“Color street ruined my nails!” This was the (slightly dramatic) text I received from my friend Bronwyn the other day.
She’d just taken off her color street nails (which she adored, btw) and her natural nails were dry, brittle, and peeling.
She loves wearing color street so much and she wanted to know what went wrong.
So I did a little digging and this post was born.
Whether you’ve had a bad experience with color street or you just wanna know if they are safe and healthy to use, this post is for you.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
Can color street ruin your nails?
Can color street damage your nails?
Is color street hard on your nails?
Do color street nails cause peeling?
How to protect your nails when using color street
The pros of using color street nail strips
The cons of using color street nail strips
Let’s dive right in.
Can color street ruin your nails?
Color street ruined my nails. Hmmm, ruin is a strong word. With the question worded this way, the answer is pretty simple.
No, color street nail polish strips won’t ruin your nails.
Color street stickers are made from 100% nail polish.
The risk is pretty much the same as painting your nails with regular nail polish.
That being said, some people have found that their nails are weaker and their cuticles are dry after using color street.
This is most likely due to the chemicals in the remover that they are using and not the strips themselves.
Can color street damage your nails?
No more than regular nail polish.
Like any nail polish that contains a bunch of chemicals, color street can damage your natural nails.
The actual nail polish strips themselves do contain chemicals that can weaken your nails.
So, if you use color street, or any other nail polish too much, then your nails will suffer.
To avoid causing too much damage to your natural nails, use your own judgment.
Monitor your nails and if they start to get weak, dry, or brittle, give them a break.
Most damage happens during removal, as we’ll see.
The best tip I can give you is to use Mineral Fusion acetone-free nail polish remover.
Is color street hard on your nails?
No. Color street is completely safe to use and won’t be any harder on your natural nails than regular (non-gel) nail polish.
If your nails have gotten damaged after using color street, here are the 2 most likely reasons:
You used a nail polish remover that contains acetone.
Acetone dehydrates the nail plate and can irritate the cuticles and the skin around the nail.
I recommend switching to an acetone-free nail remover like Mineral Fusion (check price on amazon). It’s much kinder to the nails and works great with color street strips.
You tried to peel the polish off.
Peeling off color street nails is a really bad idea. You will rip off the top layers of your nail plate and cause a lot of damage.
Do color street nails cause peeling?
Color street nails should not cause natural nails to peel.
If you have unhealthy nails that are prone to peeling to begin with, color street is not going to help them.
But if your healthy nails start peeling after using color street then it’s probably because you used a remover with acetone in it.
It is the acetone in the remover and not the polish strips that make nails dry out, split and peel.
Switch to an acetone-free remover and you should start to see an improvement.
Also, never, ever peel off the strips or you’ll peel half your nails off too!
How toxic is color street?
Color Street is free from many of the toxic ingredients found in some nail polishes.
Nail strips from color street do not contain formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthalate, camphor, xylene, or ethyl tosylamide. They are also paraben-free.
You can check out the full ingredients list here.
How to protect your nails when using color street
Even though color street nails have a built-in base coat, I always recommend using a base coat underneath the strips.
I’ve found that my nails are in better condition when I do this, and they seem to last longer, too.
A good base coat only takes a few seconds to dry, and it will help to protect your nails from the chemicals in the color street polish.
The pros of using color street nail strips
Here are the main pros of wearing color street nails:
- The strips are quick and easy to apply
- They last longer than regular polish
- You don’t need to wait for them to dry
- They don’t smell
- They don’t chip in the same way as regular polish
- You don’t need a base or topcoat (though I recommend using both!)
- The colors are really pretty
- You can get 2 sets out of 1 packet (if your nails are shorter)
- You can use them on your toes
The cons of using color street nail strips
Here are the main cons of wearing color street nails:
- Application method takes some getting used to at first
- They can weaken your nails over time
- The remover can dry out your nails and cuticles
- They are expensive
- You have to be careful not to peel them off
- They can grow out rough and get stuck in your hair
- They dry out quickly once opened
That’s about it for this color street ruined my nails article.
Time for a few final thoughts.
Color street nails may not be as harmful to your natural nails as other nail polishes, but they can still damage them if you’re not careful. Mineral Fusion acetone-free nail polish remover is a great alternative to harsh acetone removers that won’t damage your nails. Always use a base coat before applying color street strips and never try to peel them off – this will only cause damage to your nails. And finally, don’t forget to moisturize your hands and nails regularly!
I hope that you have found my color street ruined my nails post helpful and that I’ve answered any questions you may have had.
My main key takeaway if you’re having trouble with color street causing damage would be to switch to an acetone-free remover and see if that fixes it.
It worked for my friend!
FAQ’S
What are color street nails?
Color street nails are strips of nail polish that you can attach to your nail like a sticker.
They come in a range of colors and finishes, and they last longer than regular nail polish.
How long do color street nails last?
The website says 10 days, but in reality, you would be lucky to get a week.
How many sets of color street nails can you get out of one packet?
You get 16 individual strips in different sizes. If your nails are short, you should be able to get 2 full sets from 1 packet.
Other useful posts:
What color nail polish goes with a black dress? Full Guide.
14 nail polish colors that go with any outfit!
Best acrylic nail brands: the most popular brands for acrylic nails.
How to match nail polish colors to your skin tone perfectly.
What Color Nail Polish Should A Bride Wear? Complete Guide.
What’s the best acrylic nail brush? My top 8 recommendations.
What color nail polish goes with a green dress? Ultimate guide.
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