Essie has recently got on board the nail applique/sticker craze with their Sleek Stick Collection. I admit I havent been very interested to try any nail appliques until Essie released theirs. With an assortment of 12 “runway inspired” designs you can easily create a flashy mani at home in minutes. The stickers a pre-cured with UV lights.
The Essie Sleek Stick Collection contains:
- 18 nail appliques
- 1 cuticle stick
- 1 file and buffer
- 1 instruction sheet
With 16 stickers included I was able to find ones that fit my nails perfectly. When picking up the stickers, I suggest you pull from the top as to not take any of the tackiness away. Placing the appliques to your nails takes some concentration. To apply, I placed a sticker right on the bottom of my nail first, pressing them upwards and onto the sides. I applied pressure all over my nail to make sure they were on well. I cut off the excess by lightly filing them in a front to back motion. I found that using a side to side motion tears away too much of the sticker. I still got a bit of a ragged finish no matter how many times I tried.
Applying the appliques to your nails is very easy and takes about 5 minutes. For ease of application these are wonderful, however for lasting ability these are not a great option. The Sleek Stick Stickers barely lasted through the night. I got a lot of wear on the tips and the design wore away halfway down my nail before the day was over. I highly suggest using a top coat to keep the design intact. If you are light on your hands you could get about 2-3 days out of them with the top coat. To remove, place a little oil on your cuticle and they will pull right off.
I would only suggest these nail stickers for a one night occasion. Even so, a top coat is a must! I don’t think I will personally be picking these up again myself. At $10 I would like them to last a bit longer. I would be curious to see how they would work on the toes. Paired with a strappy sandal for an event they could be quite lovely and might fare better.
(photo in natural light)
Get it here
Have you tried the Essie Sleek Stick Stickers? Will you be picking them up?
These look actually good when you applied them. I haven’t tried any, some just look incredibly fake and I’m a bit scared of it, lol. But there are some amazing designs out there!
Hi Teri, I feel the same way. It’s not the most sophisticated look, I just really wanted to try these though. Essie makes some beautiful designs.
Ouch, the lasting power part is heartbreaking! Do the instructions tell you to use a base coat? I’ve only tried stickers from ncLA and I was told to use a base coat. Also, filing downwards helps the edges look smoother. Though I have heard of nail stickers that just don’t last well, so sometimes I guess there’s nothing to do. Thanks for the review Taylor! You should check out ncLA if you like nail stickers!
Hi Sunny. I know.. It’s terrible. They do not say to use a base coat but to clean your nails well with alcohol before. They also didn’t say to use a topcoat either. I just tried it out with the extra stickers to see if it helped. They’re definitely a one night deal. I’m not too crazy for nail stickers but ill definitely check them out if I try them again. I also hear people love the Sally Hanson.
Well it sounds like the instructions aren’t detailed enough. That makes it frustrating! I have no access to Sally Hanson here so I don’t know, but if you see a design you like why not
Too bad about the lasting power, these are gorgeous! They remind me of Minx1
They are lovely, it is too bad.
I’ve never been too interested in nail stickers either, and given the lasting power, I think I’ll continue to pass on them. They do look nice on your nails though, even if only for a night!
Hi Catherine. I agree. I really did hear good things about the Sally Hansen though, but polish is definitely more my thing
I like the look of these particular ones but always been apprehensive about trying them. Thanks to your review, I’ll stick with old fashion nail color.
Hi Jeni.. Yes.. Me too! It was definitely fun to try them out. Thank you
I didn’t fare very well with the Hansen’s either. I just could get the placement right. I’ll be sticking to polish. Some of the designs are so fun though, I wish I had a steadier hand.
They look great, it’s too bad that they don’t last! How sad. But I guess they might be good for a fancy night out or a special occasion!
ohh yeah, I usually don’t buy these because the tips wear down so quickly on me too. This design is so cool though, I agree that it would be the perfect pedicure pattern!
I have a bunch of sticker sets laying around.. but I just can’t seem to work them! Filing them down to make them fit isn’t too easy if you ask me, and the lasting power indeed is often not enough. I like press on fake nails much more, if you ask me
That’s terrible to hear about the wear time :/ Strange because though I’ve only ever used these types of nail stickers once (Sally Hansens when they first came out), it lasted 2 weeks on my nails with no wear of any kind, save for very tips. It probably would’ve worn even longer than that but I got bored and had to remove them
Too bad. I love Essie and while I’ve gotten tired of the whole sticker trend, these actually did catch my eye and have me wanting them
Hi Becca, I have heard wonderful thing about the SH ones. I’ve read that in comparison these are very flimsy in comparison. I actually just came across a review of the Essie strips on Into The Gloss, they said the same thing, one night only!
These look awesome but I’ll definitely steer clear of them nwo that I know how long they last (or don’t last for that matter!)
i really like the greige ones with the rhinestones on the sides… bummer that they don’t last! i guess i won’t have to think about buying them anymore! Thanks taylor!
Haha, oh Joyce
I know right? I have problems haha. Plus I’m too lazy/scared to apply them, so this is all around a good thing.
I wish I read your review before buying these. I bought Sneek-e and agree with everything you said. The ends are ragged, I already have tip wear, and I am unhappy with the amount of stickers in the package. Not worth $10 IMO. The design is super cool though – really reflective metallic – but a one night thing for sure. Use a top coat!
Hi Dani,
Yes, I was so disappointed, I defi Italy would have loved to have picked up a new essie polish instead fr much less. They defi Italy should suggest the use of a top cost. I loved the reflective metallic as well!
Very pretty xx
I will await patiently
This is not out in my country yet