Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Review: Jamberry Nails

I am a huge fan of the Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Strips (I'm actually wearing some as I type this) so when given the opportunity I wanted to try out the Jamberry Nails nail shields.

The Jamberry Nails nail shields are made from vinyl so to apply and remove you need to use a hairdryer to heat them up to make them a little bit flexible. So they take a little bit more work and time to apply them.


From far away they look pretty great right? I got tons and TONS of compliments on them. But from my perspective the below pictures are what I was seeing and having to deal with. Maybe not so much worth the time...


Being a perfectionist this is pretty hard for me to deal with. Not a very smooth application.


So I had some mixed feelings about these. I loved the pattern and there are 250+ more where these came from. They definitely have the most variety in this type of general nail application I've seen. It was really hard to pick which ones to try. And you get enough nail shields for at least 2 applications so you are definitely getting a lot for your money. So they have that going for them.

I applied my pinkies first and those two are the only ones I could keep on my nails for more than a few days. They laid the flattest, not perfect but good enough. The rest were super wavy on the sides and some tips, getting caught on things and dust was getting stuck underneath them since they were not at all flat to my nails (besides the pinkies), basically I had to get them off my nails after a few days, I couldn't stand the application. I've seen pictures of people wearing them and they looks great on their nails though, so maybe it's my nail shape that isn't working in this situation. I saw a lot of pictures of flat short nails (which I don't have) so maybe they work better on those types of nails? I watched the application video several times and read the directions several times so I really don't think it was user error. The first two I put on stayed the best!

Jamberry Nails states that these should last for 2 weeks so I wanted to test that claim out. I left the two pinkies alone for two weeks. Technically they did stay on my nails for that entire time but sometimes when I would run my hands through my hair or wash my hair they would start to peel up from the nail bed but I just pressed them back down and they stayed.

So my verdict on this is it's a mixed bag. They definitely have a lot of great things going for them but also for me personally didn't meet my standards for how I wanted them to look when applied. Have you tried Jamberry Nails? What did you think of them?

Received this product complimentary for testing and review purposes


29 comments:

  1. Anonymous2:25 PM

    Hello, and thank you for posting this! I also recently ordered jamberry nails from a friend of mine who is a consultant. I got lost in all of the fun colors, and ended up ordering like 6 of these sets. I was excited when I got them, but that quickly faded when I tried applying them. :(

    The application process, for me, was like wrestling a tiny alligator and trying to fasten him to the end of my finger. They seemed very uncooperative and hellbent on frustrating me.

    I was finally able to beat some of them into submission, however they quickly starting peeling and riding up likes yours did. I was seeing these Facebook posts from all my friends saying "OMG I love these things, and they are so easy to apply" and "Look how awesome my nails look, only a complete idiot would have issues putting these things on."

    So yeah...after seeing their success and my failures, I was a bit let down by these things. I was SOOOO happy to see that you went through the exact same issues as I did. Now I don't feel so bad!

    Anywho, after all of that noise I think I found a work around.

    1. Try using tweezers to hold the nail while you are blow-drying it. It helps keep oil off of the adhesive and gives you a better chance of having those things stick.

    2. Apply them from side to side instead of from cuticle to tip. This will allow you to cultivate a "rolling" technique when applying them. They also have a little bit of stretch to them. So if you aren't quite to the end, you can stretch it just a bit so it will fit as best as possible.

    3. Cut off a piece of a sandwich bag, a strip that is about 1 inch think and 3 inches long. Wrap that around your whole nail AFTER you apply the shield and then blast your finger with a hair dryer. This will give it one final push at sealing the thing on your finger. (I also watched a You Tube video on this process, I am sure you can google it.)

    I have tried the methods above, and it has really helped. After spending upwards of $60 on these things, I was determined to make them work!

    Let me know if this works for you as well.

    -Nikki :)

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Nikki! I will definitely try that! You sure macgyver-ed them! :)

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  2. Anonymous7:26 PM

    i love the patterns but ugh mine lasted 5 mins and like ugh totally not worth the money or time, unless you are gonna wear them for one night for like a prom or wedding

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    Replies
    1. Five minutes? There no way they only lasted that long unless you didn't use heat.

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  3. Anonymous7:28 PM

    i got them and they didn't work they lasted for like 5 mins but like if u r gonna wear them for like one night/ day there gr8 for a wedding and or a prom. but i LOVE all the patterns :)

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  4. I have had nothing but good luck with these, I have used 4 different sets and had no rolling or peeling, and they have stayed on between 12-16 days without any issue. The first set was the hardest to get on, but after that it was easy.

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  5. I have worn 4 different sets and have had no problems - no peeling or lifting as shown in the above pictures. The first set was the most difficult and time consuming to apply, but after that it has been easy. my sets stay on 12-16 days. I love them. My only tips would be to make sure they don't touch your skin during application, and if you have highly curved nail beds, place them on the nail first and then heat.

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  6. Try the sandwich bag technique! Watch the video: http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=x8qtTRYnwPk&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dx8qtTRYnwPk

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  7. Being a Jamberry consultant, I am sorry you were not happy with the product. A few tips to try might be washing your hands with plain blue dawn dish soap before hand. And make sure they do not touch your skin, and that you handle the shield with tweezers. Also, heat, heat, heat. My guess is that you did not heat them enough! Let me know if any of these tips work! lovinjamberry@gmail.com!

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  8. Also try heating your nails a little to before you apply and the sandwich baggie trick does help a lot

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  9. One trick I found i to use a rice heating bag and place on top of the nails after application to form a stronger seal

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    Replies
    1. Where do you get a rice heating bag from? I know this post is old, but I have the same rolling issue. I know I am not using the best heat source. So that's one issue.

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  10. I've used these nails and I think you're wrong they go on great mine stayed on for 3 weeks and after 2 corners started to pop up so I used nail glue and problem fixed. It takes a little practice but soooo worth.

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  11. I love mine now! The first set I had I almost had a temper tantrum because it took so long for me to get the feel for putting them on. But each set go easier and quicker. In my laziness after awhile, I did not buff my nails first (my nails tend to be on the oily side - who knew?)and they shields fell off in a couple of days. But every other set, has been a complete success with only some minor infractions, like lifting at the edge of my nail. I am a kindergarten teacher and tend to use my nails to do things a lot like opening packages and other random things. But overall, the main reason I remove them is because my nail has grown too much that it starts to look silly. They stay on my hands for 2 weeks and I have kept them on my toes for 7 weeks without one problem!!!!!!!!!!!! I am also an OVERHEATER! I heated and rubbed A LOT! Try again and good luck.

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  12. I'm just discovering this nail option and wonder if they are like acryllic? I have really good nails and at the salon they tell me not to get acryllic because it will ruin my good strong nails. I'm looking at this option because a friend of mine's daughter is a rep, but out of state, so if I order, I'm on my own. So I guess my main answer is: is this a healthy option for my nails? Or will I damage the good nails I have on my own?

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    Replies
    1. Jil, I'm not sure if you've gotten a reply to your question but I just came across this thread today. I am a Jamberry Consultant and to answer your question No, they are not like acrylics or gel polish where you have damage. There are two "official" Jamberry Recommended removal processes 1st is to heat the wrap and slowly peel it off (SOME people have experienced slight damage this way) so I recommend the 2nd method which is to soak your natural nail in fingernail polish remover that contains acetone (some people even use Cooking Oil) to help the adhesive to release. Here is a link to both the application and removal instructions and a few video's to help http://mtippett.jamberrynails.net/about/apply/

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    2. Another option my consultant taught me in getting them off without damage to the nail is to soak the nail in slightly warmed vegetable or olive oil for about 20 seconds, then, with the nail still in the oil, carefully peel the nail off. It worked great in not damaging my nail and actually making my nails softer!

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  13. Anonymous9:03 PM

    I have to say that I LOVE MY JAMBERRY NAILS and I am a consultant as well. I had to try them first before I became a consultant. They are amazing and YES they do last when applied correctly. They are also water tight. Go to my webpage at http://maryg.jamberrynails.net and watch How To Apply. You won't be disappointed and you'll love your nails!

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  14. Anonymous7:31 AM

    I know this blot post is a year old but i'm so glad to see this! I recently ordered some shields and am having similar problems with application. I have long and really curved nail beds (looks similar to yours) and they simply won't lay completely flat. I even had my Jamberry consultant try applying them to my nails and she could come close but still couldn't get some nail shields to lay flat without practically burning my fingers trying to heat the wraps on my nails and smooth out bumps. I can successfully apply these to my daughter's nails which have flatter nail beds and they have excellent staying power for her, so perhaps these just aren't ideal for our nail style. Which is a shame since they come in cute designs, but I have much better luck with nail polish strips from the drug store. Less application time, less hassle, and much cheaper.

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    Replies
    1. I'm glad it wasn't just me. I'm not interested in trying all sorts of methods to get these on my nails when the Sally Hansen nail strips work perfectly for me without any hassle. It's like why bother?

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    2. how long do the sally nail strips last for you?

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    3. how long do the sally strips last for you?

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    4. I usually like to change my nails once a week but sometimes I wear them for two weeks with very minor chipping!

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  15. Application is everything!

    It takes a bit of patience, but I am able to keep mine on for 12-14 days without wear (it is all regrowth, so I change it up).

    1. Nail beds can get oily. This affects application (just like getting gels where they dry out the nail bed). Wash with Dawn soap or something similar. Soaps with oils and butters hinder the application process.

    2. Nails MUST be clean and dry. After thoroughly removing nail polish, be sure to wash hands. Use alcohol wipes too, if needed.

    3. Gently buff nails.

    4. Find a nail wrap size that is right. Many people apply wraps that are too big. If they touch the cuticle/nail bed, they are TOO wide. So many pictures on the internet feature people wearing ill-fitting wraps. This hinders application.

    5. Pressure and heat are important. Unlike Sally Hansen, these are NOT stickers. They are heat activated vinyl adhesive. Use the dryer for 3 to 5 seconds and apply pressure to the nail. Make sure you get a good fit without wrinkles. Smooth it out, press again, heat again. Pay close attention to the tips and around the cuticles.

    I was a Jamberry user for 10 months before I signed up. I never planned to sell them, in fact. I was sent these last fall to review for my blog and fell in love!

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  16. Another thing I found was to trim the nails even on the sides to match my finger nail. i am a perfectionist and it took me an hour and a half to apply my first set the first time i tried because i was so picky. My nails are weird, narrower at the base and wider at the top and so i had to trim mine to fit. I also really forced them under my cuticles to make sure no skin was touching. my biggest complaint is that the tips start to get rough and catch on things. so i find everyday i'm slighting trimming my nail and the wrap to keep up and its annoying. i heated them 2-3 times while applying. any tips?

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  17. When I saw your pictures, at first I thought they were too wide and long. But on a closer look, the sides are not touching so I guess they're not too wide. But at the root they definitely touch the cuticles, and you want to avoid that.

    My suggestion is stay farther away from the root cuticles, and after you heat the wraps, really apply pressure and push forward to smooth them out. It's not uncommon to have a little buckling and wrinkling, but yours is severe and looks like it wasn't heated enough or not enough pressure. The fact that it's perfect on your pinkie meaning it's the application problem. Give it another try and you should be getting better! Good luck!

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  18. Your nails are very curved just like mine! It takes us more time to do them! The right application and watching some troubleshoot videos very readily available on youtube will help with the crinkles!! With curved nails it takes way longer and time to do than just heat and apply, but SO worth it in the end!! Plus cheaper!! Did I mention I own a store where I sand, saw, paint, and gorilla glue all day long? AND they still hold out WAY longer than any other nail application I have tried! And trust me when I say, I have tried every kind of nail sheet out there!! I have spent more money than 1 sheet of Jamberry Nails trying to find the one, because before I became a consultant, I wanted to believe on what I was selling! Don't give up on one application!

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  19. I love the Jams but after four or five applications found that they totally trashed my nails. :( I am more than willing to grow my nails back to healthy and give them another go....... maybe it was me?

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  20. You have to make sure you are following the application process. Washing your hands with dish soap before is the best because it can help remove oils from your nails that can cause the jams to bubble. Also, there are such things as invisible cuticles, that's why we have a cuticle remover pen which works wonders when trying to push back the cuticles. I have a great application video from my Premier Executive and her application process works great and has actually prolonged the life of my jams on my fingers, I'd be happy to share it with you.

    Remember it's actually optimal to have a tiny bit of nail showing on the sides. If your nail wrap is too large and touches the skin on the sides of your nail it won't last as long and will bubble.

    For removsl, using the lacquer remover is the best! You want to break the seal of the nail and gentle work back the wrap with a soaked cotton ball or I like to use a q-tip tip. Removing this way should not damage your nails at all. If there is damage then you havent done something quite right.

    Hope this helps and you continue to use jamberry!

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