INCOCO DRY NAIL APPLIQUE! Introducting Intern Eleni-New Megs Makeup Family Member!
Sup girls, this is Eleni, the new addition to Meg’s drunken dysfunctional makeup testing group.
This collaboration is a product of mutual love. I love them. They love me. We love makeup. Having worked as a magazine beauty editor, there’s something irresistible about the “you can write the truth” statement coming from Megan’s lips, that makes you HAVE to be a part of this - here I am.
When I first got the Incoco Dry Nail Appliqué in my hands, I didn’t believe in it. I believed in the pleasure of unpacking it and using it even if it failed to compete with my Chanel nail polish, but I did not believe in it for what it was.
There’s something almost religious about the ritual of unpacking makeup - and when it comes to makeup that has 6 different things included in a tiny box, the ritual gives an out-of-this-world pleasure.
I don’t know what it is with us women and little cute things. We buy a $200 eye cream and are ecstatic on the phone with our mom because “it even has a nice little spatula”. It should have a fairy attached that applies it on your eyes for $200 if you ask me. We buy blush and when we see the little cute -and totally unusable- dwarf brush in the packaging we go bananas with pleasure. It still feels a bit like preparing a tea party for our Barbie doll using her kitchenware, or maybe it is a projection thing since we are the ones that want to be little and cute.
For whatever reason, unpacking the Incoco’s Color Enamel Strips kit sent me to that place. That happy for the little cute things place. I found enclosed:
1. A Polish Removal Cloth, safely sealed.
2. A French Nail Strip sample.
3. A pink and purple mini file (the cutest).
4. A cuticle stick.
5. A silver tape for resealing the package.
6. Color Nail Strips of course.
The color of choice, “Flaunt”, which is exactly like Chanel’s “Splendeur” with sparkles added. There was no time for mistakes. I had dinner plans in half an hour which gave me enough time to fix my nails but not enough time or courage to correct my mistakes.
I approached the whole procedure with the mentality of a brain surgeon.
I got rid of my multicolored sample nails that I’ve been sporting for a week, buffed and smoothed my nails with the mini file (a huge sacrifice if files make you cry), opened the Color Nail Strips package and with a trembling hand got my first nail appliqué.
I was amazed. It stuck on my nail so well, the excess appliqué came out so easily, without any rugged ends or mishaps. For a moment I hated myself for not having tried that earlier.
And then something happened. The rest of the nails happened.
You see, with one strip already stuck on my thumb, the rest of the strips kept touching it and sticking on it first and then I had to unstick them and show them the right nail. I wish I had four hands to do it, but I only got two and pretty clumsy ones. But this has to do with me not the product - and still, to its defense, even though almost every nail got stuck and unstuck at least 3 times, when it finally reached its destination it firmly stayed there.
The product’s only actual problem was that since my nails are pretty big (not long, big), the only strip that could cover 100% of my nail was the thumb one - for the rest I had to improvise and use some strips sideways.
But, hell, I’m good with improv, and I still made it to dinner with the most perfect manicure in LA for that night.
Summing it up girls
Pros:
It’s fast, not messy and already dry!
It lasts LONG
Cons:
You need to use a file to file off the excess - and that’s traumatic if you hate files.
It’s a bit more time consuming than the painting your nails.
If you’re clumsy, don’t bother.
Tips:
If you have small or short nails, you can use one strip for two.
If your nails are wide, you can use a strip sideways, it still works!
Be careful when you detach the strip from the paper - do it slowly because sometimes part of it remains there!
Ladies, did you love your Incoco or are you staying with the tried and true wet bottle?
>
- meg's blog
- Login or register to post comments
-
Reviews
Whoa - these had fallen to the bottom of my drawer since I got them a few months ago. The other night, in an effort to procrastinate from studying for exams, I got to work. I got them in Juicy Peach is is white metallic pearl with just a hint of peach to it - it is so up my alley because I don't like very loud colors on my fingers because I think it makes my fingers on my already small hands look stubby. Ok, it did take me a good 30 minuts to buff, file and carefully put on the appliques but it wasn't a missed thirty minutes I was just watching Law & Order reruns while I did it. However, for me the extra time it took over using conventional polish because I didn't have to wait for them to dry! And I am GIFTED at touching something too soon iwth wet nails and goofing them up. It happens ever time. Now, 4 days later - these are still chip free! I approve - and will definitely be buying these again!!! Although I don't understand why they give you TWO sample nails - what the heck do you do with TWO frenched nails? Beyond me...
Katie
I am really really bad at painting my own nails, even my toe nails. I leave all that to the pros. I have sausage fingers, pretty much every woman in my family has them. Short chubby fingers, and wide nails. I'm 5'6 and my pinkies are shorter then my 7 year old nieces. We have really short fingers. Anyway I just couldn't master these. I'm glad everyone else loves them, I really wanted to, it would have saved me some money in manicures but the stress of not being able to make them look even close to perfect wasn't worth it. It's not the products fault though.
Yet ANOTHER Incoco review, but let me tell y’all - these jewels Rock the Casbah. New set Sunday morning. Flew to Texas Monday. Three days of ag-implement-type training later - including prying of rivets with my perfect 10 - and I have a tiny hairline crack (see rivet-prying). Dang the crack, but let’s just say these are scaling up the impressometer.
I tried these Incoco nail strips and I loved them. I didn't find it hard to apply at all. I also have wide nails like some of the other members mentioned. I buffed my nails, then found the size to fit (sideways), cut it apart from the rest of the nail sticker as not to have them stick together like Eleni and placed it on my nail,then warmed it up with my opposite thumb and took my thumbnail to cut off the excess....no buffing!!! Whew that was a long sentence!! I love these..the only negative thing I have to say is that I hated the color. It's called Casablanca and it's a goth type deep burgundy color....no good for my 36 year old short fat fingers. I will pass these on to my 16yr old....she'll love them. I'm totally getting these in a pink color...they're awesome. I also love the fact that the kit came with a buffer and a cuticle pusher....so smart those Incoco folk!!!
Hmmm... these sound interesting. I think I'd be willing to try them and the extensive application process if it means having them stay and look good for days on end. My nails usually last about 24 hours before they chip. Ladies, have any of you tried doing dishes in them? That's my biggest problem (yeah, I don't have a dishwasher *tear). Anyway, great review, Eleni!
With all the talk about Nailtini and Essie polish I remembered that I did try this product. I got them on with almost no problem but I didn't like the polish I chose...it reminds me of stale pink prom dress. Too cutsy for me. The staying power I've gotta say didn't work for me. I've got serious issues with nail polish in general...it peels, it chips. However, I usually don't apply a top coat but if I apply too many coats then it definitely peels. While I love OPI colors, I hate that sometimes the consistency is different depending on if it's a creme or shimmer. Shimmer seems to go on better. So, with all that said I'm off to the drugstore to pick up some Revlon nail polish. Thank you KateRock! And I'll definitley stop by the mall for a bottle of Essie too!
Had to buy these on line, because our local Walgreens has not placed them in stock yet. My big tip: Do NOT try applying this product after consuming a pair of double-shot-nonfat-lattes! (I may live in the middle of nowhere but I own a very nice espresso machine.) Because I prefer a low-key French Manicure, the tips may have been a little too white... and it really took a little more decaffeinated practice than a mono-tone. Still, I was impressed. If you plan on doing any traveling, take these little jewels for a test spin. They are remarkably chip resistant - PLUS touch-up materials don’t have to be squeezed into a 1 quart ziplock with the your more precious beauty products.
Strawberry, I've had mine on 3 or 4 days and they are still looking great without any chips. Yes I do dishes without wearing gloves...three times a day. Kryss I think I read somewhere that only Walgreens carries them. Does anyone know if that is true?
I have to admit I was a little scared of these.. they reminded me of lee press on nails so I was a little sceptical. But they worked great! Great staying power. The fact you don't have to wait for them to dry is wonderful. They do take time and effort but your hands love attention so why not give it to them! They look great and have lasted me a good 5 chip free days so far.Two coffins up from the gore!Boo and Merry Christmas!
UPDATE: My initial application lasted exactly seven days, without the clear coat over that Desertdoll suggested. I went and bought them in another color today (oscar night - gold!). And I will add a clear coat. But I am very impressed with my seven days especially working at sephora where boxes and bubble wrap and hand sanitizer abuse my hands constantly.
Katie
While I think this is a great idea, and I was so excited to try it since I am messy at painting my nails, but better and painting my nails then aplllying these, sorry, not for me, I am one of the clumsey ones ;). I tried about 4 nails and got frusterated and gave up. Then a few days later I tried again....no luck. I couldn't get it smooth on my nail, and it is probablly just because I am shakey, and clumsey.....I will stick to the paint, since I can touch that up after I am done. My Mom however, got these and loved it. She did well with it, and I saw her nails after and they looked flawless! I wanted to know how she did it, so I am sure she will tell you all with her review...Maybe I will give it another shot, but probablly I will give the rest of mine to my Mom.
These reviews make this a must have. Like some of the women who have posted, I have thin, brittle nails and have a really hard time with keeping polish from chipping. I'm also known to smudge my nails after a painstaking polish and cleaning around the edges for a perfect manicure. I'll be picking this up this weekend to try.
Hi Elini...Welcome!!!! Where is your profile? We want to check out the new girl in town :-)...I just wanted to say hi and you're the luckiest girl on the planet. I'll post my review tonight!!!
I actually LOVE these! I have the worst nails ever - they're short, brittle, no nail polish EVER stays on for more than 24 hours without chipping (and believe me, I've tried. Even the manicurists are stumped). But with these, I actually have nail polish for more than 3-4 days with NO CHIPS! It's the most amazing thing that's ever happened to me (nail-wise)! It's true, they do take some finesse to put on, but I actually cut the ends off with little sharp snip scissors, then file down the last few millimeters of applique. That is way less traumatic. Also you can tuck that extra under the edge and get an even longer lasting polish. I have wide nails also, and so I do have trouble with the widths, but I've found if you center them over your nail, it's really not that obvious. I recommend these to every one I know, especially if they, like me, can basically NEVER paint their nails (I usually just don't even bother. It's an exercise in futility.) For $6 (at Walgreens), I get two "sets" of nail polish, which usually lasts me (keeper of the weird nails) about 10 days. Not a steal, compared to a bottle of polish, but when nothingelse works, it's a bargain!
I had tried something similar to this from Avon and I have to say these were much easier to put on and stayed on a lot longer. I have oily nail beds so polish tends to peel off my nails within a couple of days of painting it on. Not the case with this press on polish. I did have to try a couple of times with some nails so I didn’t have any creases, but over all they were easy to apply. I’ll be purchasing these again.
Overall I would rate it an 8. It was a little work to figure out the system, but after they were applied, my nails looked very professional and lasted almost 10 days. I will definitely use it again. I've never gottenany nail polish that lasted more than 3 or 4 days.
welcome eleni! can it be possible that there are now TWO greek girls on mm?
I have these on right now, this is the 7th day and they still look great. They are a bit time consuming to get on, so much so I was thinking "is this any faster than waiting for nails to dry?" But the difference is no smudges. I ALWAYS ruin an nail with a smudge and then it becomes a whole production, I obsess for and hour, try to fix it, make it worse, have to take it off, mess up another in the process. None of that with these. Plus, I'm sure application get fasters the more you use them. In the first 5 hours the stickers started to peel (or chip) off the top edge of my nail a tiny bit. So I thought "well, that's that. These will be off in a day" Cause you know with regular polish once you get one chip, it's all down hill. BUT-that was it, no more chips. And here I am 7 days later and they look exactly the same. I cheat on day 3 and put a coat of clear fast dry polish, so that might have helped. But the directions do say these can last up to 14 days. I gotta say-I'm super impressed!
I've never even heard of such a product. Sounds intriguing. I usually only wear a french manicure on my nails, but don't wear polish that often because of the upkeep. I wonder how that would work with these? I saw they had one. I went to the website above and it had a great video of how to apply. Eleni, it did say to apply them to your thumb last. I'm going to check for these at my local Walgreens.
Yeah, I'm all OCD-girl when I paint my nails, one smudge or bubble and BAM, I have to start over again...and they never look PERFECT, so I don't paint my nails as much as I'd like to. Now all I have to do is find these suckers...
Okay, I was a little sceptical at first. I have the patience of and ant. After eyeing them for awhile, Idecided to go ahead and try it. I was watching HDTV andresting in my favorite chair. At first I was pissed offthat it took so much time to figure out how to apply it.I have ADH and dyslexia (diagnosed by friends.) After finally getting the swing of it, I had them all appliedand looking great. I squeezed out 10 days and regrettedhaving to take them off. I used an almost beige colorthat I can't remember, but it was beautiful. So I willcertainly use them again.
I found these today at Walgreens and they were on sale. I had to do a little searching to find them. They were not by all the other nail products. I bought one of the french manicure colors and a really pretty rosy red color. My nails are so short right now, I opted to try the rosy red color first. They went on very easy and probably took less than 30 minutes start to finish. I am really impressed with how they turned out. The sales lady told me she loved them and recommended after 3 or 4 days to apply a clear coat to make them last even longer. As soon as my nails grow back some I'm definitely trying the french set.
I actually got a sample of these when they were released here in New Zealand. They're a really cool concept and all, but I just didn't really like them. For me it takes all the fun out of doing your nails. :P I think my Mum would really like these as she hates painting her nails!
Saw the Incoco stand at the mall- Garden State Plaza in NJ... the girl working at the stand agreed to actually do my manicure if i bought 6 sets... i was weary at first but she finally persuaded me... i LOVE THEM!!! i've had them on for 4 days now and they are showing no signs of wear and tear... they are perfect!
As a nail fanatic, I have still not tried these nail polish applications, I wonder how these work and what they look like when applied. Intrigued! I won't use them though cos I'm fine with applying my own nail polish, more fun that way. But guess this is good due to no time limit for them to dry. Poor though as you need to file them off? Really bad for your nails.
Nice! the review was great!
I really want to try these to see how they apply and more importantly how much they last!
Katiehttp://whatkatiedidherpolish.blogspot.com/
I just love dry nail polish!it's really long lasting, great colours and they fit all fingernails!plus no chemical smell!