The moment the complete set of essie's brand new Sleek Sticks arrived at my apartment, I knew that So Haute! was going to be my NYFW look. It's beautiful, intricate, but not too fussy. In truth, the Sleek Sticks have the best designs out of all the strip products (in my opinion) and have a wonderful texture that creates a 3D effect just like real nail art.
So Haute! is a beautiful design featuring a vibrant red base with gold studding in perfect symmetrical horizontal lines. I must note that you should be very careful when applying this design, since the horizontal lines can call attention to any twisting or oddities in the shape of your nail bed, especially if you're super picky. My favorite part of these strips is that they don't require a nail polish remover to remove - you can simply pull them off and throw them away without damage. This set lasted me a full 8 days and were still in fine condition when I pulled them off this past Wednesday.
When compared to the rest of the strip products on the market, essie's Sleek Sticks are definitely what I would consider a luxury product, even though the price point, at around $10 per set, is in the mid-range of the market. Much like Sally Hansens's Salon Effects, Sleek Sticks are made from real nail polish, but unlike Salon Effects, they do not require the use of a remover.
Since the Sally Hanson at home gel kits have come into my life, I've topped all strips with a double cured coat of clear gel to prolong their wear. I must say that I feel that this is vital to extending the life of the Sleek Sticks. Because of the intricate and 3D nature of the designs, the Sleek Sticks tend to be much thicker than similar products on the market. If you're a picker (and I totally am), it can lead to the edges peeling up after a few days of wear. A clear topcoat is also another great alternative.
Have you tried the Sleek Sticks yet? What has been your experience?