We hope you love our recommendations! While every product is independently chosen by our editors, BuzzFeed and our publishing partners may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. You can read more about how our affiliate partnerships work in our Editorial Standards & Ethics Guide.

Just stick, file and cure — in that order.

Recently, I came across gel wraps for nails, an at-home manicure solution that claimed to be healthier for your nails and significantly easier to apply compared to traditional gel laquer, yet with all the chip-resistant benefits it had to offer. These wraps, which come in an endless array of colors and designs, both intricate and simple, are made from semi-cured gel (about 60% cured) and apply like a sticker to your natural nail. Then, they are either cured the rest of the way using a UV lamp, though not all brands require this step, and are cut and filed down to perfectly match your existing nail. And just like gel, they promise to last up to two weeks, with no chipping. 

As it turns out, the damage to the nail from gel manicures actually comes from the removal process, rather than the wear or application. Board-certified and New York City-based dermatologist Dr. Michelle Henry tells us that when you peel or force gel polish off either manually or with an e-file at the salon, it can strip layers of the nail plate, leading to thinning, brittleness, and that rigid, rough texture no one likes.

“Overly aggressive buffing at the salon can also weaken the nail by removing too much of the surface to help the gel adhere. On top of that, repeated exposure to acetone during removal can be very drying to both the nail and surrounding skin,” she said. 

There are even some complications that can arise with consistently thin nails. 

“Pterygium inversum unguis (PIU) is when the skin under the nail grows forward and sticks to the underside of the nail instead of separating normally,” said Dr. Kseniya Kobets, board-certified dermatologist and director of cosmetic dermatology at Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care. ”As the nail grows out, this attached skin moves with it, which can make trimming painful and give the nail a ‘stuck’ or overgrown appearance.”

I asked both Kobets and Henry if they considered my newly discovered gel wraps to be any better for nail health, as many brands and reviewers claim.

According to both Kobets and Henry, in theory, yes, since with semi-cured nail stickers, you’re usually avoiding the more damaging parts of traditional gel removal, like soaking in acetone or drilling the product off.

“These stickers tend to be easier to apply and remove at home, and in many cases, using an oil can help break down the adhesive so they slide off more gently,” Henry said. 

There are also several semi-cured strip removers from nail care brands like Ohohra that promise an easy, damage-free removal experience that also adds moisture back into the nail.  

They also caution that, while the risk is relatively low, cumulative UV exposure from curing lamps can affect the skin around the nails over time or cause cancer in rare cases. But if that’s a concern for you, several of the gel nail strips in the upcoming collection don’t even require the use of a UV lamp. Keep reading to shop some of the most popular strip designs and colors. 

The experts consulted for this story do not necessarily endorse the products ahead unless otherwise noted.

The nail care brand, Ohora, is probably one of the most recognizable names in the semi-cured gel strips and has some of the most-rated designs on Amazon. Unlike some of the options on this list, these do require the use of a UV lamp to finish curing after strip application and cutting, and they promise up to two weeks of durable, chip-resistant wear. They are made with a waterproof top gel layer that you can reinforce even further with the brand's glossy gel top coat, and come in a wide selection of fun designs and solid colors like this set of classic, glossy burgundy. You get 30 nail stickers per box. 

If you don't already have a UV lamp at home to use with your semi-cured nail strips, Ohora offers a starter kit that comes with a free-standing lamp, two sheets (30 nails' worth) of nail design stickers and some prep pads and a cuticle stick. This particular set features a muted jade design with solids and marbled stickers that have a touch of sparkle. If you don't like these particular nails, you can get the starter kit in several other nail design options, like neutral cream or solid indigo. 

These Dashing Diva semi-cured gel wraps come with 32 stickers and cure under any LED lamp. They feature the brand's "glaze" top coat and a forever classic French manicure design that can fit any nail shape seamlessly, whether you have oval, square or almond-shaped nails, thanks to their gently tapered edges. Lasting up to two weeks, you can also find these strips in several other designs, like a sheer ombre purple glitter, glazed pastel and a colorful modern swirl design with glitter. 

Hayhae is another nail care brand with tons of semi-cured gel strip offerings, but its wrap formula doesn't require the use of an LED lamp — instead, you use the sun! According to the brand, you only need to warm the gel stickers in your hand before applying them to your prepped natural nail, then let them bask in sunshine (UV Index 3+) for a few minutes. If it's not nice weather, you can pop them under an UV light for just five seconds and that'll do the trick. 

This particular set is a spring-perfect pastel with a sheer, jelly finish delicately marbled with softly sparkling glitter. You get 28 strips. 

If you've always loved the jelly nail trend, this juicy set from Ohora is the perfect option, featuring a semi-sheer rose hue that transitions down to clear at the cuticle. You get 30 strips and like all Ohora designs, they require a UV lamp to properly cure.

Achieving detailed nail designs at home is possible with this sweet floral set by Heyhae that features solid butter yellow nails and delicate yellow flowers on a clear base. You get the Heyhae standard 28 strips (enough to have two accent nails with each set) and you can cure these in the sunlight or under a UV lamp.

There's no greater necessary polish color to have in your repertoire than a timeless blue-undertoned cherry red — and Ohora is here to provide. You get 30 strips of the brand's reliable no-chip gel formula that cures in just a few minutes under a UV light. 

These Beaolata pre-cured nail strips may be lesser known, but they currently have 4.8 stars on Amazon and claim to give you salon-perfect gel nails with a UV lamp. You get 44 pre-cured nail strips and "the flexible gel formula ensures the strips stretch to fit your nail curve seamlessly," according to the brand. They come in several designs, like a peachy ombre and sheer pink with glitter detailing. 

These gel polish strips are also by Beaolata and come with an equally impressive Amazon rating. This 32-piece UV-free set features a deep plum glitter design, though you can also shop them in tons of other options, like solid baby pink, wine red and vibrant teal. 

Also from Ohora is this set that has a glossy finish and a vibrant, deep navy blue color. And like all Ohora nail designs, reviewers claim these semi-cured gel strips were incredibly easy to apply and gave them "clean, neat, and professional" looking nails that lasted a long time. 

The semi-cured gel magic doesn't just apply to fingernails — you can have it for your toes too! Ohora has an extensive selection of gel strips for your feet that apply and cure the same way. Like this marbled amber set with glitter detailing, pearly pink or a classic cherry red.