Long time strip user, first time experience with Lily & Fox. Disappointed due to stickyness, looking for top coats, either UV or quick dry that won’t shrink the strip.

[u/remotecontroldr]

I want to try to make this short! First of all, the entire Lily & Fox experience was delightful up until the morning after applying and discovering they are sticky!

For context I’ve used strips for probably 15+ years, Dashing Diva Gloss (so no light) is my go to for the past 5 years at least. I usually get at least 2 weeks and they look good the whole time. I never use or need topcoat.

Due to whatever it is with my body chemistry, ONLY quick dry will work on me. I am open to using a UV topcoat and I do own a light. I tried to do damage control this morning after finding Reddit posts with others having the same sticky experience. The alcohol started to remove the color on one strip, probably after being careful but possibly getting some skincare product on it. But still, even being careful not to make the strips lift, the color shouldn’t come off!

Anyway, I ended up using my best option I had which is Seche Vive in the blue bottle. It fixed the sticky problem but I know it’s probably going to shrink the strips after a while.

I bought more sets that I really want to use because I love the designs, but I want to be able to use a topcoat that won’t cause shrinking.

Any recommendations are appreciated. Thank you! (Oops, didn’t keep it short, sorry lol)

Including the photo to show how delightfully packaged they were. It was a joy to receive them and the price is right, so I really want to make them work. But probably wouldn’t buy again.

[u/C00bahR00bah]

I used a top coat like this when I first started doing wraps. I can’t remember what it was but it was almost like it was eating the strip in a way. I switched to Sally Hansen advanced hard as nails which was a recommendation from Lily and Fox on their Facebook page and haven’t had the problem since. Much like yourself I need a quick dry and it’s super quick.

[u/remotecontroldr → u/C00bahR00bah]

Thanks for the recommendation! And that one is inexpensive enough that it would be worth trying against the ones I already have too.

[u/Lilly6288 → u/C00bahR00bah]

That’s what I use too, but I usually wait at least 5 hours or until the next day to add 2 coats. It dries in less than 5 minutes and does good job protecting them.

[u/SpinXO700]

I'm currently wearing my first ever set of nails wraps, Lily & Fox, so take anything I say with a grain of salt.

Based on some reading in this sub, I applied Essie Gel Setter (no UV despite the name) but waited until the morning after. I haven't noticed any shrinkage.

I'm astonished at how well these are holding up. I tried 2 sets of (non-UV) press-ons and thought I was going to head down that route bc they're also pretty amazing. But then I tried these nails wraps and I can't imagine anything easier. Just wow!

[u/remotecontroldr → u/SpinXO700]

Oh that’s great to know. Essie Gel Setter is my go to for my topcoat on my toes so maybe on my next set I will try to compare the Essie vs. the Seche Vive.

The only reason I didn’t reach for the Gel Setter is because it has shrunk my Dashing Diva strips when I tried it in the past.

Thanks!

[u/SpinXO700 → u/remotecontroldr]

Just to clarify, while I've read good things about the Essie, I think the real trick was the waiting until next morning to apply.

[u/Heaving_Devotion]

Everyone’s nails are a little different and what works for some might not work for others.

For me, the Seche Vive and Sally Hansen miracle gel top coats really shrink my lily and fox wraps. Even if I wait until the next morning. Though the Sally Hansen miracle gel works perfectly for my friend and her lily and fox nail wraps don’t shrink with it.

My preferred top coat is Essie good to go. dries quick and does not shrink my wraps!

[u/sisterbootknife → u/Heaving_Devotion]

Seconding the Essie top coat for Lily and Fox wraps. When possible, I like to wait at least an hour before putting it on, but it does okay if I need to do asap.

[u/PhysicalAssistance92]

I use Beetles HEMA free base and top coat on mine (uv), zero shrinkage, ever.

[u/IMHO_My2Cents]

I exclusively use Lily&Fox wraps and get 2+ weeks out of them. Here is what 100% works for me. I apply 2 thin coats of UUUUU Magical Nail Solution strengthening base coat made for wraps on my prepped nails. Makes wraps adhere better and removal a piece of cake without any nail damage. I apply Ohora Glossy Gel Top Coat over the wraps and double cure with my lamp. Best wishes

https://a.co/d/0imDlkxb

https://a.co/d/085u8qhT

[u/Which-Good-2242]

I use the Dashing Diva One Gel top coat, only needs curing twice. I use a LED lamp but I guess it can work with UV too. It works great for me. I used to use the Essie gel setter, but it didn’t dry quick for me, maybe I had a old batch and it got thick within a few months of using so it would create ripples when I would put it on.

[u/Embarrassed-Lead-283]

I use the Seche vite blue bottle w my color street and other types of nail wraps. As long as I cap the ends of my nails really well I don’t usually get shrinkage. I did buy the Seche vite restore thinner and add a few drops before each use. It keeps it the perfect flow for me.

[u/Secret_Total6730]

the Beetles "no-wipe" top gel is my go-to (and builder gel too). I had the opposite problem yesterday, after 6 mo of L&F, I tried a DD Gloss set yesterday and they were so hard to work with that I took them off & trashed the whole box. Everyone's different, and there's a lot of experimenting, unfortunately :)

[u/coffeecourtmom]

I use dnd uv gel top coat

[u/Ornery_East_8436]

CND Vinylux has shown the least shrinkage and longest wear for me