Once you’re learning tips on how to apply fake nails, there’s not a lot a learning curve as there may be a straight line since it’s really that easy. That is why it never made sense to me that press-on fake nails are sometimes passed up in favor of gel polishes and nail extensions, but experts have long relied on them for a lot of reasons. Take nail artist Eun Kyung Parkfor instance, who keeps a full closet of pretend nails readily available for quick nail art changes on herself and her celebrity clients. Fashion Week veterans Gina Edwards and Miss Pop often hand-paint fake nails for his or her runway nail art. Fake nails are in all places, and so they’re way more ubiquitous than even probably the most researched manicure devotee would think.

When used accurately, fake nails can pass to your natural nails and permit for infinite experimentation (with minimal nail damage). Depending on the way you apply press-on fake nails, they’ll last anywhere between a couple of short hours and two whole weeks. But whether you are going for a glance that lasts for one night or for the longest haul possible, there are a couple of vital rules you have to follow, based on manicurists.

• Gina Edwardsa nail artist in Latest York City
• Miss Popa nail artist in Latest York City
• Eun Kyung Parka nail artist in Seoul, South Korea and founding father of Unistella nail salon
• Hadley KingMD, a board-certified dermatologist in Latest York City

• How to pick the right fake nail size
• How to prep for fake nails
• How to apply fake nails with adhesive tabs
• How to apply fake nails with glue
• How to make fake nails last longer
• How to remove fake nails

Similar to shoes in a department store, you must ensure that fake nails fit by trying them on before committing to them. As Edwards points out, most nail brands emboss little numbers on the back of their press-on fake nails so you possibly can easily work out which sizes are best suited to you — listening to them and remembering your sizes can cut numerous outing of your process.

All three nail artists interviewed agree that the perimeters of a fake nail should lie flush up against the perimeters of your natural nail. If a press-on nail is just too small, it’ll be vulnerable to lifting and should pop off before you wish it to. If you’ve gotten a nail that is in-between sizes, reach for a fake nail that is barely too big — Miss Pop says there’s a straightforward method to fix that after it has been applied. “In case you size up and it looks ginormous, file along the free fringe of your natural nail to suit the form of your tip,” she says. Most press-on nail packs include a nail file; put it to make use of to get probably the most seamless fit possible.

Sizing fake nails accurately determines how natural they’ll look, but how well you prep nails before applying them will determine how long they last. Before putting on the nails you have chosen, Park advises pushing your cuticles back, especially in the event you want your press-ons to last for some time. Then, she says, check your natural nails for oil.