How To Make Press On Nails Look Real

If you dearest having your nails done but tin't e'er head to the salon, it's time to put press-on nails on your radar. While these might seem like relics of the past, the cheap press-on nails yous call up from babyhood have gotten a rather luxe update for modern-mean solar day habiliment.

Whether you desire to wear your nails long or curt, polished to perfection or accentuated with gems, at that place's a press-on boom kit for that. Since it may have been quite some time since you last ventured the globe of printing-ons, ahead yous'll rediscover what they are, how they piece of work, and how to ensure they expect their all-time for as long as possible. Happy DIY-ing!

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Braelinn Frank is an Austin-based blast creative person and the founder of honey press-on brand Rave Nailz.

What Are Press-On Nails?

While this largely depends on the brand you choose to move forward with, Frank says that many printing-on nails are acrylic resin false nails that can be applied in minutes, merely have a well-nigh-perfect resemblance to a salon-quality acrylic mani.

Across their loftier-quality advent (then long as you use quality press-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 tin can be snagged for only a few bucks, others—like Rave Nails which are built to last and made with runway-quality nail fine art in heed—ring up for every bit much as $25 a pair.

How Do Press-On Nails Work?

Press-on nails typically come in a kit that includes the nails, a cuticle-pusher, a file, and nail gum. The nails themselves are ordinarily divided into a five-compartment container with multiple sizes for each boom so that you lot take a expert risk of finding a press-on that perfectly matches your boom shape. And, if they're a fleck off, that's where the file comes into play.

Once yous select your press-ons, y'all glue them on. It'due south as simple as that. (Only, if yous're fretting over the process, no worries! We take you through a full run-down of how to use press-on nails at the end of this commodity.)

How Long Practise They Last?

Again, this comes down to the quality of press-ons you purchase, but Frank says that a good application can terminal up to 2 weeks with proper care. "If the nails themselves are durable, you tin reuse them too," she says. "My rule of pollex is: More gum equals longer wear. The absurd part nearly press-ons is that you actually tin can wearable them for very short periods of time too!" Just wait at Beyonce's 2018 Coachella performance. "In that location's no salon backstage," Frank says. "She just switched out her press-ons!" So, whether y'all want flashy nails merely for the weekend or you're hoping for a longer-lasting mani, press-ons might simply exist the answer to your prayers, especially those that come up with adhesive tabs (which you should use if you want to bandy out immediately like Beyoncé).

Are Press-On Nails Safety For Your Natural Nails?

Give thanks your lucky stars considering press-on nails are i 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 least 15 minutes—your smash beds are crying!" Plus, she points out that in lodge for the acrylic polymer to stick, technicians have to buff your natural smash, making it cardboard, which, every bit you tin imagine, isn't exactly good for your nails.

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

How to Utilize Press-On Nails

1. Clip your nails. "For the longest-lasting press on mani, prune your natural nails curt," Frank starts.

2. Clean your nails. Frank says to remove all polish and clean your nails well with lather and water to ensure a clean base for your press-on mani."If you have information technology on hand, clean them with rubbing booze using a cotton wool ball as well," she says. From there, dry your nails completely and move to the next step.

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

iv. Apply 1 nail at a time. "One finger at a time, cover your whole nail with glue, then align the press-on with your nail bed and press downward firmly for twenty seconds," Frank instructs. "Enjoy your mani for up to two weeks!"

5. Optional: Paint your nails. If you opted for clear press-ons (equally opposed to pre-painted ones), you can paint them to your liking once the glue is dry. Don't forget topcoat so that your polish lasts as long every bit your press-ons.

five Means to Make Your Press-On Nails Last Longer

Brand certain your nails are totally clean before applying your press-ons and then that dirt, oil, or other debris doesn't forestall the glue from fully adhering the press-on to your real nail.
Apply your glue with how long you desire your press-on nails to last. If yous're hoping to switch upwards your nail expect just for the weekend, Frank says to only use a couple of drops of glue; if you want your press-ons to last for a week or more, cover your unabridged nail in gum.
Opt for shorter nails. As fun as long bury, stiletto, and almond-shaped nails are, the longer the length, the more likely they'll be to snag on something and accidentally pop off.

Consider using a different gum than the one that comes in your kit. Some of the meridian-reviewed nail glues include KISS PowerFlex Max Speed Glue ($3) and Mia Undercover Nail Mucilage ($x).
Skip baths or only remember not to submerge your nails underwater. Since press-ons are designed to come off with but soap and water, letting them sit under soapy suds for long periods can shorten their vesture.

The Best Printing-On Nails to Try

Rave Nailz Fluffy Cloud Nailz $25.00

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Press-on nails are specially great for weekends where y'all're looking to drastically switch-up your manicure without information technology affecting your twenty-four hour period-to-day look. That'due south why we love these fluffy cloud nails. While we might not vesture them every day of the week, they'd be a fun addition to whatsoever festival 'fit.

Static Nails Cristal Almond $25.00

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If you beloved an almond-shaped blast expect, you'll swoon over these minimalist nude nails. They feature embellished argument nails that are dotted with real Swarovski crystals for a slightly elevated, glam end look.

impress Pop Star 2 Press-On Manicure $viii.00

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ICYMI: French manicures are back in a large way. With this easy-to-use set, you lot can achieve the classic design with a hint of glitter and glam.

Dashing Diva Pies Served Daily Magic Press On $9.00

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Some press-on boom kits come with a variety of colors then that y'all're able to arrive on the gradient nail trend. This Dashing Diva set features a mix of pink press-on nails so that yous tin play with how yous desire to shift your gradient.

KISS Full-Cover Oval Nails $6.00

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If you lot're looking for length merely still want to paint your own nails, consider this best-selling 100-count press-on nail ready. Information technology comes with a variety of press-on oval nails so that you can do your ain nails over and over once more.