I'll start by saying my natural nails are a shocker. . So I was intrigued to see if this was really the quick fix solution that was promised.
I chose Belle which is a natural pinky brown. The colour was pretty accurate to the website.
The pack comes with the glue, nail file and 24 nails of various sizes. The instructions were really good on the pack and we were sent a link to the application video as well.
So essentially you match up the size nails with your own for both hands to start and then glue them on.
I got a really good match for all fingers and application was super easy. The style i'd chosen was oval and not super long so filing them down to a useable length for me easy.
Overall I loved the look of the finished product. They looked really natural and like i'd been to a salon.
How long did they last? Well to be fair I didn't restrict my movements at all. I go to the gym and lift weights 4 times a week and have a large boisterous dog who gets walked twice a day so they were put under a fair bit of pressure.
I lost a couple within the first few days (which I easily glued back on) and then the balance stayed on for about 4-5 days which I thought was pretty good, and best of all they didn't damage my real nails at all.
You could wear them every day every week, it would be easy enough. I probably won't but I will absolutely repurchase for an even or a big night out.
I only had one small gripe and that was I thought the packaging was a bit excessive, 2 plastic boxes in another box which I thought was a little unnecessary but that was the only thing.
If you're a woman of age, I dare you to try and get through reading about these nails without humming Penny Lane.
If I'm going to an event, or a special occasion I always have my nails done at the salon. You know, gel nails, usually with a french tip, because I become overwhelmed choosing a design on the spot. I was really excited about this trial, but also a bit worried, mostly because, my nails are odd.
My drunk party trick is slamming my fingers in doors. Not on purpose you understand, but nonetheless its what I'm known for. Toilet doors, taxi doors, electronic gates. The result has been uneven nail beds - some are pretty much flat, with no natural curve. So I was a bit worried 'full' fake nails wouldn't fit properly (as opposed to just tips, and the bed being built up with gel like at the salon)
Anyhoo. The super fun part of this trial was selecting our design. I spent like an hour on the Teddy Lane website. Making a list. An actual handwritten list y'all, of my choices. I really like that it clearly shows the length and shape you're choosing. I choose a medium length, almond shape design called Catwalk.
Here lies the biggest negative of the trial.
Its actually difficult being sure of the design you're choosing. The live action photos compared to the 'stock' photos show very different shades and its hard to gauge the finish of the nails. Going by the photos I thought Catwalk was a pinky-gold glitter. Its actually a rose gold embossed foil. Nice, but not what I thought. And if I'm paying $29 on press ons, I want to know what I'm getting. So my feedback here is to add a text description of the designs too.
On to the actual nails - beautifully packaged, with very detailed instructions. I found matching sizes really easy, and actually had enough of a mix left over that my sister got a set out of it too!
I chose to go for the 10 day wear. Gluing them on is a bit of a 'leap' moment. You line it up, say a fleeting prayer to Manicurus, the God of Nails and go for it.
The length and shape I chose were perfect for me - a bit of a statement without erring into Ru Paul territory. My flat nails weren't an issue at all, the nails pressed on evenly and relatively straight, and really did look natural. Particularly around the cuticle area.
I work in admin and these held up remarkably well given the aggressive typing of my email replies and changing many a nappy at home. I wore gloves when washing up and I even did a bit of weeding (with gloves) too.
[review continued in Tips section]
Tips: The foil design started to wear on day 5, and by day 8 was looking past the point of acceptable out-of-the-house nails. But the glue was still super tight, so rather than try and ping them off, I waited for the glue to loosen before wiggling them off.
The price is fair for the quality of nails. Potentially a bit pricey for the press-on concept, but then again a lot less dollar than a salon gel job and it wreaked less havoc on my nails, than the aftermath of gel. So...yeah, I'd try a different design at this price for sure. In fact I've only marked this down on 'would I use it again?' because I wouldn't go for Catwalk again (on account of it being foil, not glitter like the images look).
Looking at my boring, wonky natural nails, I cast my mind back over my 10 days of Teddy Lane and the background music to my reverie fades in. ...'Teddy Lane was on my nails and on my hands'...and by golly gosh, did Teddy Lane look good there.