"Don't Sleep on Press-On Nails! They're Easy and Damage-Free"
Treat Yourself!
If you live a Stay Ready Lifestyle or simply love having your nails done but can't always head to the salon, it's time to try press-on nails. While these might seem like a thing of the past, the cheap press-on nails you remember from childhood have gotten a rather sophisticated update for modern-day wear. Beyond their high-quality appearance (so long as you use quality press-ons, that is), they come in a variety 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, which are built to last and made with runway-quality nail art in mind—ring up for as much as $25 a pair. Nevertheless, we'll show you how to apply press on nails like a pro!
What Are Press-On Nails?
While this largely depends on the brand you choose to move forward with, many press-on nails are acrylic resin false nails that can be applied in minutes with a few drops of glue but have a near-perfect resemblance to a salon-quality acrylic manicure at home. Whether polished to perfection or accentuated with gems, long or short, there's a press-on nail kit for that, and some kits include the nails, a cuticle-pusher, a file, and nail glue. The nails are usually divided into a five-compartment container with multiple sizes for each nail so that you have a good chance of finding a press-on that perfectly matches your nail shape. Some kits have enough nails for two full sets.
How to apply the nails
Let's start with clean hands of course. Use a wooden cuticle stick to gently push back your cuticles. Then lightly buff the oils or shine off of your nail beds with a buffer. Use rubbing alcohol or acetone based nail polish remover, to clean the nail and remove any dust or oils. This step is very important as it is the key to lasting adhesion.
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Now, we do sizing. Place the press on nail over your real nails to see which one is the closest to the same size as your nail bed. If you see your real nail on the sides, that nail is too small, if the press on extends past your nail onto your skin, then that nail is too big. And if they’re a bit off like this, no issue, that’s where the file comes into play. You can gently file down the sides to fit your nail bed. Some press one nail sets have numbers on the underside of the nail. Match those numbers for both hands to ensure same nail size for both. Lay them out next to each other lined up in two rows, one row for each hand.
Once your nails are prepped, and you've selected your press-ons sizes, you glue them on. It’s as simple as that.
Applying glue for lasting adhesion
How long they last comes down to the quality of press-ons you purchase, but a good glue application can last up to two weeks with proper care. Just like salon acrylics before they need to be filled. To apply the glue, add a drop or two to the inside of a acrylic nail, (usually start with my pinky) then quickly add a drop to the natural nail bed and spread across the entire nail bed. Now take the press on nail and apply to nail bed starting near the cuticle, as close as possible ( do not put under cuticle as this will hurt later). Hold in place for 10 secs. This is another important step to long lasting adhesion. When applying glue to both nail surfaces when the glue comes in contact with itself, it sticks better and stronger than if it was just sticking to the nail surface alone.
And there you have it a full set of acrylic nails that will last you at least two weeks.
And in case you’re wondering, press-on nails are one of the safest options for extensions in the book, as they don’t require any excessive buffing or soaking.
Enjoy salon manicured nails at home!