A nasal strip is simple to use, but a few small details decide whether it grips all day or peels off in an hour. Here's exactly how to apply one, where to place it, and how to get the most wear out of every strip.
Before you start: clean, dry skin
This is the step most people skip. Adhesive doesn't stick to oil, sweat, moisturiser, or makeup. Wash the bridge of your nose with soap and water, then dry it completely. Skip face oils and heavy creams on your nose before applying.
Step by step
- Peel the backing. Remove the liner from the adhesive side, handling the strip by its ends.
- Find the spot. Center the strip across the bridge of your nose, just above where your nostrils flare out — not down on the soft tip, and not up between your eyes. This is where the lift opens your nasal passages.
- Press and hold. Smooth it down from the center outward, then press the ends firmly for about 10 seconds so the whole strip bonds to your skin.
- Let it settle. You'll feel a gentle pull — that's the strip holding your nasal passages open. Give it a minute and it disappears into the background.
Make it last
- Apply to skin that's fully dry — the number-one cause of early peeling.
- Press the ends down well; the edges lift first if they're not bonded.
- For sweaty workouts or humid nights, choose an extra-hold strip like Otterly Olly, built with sweat-proof adhesive.
- Use one strip per wear — the adhesive performs best on the first apply and isn't designed to be reused.
How to remove it
Don't rip it off dry. Wash your face with warm water to loosen the adhesive, then peel each end gently toward the center. Warm water and a slow peel keep it comfortable, even on sensitive skin.
How long does it last?
One strip is good for a full day or night of wear — up to around 12 hours. Placed right, on clean dry skin, a gee. strip stays put from your first meeting to your last set. Ready to breathe easier? Meet Cool Blues and Otterly Olly and join the waitlist for the next design drop.