The Lazy Belle: Sula Paint & Peel

Peel-off polish makes summer manis and pedis easy—and more fun

By Jill Russell
Published: May 28th, 2010 | 12:00am

One of my finest childhood memories involves Tinkerbell Bo-Po Nail Polish; “Bo-Po” meaning brush-on, peel-off. It was a gluey pink shade that came off in perfect little strips. Removing it was so satisfying, not unlike pulling dried Elmer’s from your palm, that I often applied it just so I could revel in the process of taking it off.

Twenty-some years later, I happily discovered Sula’s Paint & Peel line, which launched last year in four original shades. Now there are 20+ colors to choose from, ranging from the classic cherry-hued Crimson Red (my favorite) to the daring Haze, a strange and smoky mint green.

Like my beloved Bo-Po, it comes right off sans stinky remover. It’s an appealing product for lazy types, yes. But Paint & Peel is also the perfect polish for sensitive girls. There’s no need for toxic remover, and the polishes themselves are water-based, meaning they lack the typical offensive nail lacquer stench. Further, those with beauty-attention-deficit-disorder will also appreciate how easy Paint & Peel makes it to change up the shade.

The only caveat is that it takes a little practice to get a streak-free application. Try two careful coats for an even, opaque finish. The company also warns that one, topcoat and basecoat can hinder the peel-ability; and two, that Paint & Peel on its own won’t last as long as conventional polish (Sula sells its own compatible topcoat). I beg to differ. I use my own topcoat and basecoat from Priti with my Sula, and my manicure lasts up to a week without chipping before I gleefully pull it off.

Buy it at here and in select Anthropologie stores