How To Make Press On Nails Look Good

If you lot love having your nails washed but can't e'er head to the salon, it'south time to put press-on nails on your radar. While these might seem like relics of the past, the inexpensive press-on nails you remember from babyhood have gotten a rather luxe update for modernistic-24-hour interval habiliment.

Whether y'all desire to vesture your nails long or short, polished to perfection or accentuated with gems, there'south a press-on nail kit for that. Since it may have been quite some fourth dimension since you last ventured the world of press-ons, ahead you lot'll rediscover what they are, how they work, and how to ensure they look their best for as long as possible. Happy DIY-ing!

Meet the Expert

Braelinn Frank is an Austin-based smash artist and the founder of honey press-on brand Rave Nailz.

What Are Press-On Nails?

While this largely depends on the brand you lot choose to motion forward with, Frank says that many press-on nails are acrylic resin false nails that can be applied in minutes, only have a near-perfect resemblance to a salon-quality acrylic mani.

Beyond their loftier-quality appearance (so long as you use quality printing-ons, that is), they come in a diversity of shapes, styles, and colors, not to mention a range of budgets. Where some press-on nails can be snagged for just a few bucks, others—like Rave Nailz, which are congenital to last and made with rails-quality nail fine art in mind—ring up for every bit much as $25 a pair.

How Do Printing-On Nails Work?

Press-on nails typically come in a kit that includes the nails, a cuticle-pusher, a file, and nail glue. The nails themselves are normally divided into a 5-compartment container with multiple sizes for each nail so that you have a good hazard of finding a press-on that perfectly matches your nail shape. And, if they're a chip off, that's where the file comes into play.

Once y'all select your press-ons, y'all glue them on. Information technology's as elementary equally that. (But, if you lot're fretting over the process, no worries! We take you through a full run-downwards of how to apply press-on nails at the cease of this commodity.)

How Long Do They Concluding?

Over again, this comes down to the quality of press-ons y'all purchase, but Frank says that a good application can last up to two weeks with proper care. "If the nails themselves are durable, you can reuse them too," she says. "My rule of thumb is: More glue equals longer wear. The cool part most press-ons is that you really can wear them for very curt periods of fourth dimension too!" Merely look at Beyonce's 2018 Coachella performance. "There'south no salon backstage," Frank says. "She just switched out her press-ons!" So, whether you want flashy nails simply for the weekend or you're hoping for a longer-lasting mani, printing-ons might just be the respond to your prayers, peculiarly those that come up with agglutinative tabs (which you should use if you lot desire to swap out immediately like Beyoncé).

Are Printing-On Nails Safe For Your Natural Nails?

Thank your lucky stars because press-on nails are one of the safest options for extensions in the volume.

"Compared to the alternative, acrylic extensions, press-ons are a lot safer," Frank emphasizes. "Damage to your nails comes in the grade of erosive substances like acetone and in order to remove acrylic extensions, you lot have to soak your nails for at to the lowest degree xv minutes—your nail beds are crying!" Plus, she points out that in lodge for the acrylic polymer to stick, technicians have to buff your natural nail, making information technology paper-thin, which, equally you can imagine, isn't exactly proficient for your nails.

Static press-on nails don't require any excessive buffing or soaking. "To remove [static] press-ons, all you need to practice is soak in warm soapy water for 15 minutes until they loosen naturally—no chemicals needed," Frank exclaims. However, other brands do require you to soak them off, but for a shorter period of fourth dimension, at which point they should loosen up quickly. For nail adhesive tabs, you can take a small corporeality of boom polish remover around the edges of the printing-on and slowly lift it off, co-ordinate to manicurist and Byrdie Advisory Board member Evelyn Lim.

How to Apply Printing-On Nails

1. Prune your nails. "For the longest-lasting press on mani, clip your natural nails short," Frank starts.

2. Clean your nails. Frank says to remove all smooth and clean your nails well with soap and h2o to ensure a clean base for your printing-on mani."If you lot take it on hand, clean them with rubbing alcohol using a cotton brawl too," she says. From there, dry out your nails completely and move to the adjacent step.

3. Pick out your boom sizes. Frank says choosing your nail sizes before you start applying them is a must so that you aren't trying to find your size with wet glue on your hands. "For an even more perfect match, file the sides of the printing-on nail to fit your smash beds," she says.

iv. Apply one nail at a time. "One finger at a time, cover your whole nail with glue, so marshal the press-on with your smash bed and printing down firmly for 20 seconds," Frank instructs. "Relish your mani for up to two weeks!"

five. Optional: Paint your nails. If you opted for clear printing-ons (as opposed to pre-painted ones), you can paint them to your liking one time the glue is dry. Don't forget topcoat and then that your smooth lasts as long as your press-ons.

5 Ways to Brand Your Printing-On Nails Final Longer

Make certain your nails are totally clean before applying your press-ons so that dirt, oil, or other droppings doesn't foreclose the gum from fully adhering the press-on to your real nail.
Employ your mucilage with how long y'all want your press-on nails to last. If you're hoping to switch upward your nail look just for the weekend, Frank says to but use a couple of drops of glue; if you want your press-ons to last for a week or more, cover your entire nail in mucilage.
Opt for shorter nails. As fun as long coffin, stiletto, and almond-shaped nails are, the longer the length, the more than probable they'll be to snag on something and accidentally pop off.

Consider using a different mucilage than the 1 that comes in your kit. Some of the acme-reviewed smash glues include Kiss PowerFlex Max Speed Gum ($3) and Mia Undercover Nail Gum ($9).
Skip baths or just remember not to submerge your nails underwater. Since press-ons are designed to come up off with merely lather and water, letting them sit under soapy suds for long periods can shorten their wear.

The All-time Printing-On Nails to Effort

Rave Nailz Fluffy Cloud Nailz $25.00

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Press-on nails are peculiarly great for weekends where you lot're looking to drastically switch-up your manicure without it affecting your mean solar day-to-day look. That's why nosotros dearest these fluffy cloud nails. While we might not wear them every day of the week, they'd be a fun addition to any festival 'fit.

Static Nails Cristal Almond $25.00

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If you lot love an almond-shaped nail look, yous'll swoon over these minimalist nude nails. They feature embellished argument nails that are dotted with real Swarovski crystals for a slightly elevated, glam finish look.

print Popular Star 2 Press-On Manicure $viii.00

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ICYMI: French manicures are back in a big way. With this easy-to-use prepare, you can achieve the archetype pattern with a hint of glitter and glam.

Dashing Diva Pies Served Daily Magic Press On $9.00

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Some press-on blast kits come with a variety of colors so that you're able to arrive on the gradient boom trend. This Dashing Diva set features a mix of pinkish press-on nails so that y'all can play with how you lot want to shift your gradient.

Buss Total-Cover Oval Nails $5.00

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If you're looking for length but still desire to paint your own nails, consider this acknowledged 100-count press-on smash set. It comes with a multifariousness of press-on oval nails so that you tin practice your own nails over and over again.