Yahoo Lifestyle9 Best Press-On Nails That Are Better Than a Gel or Acrylic Manicure
- 1/10
9 Best Press-On Nails That Are Better Than a Gel or Acrylic Manicure
We all want a perfectly polished manicure. But going to a salon can be time-consuming — and nail art can be tricky. Enter the classic press-on nails. These faux nails are "a great way to add length without the commitment and long application time," says Betina Goldstein, a nail artist for Chanel in Los Angeles. damage-free application
Press-ons are super easy to apply and can last up to two weeks depending on how well you apply and take care of them. You can shower or go swimming with them on (just be careful with hot water, which can loosen them). Best of all, they can even be good for your nails, as they're less likely to cause damage like a gel or acrylic manicure can, and you can even reuse them!
How to apply press-on nails
- Prep your nails by clipping them and removing any flaky cuticle skin on your nail beds.
- Buff nails for a smooth surface.
- Wipe your natural nails down with some rubbing alcohol to remove any oil that could interfere with the adhesive. You can apply a base coat before adding the glue to ensure a damage-free application.
- Choose the right size press-on for each nail, then add nail glue or nail adhesive tabs if needed.
- Press and hold each one onto your natural nails for a few seconds until they feel secure. Goldstein says it's important to make sure your press-on nails are applied with no air gaps to protect the glue from any water.
How to remove press-on nails
It may be tempting, but "never rip them off," Goldstein advises, as doing so can damage your nail bed. And if you’d like to reuse your press-ons, avoid using acetone, which can disturb the design. Instead, here's how to gently remove 'em:
- Soak your press-on nails in hot soapy water for 15-20 minutes or until they are loose enough to gently pull off.
- If hot soapy water doesn't do the trick, try lifting a corner of your press-on nail and saturate it with rubbing alcohol to help dissolve the adhesive, Goldstein says.
- Once your press-ons are all off, you can remove any excess sticky residue with a cotton ball and a dab of baby oil, or you can use a nail buffer to buff it off.
Now that you know the basics, it's time to get shopping for a new instant manicure. These are the best press-on fake nails you can buy:
- 2/10
1) imPress Press-On Manicure
Kiss USA
amazon.com
$5.99
Who doesn't like saving money and getting a salon-quality manicure? Top-rated on Amazon, Kiss imPress press-on nail kits will make people think you just came out of a nail salon. You can choose from so many beautiful colors and designs, from neutrals to striking bold shades and sparkling accents. They're easy to put on and very gentle on your nails.
- 3/10
2) Nail Addict Artificial Nails
Ardell
walmart.com
$6.21
Ardell's classic press-on nails really give you more for your money. These press-ons are elegant and trendy, yet they hardly take any time to put on. Reviewers raved about how great the glue worked and how long the nails lasted. If you're on a budget or you're new to press-on nails, you should definitely give these ones a shot.
Yahoo News is better in the app
Stay in the know at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories
- 4/10
3) Think Green
The Nailest
thenailest.com
$30.40
Gift yourself a set of The Nailest's luxury press-on acrylic nails that will catch everyone's eyes. These extravagant press-ons are completely handmade and customizable, plus long-lasting and high quality. Each set comes with exactly 10 nails, so it's important to buy a sample sizing pack ($1) beforehand. The brand does have some sets ready to ship, but those that are made to order can take up to four weeks to process — so plan early if you need them for a special occasion!
- 5/10
4) Magic Press Press-On Manicure
Dashing Diva
ulta.com
$8.29
If you love gel manicures but hate the damage they can do to your nails, try Dashing Diva's Magic Press press-on nails. There's no need for glue with these sets, and they're extremely quick and easy to apply. All you need to do is prep your nails, peel off the back tab, and press! The brand says that their press-ons can last up to seven days, but some customers say their manicure lasts longer.
- 6/10
5) Spotted Nude Cheetah
Static Nails
staticnails.com
$16.00
Static nailed it (pun intended) with their nude-colored press-on nails. They have a huge selection of pretty neutral shades that can complement a wide range of skin tones. The brand also has a great collection of other neutral colors like whites, grays, and dusty pinks. If you have a simple yet elegant taste, these nails are worth checking out.
Yahoo News is better in the app
Stay in the know at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories
- 7/10
6) Borderline
Marmalade Nails
marmaladenails.com
$14.00
Minimalist designs are so trendy right now, and Marmalade has some of the chicest press-on nail looks, as you see here. But they also offer a variety of nail shapes, colors, and finishes. Some of the sets even include nail accents inlaid with Swarovski crystals. They'll also stay on a long time—up to two weeks. Bonus: a portion of each sale goes to Petsmart Charities.
- 8/10
7) Gel-X Nail Extensions
Aprés Nail
amazon.com
$30.99
Create your own design with these professional-grade clear press-on nails. Aprés Nail's press-on nails are made from a soft gel, which is lightweight but very durable. Each box contains 500 nails with 10 different sizes, and you can choose from a wide array of shapes and lengths. Aprés also sells professional nail art tools and accessories, like glitter, foil, brushes, and gel polishes. While these faux nails are supposed to be adhered with Aprés' Extend Gel, Goldstein says she uses nail glue or sticky tabs.
- 9/10
8) Inspire Pre-Glued Nails
Pattie Yankee
pattieyankee.com
$12.00
One of Goldstein's go-to press-on nails are fellow nail artist Pattie Yankee's Inspire Nails. "I always use these on set or for runway shows," she says. "[They're] a perfect canvas to create your own designs." These press-on nails come pre-glued, so you don't have to worry about making a mess. However, they're best for temporary use (one to two days), great for a special occasion. "They stay on pretty well, but they're very easy to remove when you don't want them anymore," Goldstein says.
Yahoo News is better in the app
Stay in the know at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories
- 10/10
9) Wedding Collection
Lilium Nails
liliumnails.com
$69.95
Planning a wedding? A set of opulent press-on nails from Lilium's Wedding Collection created for bridal looks will look stunning on the big day. You can find a ton of gorgeous designs for other occasions as well. Some of the sets can be a bit pricey, but it's totally worth it considering the high quality and artistry. Since a set only comes with 10 press-ons, you'll need to plan ahead and get the sample sizing kit if you don't already know your size.
![<p><strong>Pattie Yankee</strong></p><p>pattieyankee.com</p><p><strong>$12.00</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.pattieyankee.com/product-page/inspire-nails-1" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:SHOP" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">SHOP</a></p><p>One of Goldstein's go-to press-on nails are fellow nail artist Pattie Yankee's Inspire Nails. "I always use these on set or for runway shows," she says. "<strong>[They're] a perfect canvas to create your own designs</strong>." These press-on nails come pre-glued, so you don't have to worry about making a mess. However, they're best for temporary use (one to two days), great for a special occasion. "They stay on pretty well, but they're very easy to remove when you don't want them anymore," Goldstein says.</p>](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/AyazMgwFENZP98wCE3arNQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTk2MA--/https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/CAwFubXgg4AxK5pJil1bZA--~B/aD01MDA7dz01MDA7YXBwaWQ9eXRhY2h5b24-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/good_housekeeping_561/599e0ba92cf88263c08258359fd885b3)
![<p><strong>Pattie Yankee</strong></p><p>pattieyankee.com</p><p><strong>$12.00</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.pattieyankee.com/product-page/inspire-nails-1" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:SHOP" class="link rapid-noclick-resp">SHOP</a></p><p>One of Goldstein's go-to press-on nails are fellow nail artist Pattie Yankee's Inspire Nails. "I always use these on set or for runway shows," she says. "<strong>[They're] a perfect canvas to create your own designs</strong>." These press-on nails come pre-glued, so you don't have to worry about making a mess. However, they're best for temporary use (one to two days), great for a special occasion. "They stay on pretty well, but they're very easy to remove when you don't want them anymore," Goldstein says.</p>](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/SiXKXIJ2wDoo7xhrpN2kNA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTIxMDtoPTEzMS4yNQ--/https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/CAwFubXgg4AxK5pJil1bZA--~B/aD01MDA7dz01MDA7YXBwaWQ9eXRhY2h5b24-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/good_housekeeping_561/599e0ba92cf88263c08258359fd885b3)
Zero drying time and almost effortless.
