You’ll never fuss with nail polish again.
We don’t have to tell you that a polished, chip-free set of nails can instantly lift your whole mood. Just because you can’t get to your nail artist at the moment doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice a flawless mani—or even attempt to paint your own nails. Press-on nails can expertly take the place of a fresh coat of polish, and they’re easier to glue-on than you might think. Now let take a few minutes to find out the dos and don’ts of applying press-on nails like a professional.
SIZE MATTERS
Not every nail in your kit is the same size. To ensure you’ve chosen the right nail, check the number on the back of the press-on; zero is the largest for your thumb and 11 is the smallest for your pinky finger. But size isn’t the only aspect to consider. When choosing a press-on, select a style that fits into your everyday lifestyle. Factor in shape, length, and nail designs. If you’re between sizes, Doing smaller is recommended so the press-on doesn’t overlap on your skin.
CLEANSE FIRST
Just like a classic manicure, prep is a critical step, starting with a thorough cleaning. After pushing back your cuticles to remove excess skin, cleanse the nail with an alcohol prep pad to ensure there are no oils or dirt on your hands. This prep helps the press-ons better adhere to your nails. Press-on kits often include a pad. You can also press a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol onto your nails. This crucial step will also help to remove any existing polish.
REACH FOR GLUE
If you’re opting for press-ons as a temporary fix, use the sticky tape that comes in the set. To prolong your nails—which typically last five to 10 days—add a touch of glue. Depending on your nail beds and lifestyle, you can sometimes stretch press-ons past 10 days.
APPLY AT AN ANGLE
When applying press-ons, bring the nail right up to your cuticle line and apply at a downward angle. Follow by applying pressure to the center of the nail and pinching at both sides to solidify the adhesive or glue.
FILE LAST
While it may be tempting to file the press-on as soon as it hits your natural nail, wait until after you’ve applied the entire set to shape. Always contour the nails from the sidewalls to taper them for an even more natural look. Remember, everyone’s nail beds are different and contouring is key for super natural-looking nails.
How to Remove a Gel Mani at Home
REMOVE WITH EASE
Removing press-on nails is fairly easy to do. If you are applying a press-on with self-adhesive, it can simply be removed with warm water and a little oil. If you opted for glue, the removal process changes, but is still straightforward. Place an acetone-based remover in a small ceramic or glass dish and soak your nails for 10 minutes, or use a glue remover.
KEEP OR TOSS
While some nails are single-use, there are a slew of press-ons that can be reused. If you’re in the market for a reusable set, it can easily be popped off and stored away for next use.
Post time: Jan-13-2023