Lifestyle Mirror

NCLA’s nail wraps are not for the subtle manicurist; their bright colors and eye-catching designs add serious sass to your tips. The Hi-Fi Stereo pattern is no exception, and my geometric, mauve-splashed fingers drew enough attention to spark a debate about the decade that best suits them. While the wraps belong to NCLA’s “Summer of ’69” collection, looking at my hands gives me a hankering for a Slurpee and a Weezer track. Not that it matters, because whether they salute Jim Morrison or Zach Morris, I can’t help but love these nails.

Application of the NCLA wraps requires a bit more diligence than that of other wraps I’ve tried, but the pack’s double serving allows for a little trial-and-error (or more than one use if you get it right the first time). Start with clean nails and a coat of clear polish and then find the right size wrap for your nail. Heat is not required to apply the product, but a quick blast helped seal the wrap against the nail. An emery board is included in the package, and downward strokes make quick work of removing the excess sticker. Apply another coat of clear polish on top of the wrap for shine, paying special attention to the tips to prevent peeling.

If you can’t commit to the time it takes to apply a full set of wraps (about 45 minutes in my case), consider using a wrap to create an accent nail to one of NCLA’s coordinating colors. —Laura Carroll