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Manicures are a must for special occasions. Identical to a very good blowout, a fresh set of nails leaves you feeling polished, pulled together, and prepared for regardless of the week brings. As an alternative of spending money and time on the nail salon this Valentine’s Day, DIY your manicure with the very best press-on nails.
Press-on nail kits have had a makeover previously five years: Uncomfortable claws are out, realistic-looking, durable faux nails are in. Scroll through our options, and also you’ll see that latest press-on nails can be found in various lengths, shapes, and styles (each solid-colored and complete with nail art designs). The brand new league of press-on nail kits includes various sized tricks to suit any nail size, and easy-to-use adhesive that makes application easy.
“One in all the advantages of press-on nails is cost — a set from the salon costs a minimum of $40, and press-on nails will be as inexpensive as $9,” says celebrity nail artist and Nails of LA founder Brittney Boyce. Press-on nails also benefit from giving your nails a uniform look; when you’ve chipped a nail, you possibly can easily conceal inconsistencies in length with good faux suggestions. They’re also just as effective as no-bite nail polish for individuals who have a habit of chewing their nails — the durable suggestions will protect your natural nails and permit them to regrow. And contrary to what you could think, press-on nails don’t damage your nails, so long as you remove them properly without prying them off, in response to Boyce.
Identical to hand lotion, luxury hand soaps, and winter nail colours, press-on kits are a straightforward method to upgrade your at-home manicure kit this season. We put these press-on nails through rigorous testing to make sure they’re worthy of your hands, and these eight options passed with flying colours. Read on for the highest press-on nail kits of 2023, plus tips on application, removal, and making them last — one secret is alcohol — and we don’t mean the champagne you’ll sip on February 14th.
The Best Press-On Nails For Valentine’s Day 2023
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OPI xPress/On Short Solid Color Press-On Nails
Best Gel Press-On Nails
- Variety of nails: 30
- Adhesive type: Glue
- Tools included: Nail glue, cuticle stick, dual nail file and buffer, and prep pads
OPI is a renowned nail polish brand — even when you’re not a manicure person, you’ve seen their colours on the fingertips of legends like Beyoncé and Kerry Washington. The OPI xPress/On Press-On Nails are a genius addition to the road, allowing you to attain a fairly manicure at home with iconic OPI colours, like Funny Bunny, Bubble Bath, and Lincoln Park After Dark. The faux nails feel like gel polish relatively than plastic, which is a rare find.
Editor’s testing and review notes: “Finding a very good fit for my pointer, middle, and ring fingers is all the time difficult, as a pretend nail that’s barely too big or too small throws off the look and wear time of my manicure. OPI’s press-on kits have a great deal of mid-sized suggestions to make sure an ideal match for those tricky-to-fit fingertips.”
Courtesy of Ulta
Static Nails Almond Reusable Pop-On Manicure
Best Reusable Press-On Nails
- Variety of nails: 24
- Adhesive type: Glue
- Tools included: Nail glue and dual-sided buffer
If you happen to’ve ever looked for press-on nails, odds are you’ve come across Static Nails. They’re considered one of the few brands that makes reusable press-ons you possibly can actually wear greater than once, due to the ultra-durable suggestions. You may browse over 200 styles in various lengths and shapes, from extra-short square to medium coffin and long almond. You’ll be hard pressed to decide on only one set to try.
Editor’s testing and review notes: “I all the time keep a set of solid-colored, short round Static Nails on standby — the high-shine suggestions look flawless and realistic. The brand also has an ideal, non-damaging nail glue you sweep on identical to polish, and I take advantage of it with any glue-on faux nails I apply.”
Courtesy of Nordstrom
Chillhouse Chill Suggestions
Best Press-On Nails with Designs
- Variety of nails: 24
- Adhesive type: Glue
- Tools included: Nail glue, cuticle stick, and dual-sided buffer and file
If you happen to’re wanting to mix up your nails with cool designs (but hate how long it takes on the salon) order up some Chillhouse Chill Suggestions. The edgy brand has spa locations in Latest York and Paris, but you possibly can get considered one of their signature nail art manicures at home with their press-on nails. Chillhouse launches recent suggestions seasonally, so you possibly can all the time stay up for recent colorways and designs.
Editor’s testing and review notes: “Chillhouse Chill Suggestions are my favorite to pop on for the weekend, or once I’m heading on vacation. The funky designs uplift my mood each time I look at my fingertips. The guidelines are medium length, but you possibly can easily file them down when you prefer a shorter manicure.”
Courtesy of Chillhouse
Kiss Impress Nails Short Solid Color Press-On Nails
Best Press-On Nails on Amazon
- Variety of nails: 30
- Adhesive type: Sticker
- Tools included: Nail file, cuticle stick, and prep pad
These Kiss Impress press-on nails outperform their competition at the pharmacy. The sticker-style adhesive means you don’t must fuss with nail glue, so that they’re an ideal option for press-on beginners. The entire colours available are classics — think along the lines of burgundy, navy, cream, and pale pink. The form and size is simple to file down from a square to a round or almond shape.
Editor’s testing and review notes: “I apply these Kiss Impress nails multiple times all year long; they’re my favorite when I would like fresh nails, fast. The guidelines feel like thick gel polish, and better of all, they leave no residue after you remove them.”
Courtesy of Amazon
Nails of LA Press-On Extensions
Best Short Press-On Nails
- Variety of nails: 24
- Adhesive type: Double-sided adhesive stickers or nail glue
- Tools included: Nail glue, adhesive stickers, cuticle stick, and file and buffer duo
Boyce designed these Nails of LA Press-On Extensions using years of experience as a star nail artist to make sure the durable suggestions feel comfortable in your fingertips. The guidelines work with adhesive stickers or nail glue (you’ll get each in your kit), so you possibly can select the adhesive that you simply’re most comfortable using. All of the information feature minimalistic nail art designs that range from geometric to abstract, and each adds somewhat je ne sais quoi to your look.
Editor’s testing and review notes: “The Nails of LA press-ons are a serious win due to adhesive options — I really like that I can apply the beautiful designs with glue stickers or traditional nail glue. The length is great for day by day wear; I can easily put in contacts without poking my eye.”
Courtesy of Nails of LA
Olive & June Press-On Nails The Quick Mani
Best Press-On Nails for Wide Nail Beds
- Variety of nails: 42
- Adhesive type: Glue
- Tools included: Wood cuticle pusher, 2-in-1 file and buffer, and prep pad
Olive & June pioneered a foolproof system for at-home manicures, complete with a custom silicone brush handle attachment that provides you more control whenever you’re painting your nails together with your non-dominant hand. So we weren’t surprised when Olive & June’s press-on nails debuted with a kit that makes applying press-on nails easy; the set has an enormous range of nail sizes that makes it easy to seek out your exact fit. Keep tabs on their seasonal limited-edition designs, which all the time sell out.
Editor’s testing and review notes: “You’ll be spoiled for alternative with Olive & June’s press-on nail kits — you possibly can shop solid and patterned designs, and any set you select comes with the smallest and largest of press-on nail sizes. The guidelines have a pleasant curve to them that hugs either side of your nail bed for longer-lasting wear time.”
Courtesy of Olive & June
ManiMe Gel Nail Strips
Best Custom Press-On Nails
- Variety of nails: 18
- Adhesive type: Sticker
- Tools included: Nail file, wood stick, and prep pad
Unlike traditional press-on nails, ManiMe’s polish is available in adhesive gel strip stickers, not full-on faux suggestions. Apply them straight onto your nails for a splash of color and not using a change within the length or look of your natural nail. The result rivals what you’d walk out of the salon with after a gel manicure. And if you may have narrow or wide nail beds, you possibly can order a custom-made set that matches like a glove: ManiMe has technology that runs a 3D scan of your nails via images you are taking in your smartphone.
Editor’s testing and review notes: “When my nails are healthy and even in length, I really like to smooth on ManiMe’s nail strips. They cover my nail beds identical to traditional polish, but without the dry time. I get compliments on my manicure each time I take advantage of them — little do my friends know that I did it myself.”
Courtesy of ManiMe
Glamnetic Press-On Nails
Best Long Press-On Nails
- Variety of nails: 30
- Adhesive type: Glue
- Tools included: Nail glue, double-sided file, cuticle stick, and prep pad
Glamnetic is the go-to when you’re eager for length — even the shortest styles will provide you with a very good free edge. The immigrant-owned brand launched with faux lashes in 2019, and has since develop into a longtime player within the press-on nail space. Although Glamnetic offers solid coloured press-on nail kits, they’re known for his or her funky nail art: You may shop checkered and french sets, or go together with a kit that mixes different designs in the same color palette for a bespoke effect.
Editor’s testing and review notes: “While testing long press-on nails, I noticed one common issue: They’re much more prone to break than shorter options. That’s not the case with Glamnetic. They’re the one lengthy press-ons I could wear for greater than per week without coping with chipping. The nails are thinner and lighter than other press-ons, but they stayed secure until I removed them.”
Courtesy of Glamnetic
How To Apply Press On Nails
“Prep is the whole lot, regardless of what form of manicure you’re doing” says Boyce. “If you happen to don’t buff and cleanse the nail properly, the polish or glue won’t give you the option to bond properly.” Here’s learn how to apply them for a long-lasting result:
- Cleanse your hands by removing any existing polish out of your fingertips, then washing your hands thoroughly.
- File and shape your natural nails, then frivolously buff them to remove any visible shine.
- Suit your faux nails by finding the press-on nail that’s the closest match to your natural nail. “If you happen to’re between sizes, select the larger option, then frivolously file down the edges of the faux nail so that they suit your nail bed without touching your skin,” says Boyce.
- Wipe down the natural nail with rubbing alcohol, and wait for it to completely evaporate. This key step ensures that the adhesive will set properly for a longer-lasting manicure. Without it, the natural oils in your nail will interfere with the glue’s ability to bond.
- Apply the press-on nails: If using adhesive stickers, remove the sticker backing and firmly press the faux nail onto your natural nail for 10 to fifteen seconds. If using glue, dot a small drop onto the bottom of your natural nail and the bottom of the faux nail. Rigorously place the faux nail onto your fingertip, holding it in place for 30 seconds. Use a cuticle follow remove any excess glue from the side partitions of your nail.
- Repeat steps 4 and five on each nail.
How To Remove Press On Nails
Resist the urge to peel or pull them off — this tugs off layers of your natural nail, causing damage. You may remove your press-on nails two alternative ways: One option is to soak your nails in a bowl of warm water with a spoonful of coconut oil for about 20 minutes. You may as well buff the faux nails and soak them in acetone for about five minutes, which is Boyce’s preferred method. After soaking your nails with coconut oil and water or acetone, Boyce says to softly rock them backwards and forwards until the press-on nails have loosened; then they’ll gently fall off without damaging your natural nails.
How To Make Press-On Nails Last
Wondering how long press-on nails last? With proper application, your press-on manicure can last for as much as two to 3 weeks. These practices will help keep them in tip-top shape.
- Avoid water for half-hour after application: “If you happen to get water on the nail glue before it dries, any excess glue in your cuticle or the side partitions of your nail will dry down white as a substitute of clear,” Boyce explains. To preserve your manicure after it’s set, wear rubber gloves whenever you’re doing dishes.
- Grab a scalp massager: These handheld silicone brushes lather up shampoo without applying pressure to your fingertips. Additionally they prevent your nails from snagging in your hair whenever you rake conditioner through it — this lessens the likelihood of your nails coming loose or falling off after wash day.
- Apply cuticle oil: Emollient nail products are essential for any manicure, in response to Boyce. “Without oils and creams, the natural nail becomes brittle and dry, stopping a long-lasting manicure,” she explains. Deal with the edges and base of your nails whenever you massage it on.
How We Selected the Best Press-On Nail Kits
To decide on the very best press-on nail kits, we considered a mess of things, including the damage time, durability, feel, and ease of application and removal. We noted the faux nail size options, ensuring that every kit on our list is inclusive for the biggest and smallest of nail beds. While testing the very best press-on nails, we exposed the nails to water, soap, cuticle oil, body lotion, numerous clacking on a keyboard, folding laundry, opening packages, and so way more. The press-on nails that chipped, broke, or popped off were nixed from our list. We also interviewed a nail expert who has experience creating her own press-on nail brand, and used her expertise to tell our selections.
Meet the Expert
Brittney Boyce is the definition of a multi-hyphenate as a star nail artist to Hollywood’s biggest stars, founding father of cutting-edge nail brand, Nails of LA, content creator, and more. Boyce began her profession as a nail extension specialist in high-end nail salons across LA. Rapidly establishing a fame, Boyce became highly sought-after for editorial, fashion and beauty campaigns. Now, Boyce works with top celebrities including Megan Fox, Machine Gun Kelly, Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian, Travis Barker, and Olivia Rodrigo. Her nail looks are viral sensations including the $30,000 diamond manicure on Machine Gun Kelly for the 2022 Billboard Music Awards, benefiting local Cleveland charities. Beyond her skills as a manicurist, Boyce has lent her talent to beauty brands to support marketing, product development, content and more. In 2020, Brittney launched NailsofLA – the ultramodern adhesive nail designs brand.
Meet the Creator
Claire Sullivan is the Senior Beauty and Lifestyle Commerce Editor for WWD and Footwear News. She’s spent over five years researching, reporting on, and writing in regards to the beauty industry for publications like Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, InStyle, and Byrdie. She became a press-on nail nut in the course of the pandemic, testing dozens of sets from different brands. To compile the very best press-on nail kits, she factored in durability, ease of application, wear time, and whether or not the sets damage your natural nails.
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