure – Red Flowers
- Best nude nail wraps: d’IRIS Studio Self-Adhesive Blush Nude Neutral Full Nail Wraps
- Best for durability: Ohora N Coco Tweed
How we chose the best nail stickers
To compile this list, we researched manufacturer specifications, including the application process, the final outcome, and more, to create a short list of the top nail stickers. Then, we combed through detailed product descriptions, ratings, and reviews to find the best nail stickers for each category.
Our picks for the best nail stickers
With a different kind of bouquet, Olive & June’s Mod Floral Stickers secure salon-style embellishments to your manicure in minutes. These stickers are hand-screened with ink that won’t blur or fade, and adorning your nails is as easy as peeling, sticking, pressing, and adding a topcoat.
Type: Stickers | Number per package: 36 | Finish: Gloss
Made from a special material that’s skin-friendly, these nail stickers from Deco Miami are a super fun way to brighten your manicure. These stickers are designed to keep their color, but you may want to add a top coat to keep them from peeling. Choose from sticker themes like Mod London and Sunny Side Up, or opt for a ‘70s vibe with Stay Groovy.
Type: Stickers | Number per package: 204 | Finish: Gloss
Scratch’s Groundbreaking Nail Wraps add feminine florals with a vintage vibe to your manicure. Even better, you can use them alone or layer them over your favorite nail polish. These nail wraps don’t use harsh adhesives, so they’re gentle on your nails, and a little bit of acetone is all you need to wipe the slate clean.
We’ll add that users indicated that they don’t stay on well, so you should probably apply a topcoat. Each package includes 16 nail wraps in eight sizes, one cuticle pusher, a mini nail file, and a buffer.
Type: Wraps | Number per package: 16 | Finish: Gloss
Looking to tszuj your clear mani? Try the Monochrome Nail Wraps from Scratch. These nail wraps, formulated with actual nail polishes, are minimalist yet modern — wear them as bare nail accents or to add a little something extra to your favorite polish.
Type: Wraps | Number per package: 16 | Finish: Gloss
This nail sticker and polish set is a one-and-done DIY option for a salon-style manicure. With two quick-drying nail colors (Don’t Give A Flutter and Love On The Fly) and butterflies to top things off, they’re perfect for spring or summer. While some users have indicated that the stickers are longwearing, others have indicated that they peel quickly, so you may want to do your homework on this one.
Type: Stickers | Number per package: 88 | Finish: Gloss
If you’ve fallen hard for nail decals and are looking for a splurge, this instant nail sticker trio featuring the artwork of Miami-based artist Reyna Noriega might be worth a closer look. Sold as a three-pack, there are 22 vinyl stickers per set, and it comes with a nail file and a wipe to help with the application process. You’ll, however, pay a bit more for this artist’s product.
Type: Decals | Number per package: 22 | Finish: Gloss
These full-color nail stickers made with real liquid gel come pretty close to a salon manicure without the expensive price tag. According to PaintLab, these gels last up to 14 days, but users should note that they require curing under a UV lamp for at least 60 seconds.
Type: Wraps | Number per package: 20 | Finish: Gloss
French manicures are oh-so-elegant but so very hard to do on your own. But these stickers from Qdsuh can give you a helping hand. Each order comes with eight sheets of French nail decals in colors such as pink, black, red, blue, green, purple, yellow, and silver. Users are forewarned that these stickers are pretty delicate, so use tweezers to get them off the sheet and follow up with a topcoat.
Type: Stickers | Number per package: 288 | Finish: Gloss, metallic
With 32 gel nail polish strips in a pretty mix of dusty pinks and glittery golds, Dashing Diva’s Gloss Ultra Shine Gel Palette promises a super-strong, chip-resistant gel manicure that lasts up to 14 days. These nail wraps are designed with a non-wrinkling and waterproof formula that, like most nail wraps, is easy to apply.
Digging through reviews, we found a mix of folks who said these don’t last long and just as many that are happy with their longevity. So, you might have to give these a try to see for yourself.
Type: Wraps | Number per package: 32 | Finish: Gloss
If your motto with manicures is “go big or go home,” you might want to add Big Sparkles Glitter Nails by Nails Mailed to your short list. These glittery silver nails are nontoxic and made of 100% nail polish (so when the party’s over, they’re easy to remove). Each package comes with 16 silver glitter nails, prep wipes, and a file.
Type: Wraps | Number per package: 16 | Finish: Metallic
Nails Mailed nails it again with its Red Flowers pedicure wraps. These nail wraps are super cute, and they have a comprehensive assortment of styles and colors to jazz up your piggies. Just head to the brand’s social media pages to get the inside scoop on helpful hints.
Type: Wraps | Number per package: 16 | Finish: Matte
Nude nails are a sleek way to add some polish (pun intended) to your hands, and these self-adhesive nail polish stickers with holographic and gold color flowers are absolutely gorgeous. Each package comes with one sheet (16 nail stickers total), and per the manufacturer, you should keep your hands out of water for at least four hours after application to allow them to harden.
Type: Stickers | Number per package: 16 | Finish: Gloss, metallic
With a combination of soft blush pinks, sparkling rhinestones, and an elegant tweed motif reminiscent of the lady herself, these gel nail strips are hard to pass up. Made with cosmetic-grade materials, they’re easy to apply and remove. Plus, they accommodate any size nail bed and feature a unique C-curve design for an impeccable fit.
These gel nail strips are made with real liquid gel that’s 60% cured. Users will then take it the rest of the way using a UV lamp after application, and the end result is a salon-quality manicure that lasts.
Type: Gel strips | Number per package: 30 | Finish: Gloss, metallic
Nail stickers have come a long way
The term nail stickers used to be cringy. But they’ve come a long way over the years. And if you do your homework and choose wisely, you could even walk away with a salon-quality manicure at a fraction of the price. From floral nail sticker embellishments to full nail wraps that simulate a gel manicure, there’s plenty to choose from.
The best part? Applying these bad boys isn’t rocket science — just peel, place, stick, and seal. If you’re not quite ready to dive into the deep end, you can dip your toe in the water with Olive & June’s Mod Floral Stickers, our pick for the best nail sticker overall.
How to pick the right nail stickers for you
When shopping for nail stickers, you may want to keep the application process, removal process, and sticker’s overall durability in mind.
Application
In most cases, nail sticker application is just as easy as it sounds — peel, place, stick, and finish with a top coat. For nail wraps that cover the entire nail, there’s a little more to it. Wraps are usually generously sized, so in that case, you’ll have to peel, place, trim, stick, and finish with a top coat.
Removal
While nail stickers usually come off easily, nail wraps may require a bit more elbow grease — typically, most nail wraps will come off quickly with a swipe or two of nail polish remover or acetone.
Durability
The durability of nail wraps and stickers is dependent on a couple of factors. First, durability
varies widely across brands. Second, like nail polish, wrap and sticker performance and longevity often depend heavily on how tough you are on them. When in doubt, your best bet is probably to consult reviews and see what real-world users have said about real-world performance.
FAQ
What nail strips last the longest?
Made with real liquid gel that’s 60% cured, Ohora (our pick for most durable) is probably the longest-lasting nail strip.
Do nail stickers ruin your nails?
Usually made with nail- and skin-friendly adhesives, nail stickers are generally safe for your nails.
How do you get nail strips to stay on?
The durability and longevity of nail strips often vary based on the brand, and how much wear and tear they go through. Adding a topcoat as your final step when using nail strips is a good way to keep them looking great longer.