Matching your nail color to every outfit shouldn’t require a chemistry degree or weekly salon appointments, yet here we are. Enter iPolish, the startup that just dropped color-changing press-on smart nails at CES 2026, turning that iconic Total Recall scene into something you can actually buy. Their electrochemical wizardry lets you switch between 400+ shades in five seconds per nail—no chips, no dry time, no regrets about that neon green phase.
How Electrified Nails Actually Work
Tap your phone, zap your nails, transform your look instantly.
The magic happens through patented electrophoretic nanopolymers embedded in acrylic press-ons. A rechargeable wand delivers a brief electric charge that shifts the nail color electrochemically, controlled through iOS or Android apps. Think e-ink displays, but for your fingertips.
The company spent over a decade developing this tech, accumulating 23 patents since forming in 2023. Your manicure becomes as customizable as your phone’s wallpaper, cycling through hundreds of shades without the mess of traditional polish.
The $95 Investment Breakdown
Two nail sets, endless possibilities, but replacement costs add up.
The starter kit includes:
- Two full sets—Ballerina short cut and Squoval longer style
- Charging wand
- App integration
All for $95. You cannot reshape these nails without damaging the embedded hardware, so choose your preferred length wisely.
Individual replacements cost $6.50 each, which beats weekly salon visits but adds up if you’re prone to breaking nails during enthusiastic gesturing. The math works for anyone spending $40+ monthly on manicures.
Reality Check Before You Preorder
June 2026 shipping means this tech remains unproven in daily wear.
Preorders launched this week, but actual shipping doesn’t start until June 2026. That’s six months to wonder whether these nails survive your morning coffee routine or weekend adventures. The seven-person team promises expansion into other color-changing makeup, but durability questions linger.
App dependency also means dead phone batteries could leave you stuck with Wednesday’s burgundy on Friday night.
For beauty tech early adopters tired of commitment-heavy manicures, iPolish offers genuine innovation wrapped in practical convenience. Just remember: revolutionary claims require real-world testing, and that testing starts this summer.
