Beauty Review: Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips

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March 14, 2011

Recently Sally Hansen sent me some of their new Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Polish Strips kits to try out, so I shipped a few to my sister, Chantal, in Chicago because she loves trend-setting nail polish and she's very critical and discerning when it comes to testing new beauty products. Of course, I had to give these a go myself, and I was beyond impressed with the results! Keep reading for Chantal's awesome review, and let us know if you've tried Sally Hansen Salon Effects in the comments. Plus stay tuned for a great giveaway where I'll be giving away 5 Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Polish Strips kits to one lucky reader. —BB

by Chantal B.
I love, love, LOVE these nail polish strips! I honestly had no idea what to expect from this product, but I can definitely say they are my new obsession, and I can't wait for Sally Hansen to come out with even more styles and colors (maybe some more neutrals or "adult" colors that are office-appropriate?)!

But, before I get ahead of myself, let me tell you about the 24 amazing options already available. The Salon Effects nail polish strips come in a really fun array of patterns (like leopard, zebra, florals and lace) neon colors and glittered options (thought I would hate the glitters but the gold one, Glitz Blitz is actually my favorite so far).

Above: My Skinny Jeans nails look perfect on Day 2.

This is a whole new way of doing your nails, so there is a little bit of a learning curve the first time you put these on, but it's super easy and you get the hang of it right away. Each package contains different size nail polish strips (just like fake nails come in different sizes to accommodate different size nail beds) so after picking out the sizes you need, you simply pull the strip off the protective sheet, press it to your nail and then file off the excess (and the little nail file you use comes in the kit too!). My absolute favorite part? No dry time, and virtually NO smell!!! Yay!!!

Above: Cut It Out looks great and is easy to apply on short nails.

Salon Effects last just as long as the brand says they will, 7-10 days, and I wasn't delicate with them. They truly last through everything.

I loved these immediately, the finish is smooth (even on the glitters) and gorgeous and it even makes my short nails look fantastic. To add the cherry on top I've also been receiving crazy amounts of compliments on my nails, everyone keeps asking me where I got my nails done, or what kind of polish I use to get such a fantastic finish. They are so amazed when I tell them its Sally Hansen Salon Effects, and even more excited when they find out they can buy them at their local drug store.

Above: Day 6, and still no chipping! You'd never get that with a conventional glitter polish.

I kinda wish they were priced slightly lower then their $9.99 price tag, but many stores are offering a buy one get one half off promo on these right now, and that makes it a little more affordable.
Spring Break is fast approaching, these would be amazing to take along and apply on the plane (no smell and no dry time = manicure anywhere) and the fun patterns and colors are perfect to welcome in the warmer weather! —Chantal Baros

WHERE TO FIND THEM: Sally Hansen products are available at chain drug stores, food stores and mass merchandisers nationally.

Photo credit: TheBudgetBabe.com

Comments (30)

Posted in: Beauty, Nails, Sally Hansen

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Comments

I love these too! They last FOREVER which would be perfect for vacations so you don't have touch up! That's what I'm keeping 'on file' for my next vacation. I'm with your sister though, can't wait for a few more options that are a tad more sophisticated.

#1 cadrommy on 2011-03-14 16:12 (Reply)

Wait do you top coat it or just press and go?

#2 Christina on 2011-03-14 16:31 (Reply)

Press and go!

#2.1 The Budget Babe on 2011-03-14 17:20 (Reply)

I tried them recently and i had trouble getting them to stick to my nails! They look great on you!

#3 Rlutz (Homepage) on 2011-03-14 16:31 (Reply)

It's a little tricky at first, here are a couple tips: definitely wipe your nails with nail polish remover before applying to remove any trace of hand lotion or natural oils. Also, avoid "ripping" the strip as you shape (I did that on one and it chipped), just smooth it down and then file the excess - I used a downward motion with the nail file, and that seemed to do the trick. Good luck!

#3.1 The Budget Babe on 2011-03-14 17:26 (Reply)

ooh, can't wait to try these out to see if they will be a good replacement for expensive no-chip manicures.

#4 Justine on 2011-03-14 16:47 (Reply)

I'm glad you reviewed these! I've been thinking about trying them for awhile now since I saw an ad in a magazine. Good to know it really does work - looking forward to the the giveaway!

#5 Jill on 2011-03-14 17:08 (Reply)

I tried out the Laced Up style last week. I liked them because they seemed to be the most "office appropriate" and I too received a lot of compliments. I had no problems putting them on or filing away the excess. The package comes with instructions on proper application and they stress to swipe nails with some nail polish remover right before applying to help the paint adhere to the nail. I also wish the price was a little lower, so I'll be buying these for vacations for the time being.

#6 Sandra on 2011-03-14 17:13 (Reply)

This sounds so cool!! I so want to try this out. How do you remove them? And are they damaging at all to your nails?

#7 MizzJ (Homepage) on 2011-03-14 18:36 (Reply)

The clerk at my local had them the leopard print on and it looked super cute and she raved about them. I'm gonna try these...hopefully they start up at line for toes, too

#8 dee (Homepage) on 2011-03-14 21:38 (Reply)

Wow, thanks for the great info I will definately link you on my blog.

#9 jodran shoes (Homepage) on 2011-03-14 22:48 (Reply)

I tried these and my fingers were too small for them. A few sizes fit, but when I ran out of those the ones I was putting on were really too big for my nails. Other than that I loved them!

#10 jill john on 2011-03-15 09:11 (Reply)

I've been wanting to try these, glad you gave them such high marks. I think some of the other commenters idea of using them for vacations is a great suggestion. I'll definitely be watching for these to go on sale!

#11 Sara (Homepage) on 2011-03-15 09:58 (Reply)

ooh....kind of pricey......Have you tried "Incoco" brand nail polish stripes?....they are my favorite and a lot less $$$ I love the french manicure they offer. Available at Walgreens.

#12 Faith Spicer on 2011-03-15 11:15 (Reply)

I have been wearing these for almost 2 months. I wore the lace for about a week when I had a funeral to go to and was too busy for a manicure. Everyone mentioned how gorgeous they were, even my dad.
I got a gift certificate for Minx nails , which is applied at salon with heat . I have to say that I totally prefer the Sally Hanson nail strips to the $55 minx nails. I use only 1 package at a time (2 to a package) to get 2 applications per $9.00. The key is to use the same nail strip for same fingers on different hands.
I just applied the metallic fishnet style and people are loving them. I work for a large fashion co. in NYC and everyone is impressed. No need to clean up messy polish or stinky remover.

#13 april on 2011-03-15 13:34 (Reply)

They look awesome! But...how do you remove them?

#13.1 kelsey on 2011-03-15 14:51 (Reply)

The Sally Hansen web-site says you remove them with regular nail polish remover. They look absoutely awesome, don't they? Great when it's a dreary day and you want a little lift!

#13.1.1 The_Dark_Lady on 2011-03-15 20:14 (Reply)

These are hard to get my hands on. I went to 3 CVS store, 1 Target and 1 Rite aid. I found that only 1 CVS that carried it along with the target and the rite aid,but they were all sold out except for the solid color ones. Also target didn't carry all the styles

#14 raale on 2011-03-15 14:36 (Reply)

I've tried both these and the incoco strips. The incoco solid colors are cheaper than Sally Hansen's but the fabulous design strips are more expensive than Sally's. Anyway, they live up to their advertised longevity which is a godsend when time is sparse. I used them during the summer when I had organic chemistry every day at 8 am and spent the rest of my time studying. As mentioned in the review, the best value to me is the glitters which NEVER last in conventional polish form.

I don't use the file, instead I clip the strip with nail scissors and wrap it under slightly (to mimic the wrapping I would do with liquid polish). I find it is easier to avoid inadvertent tears and rips this way as well. The price definitely makes them an indulgence but if you are obsessive compulsive about wearing nail polish and have no time to maintain it I think they're a worthwhile investment.

#15 sobriquet on 2011-03-15 15:43 (Reply)

I LOVE LOVE LOVE THESE! Awesome! They last a long time. I personally add a coat of top coat on mine because I am very hard on my nails. Love the patterns and colors. I work in a salon and people including the nail techs could not believe that I had done them myself. Several clients purchased them for themselves after seeing mine.

#16 Chasity J on 2011-03-15 16:35 (Reply)

My teenage daughter bought and used the gold glitter ones. They look great and no chipping. Didn't know the price but coupons or sales will be the way to go.

#17 Kathy V on 2011-03-15 23:09 (Reply)

Ooohh i wanna try em so badly but cant find a store down here in the Bahamas that sells em. They look very nice on you tho!

#18 Coco on 2011-03-16 08:58 (Reply)

I'm currently on day 11 with my first set of these. No chips! I have top coated them a few times with Essie "good to go" topcoat. If it wasn't for the nail growth I have they look perfect. I'm someone who chips polish the day it gets put on. Love these!

#19 Nikki on 2011-03-18 07:03 (Reply)

OOOh the Glitter one is so pretty! I'm going to try this for sure!

xoxo

michelle

#20 Michelle (Homepage) on 2011-03-23 10:36 (Reply)

Bold attempt is half success.

#21 Nike Shox Clearance (Homepage) on 2011-03-23 22:11 (Reply)

Do you think these would work okay with someone who tends to keep their natural nails pretty darn long?

#22 Sandra on 2011-03-31 14:08 (Reply)

Has the giveaway taken place yet??? I just bought these and am excited to try! The Target by me had them at $8.50 and there was a $1 off Target coupon and $1 off manufacturer coupon so I got the box for $6.50! Can't wait to try!

#23 Kelly on 2011-04-08 10:31 (Reply)

Perfect fit, very comfortable!

#24 CheapJordans on 2011-04-12 20:27 (Reply)

I used the pink glitter ones. I work in an engineering department with all men and got several compliments about them. With one pack I was able to fit my hands and toe nails. They are very durable. I had to change a tire on my bicycle and did so without damaging the polish at all! I found that removing them was a little more time consuming since there seems to be a thick layer of top coat. Once I got to the glitter layer I had to soak a cotton ball in remover and let it sit on the polish for a few seconds to soften it up. Once it was soft I was able to swipe it off.

#25 vicki on 2011-06-14 21:56 (Reply)

i love this product. i also posted a pic on my blog. check it out: http://lifeinprogress-jesslope.blogspot.com/2011/06/beats-manicure.html
thanks!

#26 jesslope (Homepage) on 2011-06-20 08:41 (Reply)

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