Whether you’re a devoted gel mani-wearer or a do-it-yourself polisher, expressive nails are a natural accessory to your style. When I have a fresh mani and pedi, I feel like I can take on the world. Plus, since nail color is a only a one or two week commitment, it’s the perfect outlet to experiment with trends.

Enter the latest of nail decorating-trends…nail wraps. More like stickers than polish, wraps are easy to apply and offer intricate designs that even the most talented polish-artist could never create. Leopard print? Houndstooth? Polka dots? All at your fingertips. Literally.

I was recently introduced to ncLA Nail Wraps and was such a fan that I wanted to spread the word. As someone who’s a challenged self-painter, the sticker application was fairly easy and left both of my hands looking flaunt-able. Plus, ncLA has designer-inspired patterns (Missoni, anyone?) that give you a truly chic look.

Step 1 – Prep:

I’m a firm believer that the trimming and filing are just as important as the color application, so that’s always the starting point. Starting with clean, naked nails, soak both hands in luke-warm water for a few minutes, then massage a tiny bit of oil or lotion into the nailbeds. Gently push back your cuticles with the tool and trim the excess skin with cuticle nippers. Cut your nails to the desired length then file to shape and smooth them out. Wash your hands with soap to remove the oil/lotion so the wraps can stick.

Step 2 – Wrap:

To apply the wraps, start with a clear coat of polish. Find the best size for each nail and smooth it on starting at the cuticle. I found I had to stretch the sides a bit to completely cover my nails, but once you get the hang of it, you can move pretty quickly. To remove the extra length, you simply file in a downwards motion and it comes right off. Once you’ve applied them all, seal with another clear coat and you’re good to go! The only dry-time is for the top coat…so fetch.

Step 3 – Flaunt: