imPRESS by Broadway Nails - The easiest 10-minute manicure!

Let's be honest here.  I think we've all arrived at work, looked at our nails, and have thought "Oh god, I hope no one sees these!"...and then we promise ourselves we'll take care of them, but can't seem to find the time and end up at work the next day with the same feeling of I-wish-I-could-wear-gloves-in-the-office embarrassment.   

Every time I get a manicure (which is about 3 times a year), I promise myself that I'll keep up the maintenance and treat my hands to a bi-weekly routine.  Ya, that doesn't happen.  Firstly because it's time consuming, and secondly because it takes a toll on the wallet.  Then I think to myself, No problem!  I'll just do my own nails every Sunday.  Ha!  With all the things I have on the go (I'm sure you can relate), I don't have the time to apply nail polish and wait a torturous hour before I can start using my hands again.  Oftentimes I end up with bare nails, or polish that is smudged, cracked, or chipped because I didn't have the patience to let it dry properly.

I had the bad-bad-nails dilemma on Monday morning:

This is actually not the worst my nails have been, but they certainly bothered me and I was definitely due for some kind of polish removal or switch-up.  BUT, it was 9:15am and I had a meeting at 9:30am.  With 15 minute to kill I gave myself the easiest and cleanest manicure...EVER!

Upon recommendation by my boss, I had a box of Rexall Nail Polish Remover Pads in my drawer.  By chance I also had a set of Broadway Nails imPRESS Press-on Manicure in my bag.  No, I don't carry them around with me everywhere...they were in my bag from the weekend - I intended to put them on while I was staying at my parent's house, but never got around to it...so this was good timing.

I did a quick look-to-the-left and another look-to-the-right, shrugged my shoulders and decided to use the next 15 minutes to switch up my nail polish.  Don't judge - we all know you can't start any real work 15 minutes before a meeting begins, right?

If you can relate to this bad-nail-polish scenario, I recommend keeping a box of these nail polish remover pads close by, even in your desk at work (like me).  They are inexpensive, convenient and work like magic.  They remove the darkest of polishes and the toughest of sparkles in just seconds.  They come in individual packages that are perfect for one-time use - with just one or two wipes on each finger, my gray polish was totally removed (thanks for introducing these to me CC!):

...easy peasy!

Now time for nails.  

NOTE: Before I begin, you need to know that before I tried this product, I've never believed in press-on nails.  I wasn't convinced that they'd stay on longer than a day, and always thought they were for younger girls, not grown women who could manage their own nails.  If you are a skeptic like I was, read on: 

 

The imPRESS Press-On Manicure comes in the cutest packaging - it looks like a real nail polish bottle :)  They have all kinds of shades and designs, my pick was the zebra stripe:  

To open the package, all you have to do is remove the lid and open the box:

 ...and then you match your nails! 

This package comes with 24 individual nails in 12 different sizes - perfect for any nail bed.  Each nail is numbered 1-12, so you match the sizes to your hand and pair them up!  For reference, I believe I used:


#1 for thumbs
#6 for index finger
#3 for middle finger
#5 for ring finger
#10 for pinky finger





When you're done, you're left with  14 individual nails that you can use for another set, or you can mix and match with other polishes or nail sets:

 

The process for applying the nails is simple.  Just wipe your nails with the prep pad, which removes any oils and dirt that may be lying on the surface, then peel the clear tabs off of the nails and press them on.

You only need to hold them down for about 3 seconds before they are ready to wear. 

These nails are formulated with a patented adhesive (no messy glue!) that sticks to your nails but does not do any damage to them - that's what I like to hear :)

This was the end result:

And just like that you have a full set of nails ready to go!  I know the zebra print is not the most professional, but it's the holiday season and I don't have any client-facing engagements this week so it's a perfect time to try something fun :) 

So far, I have completed two full days with these nails on - I've been typing away at work, have been to the gym, and have taken 3 showers and they haven't budged.  The packaging says they last up to a week. 

This is the 2nd pair of imPRESS nails that I've tried - the first one was a lace pattern that lasted 4 days before one nail fell off and by Day 6 I had only lost one other nail.  I'll keep track of how long these babies last, but I really don't doubt the claim. 
 
When you're done with the nails, they peel right off -  no acetone soak required, and no peeling, chipping, or scraping of the nail occurs!

If you're not a fan of the zebra pattern there are 35 different styles (including solid colours) to choose from:

And the added bonus?  Nicole Scherzinger is their spokes model!  Keep your eyes on her nails during X-Factor - she'll likely be sporting one of these styles!

What I love about the imPRESS Press-On Manicure is that it's clean, fast and easy.  I don't have to worry about polish get smudged or chipped and I don't have to wait for them to dry.  Just peel and apply and you're good for up to a week.  I also like that I can wear fun patterns on my nails without having to struggle with my unsteady hand or pay a crazy amount at a nail salon.  I can't tell you how many compliments I've gotten on my nails, both times that I've tried them!  

These are great for the woman-on-the-go.  Someone who wants great nails but doesn't have the time to invest in them (*ahem* the girl who will do her nails between meetings if she can!) .  These are also perfect for a night out or a weekend away - you can put them on with no commitment, just peel them off whenever you are done with them!    

The best part:  they are AFFORDABLE.  The kit will retail for $6.99 (solid colour) and $8.99 (pattern).  That is much cheaper than a professional manicure and you can still get a nice looking set of nails with fun designs!  

Can't wait to get your hands on them? (and vice versa!) The imPRESS Press-On Manicure should be available this month in Wal-Mart and London Drugs Stores across Canada - perfect timing for gift-giving season :)

So what do you think?  Have you tried these nails yet?  If not, would you give them a try?

I, for one, highly recommend them :)

- Anjali

xoxoxo

Disclaimer: This product was provided to me for consideration only. The above post consists of my personal and honest opinions and thoughts on the product.