Press On Nail Beauty Nail Lady Easy Nail

Press-on nails are fake, painted nails that you glue onto your natural nails. 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. Press-on nails typically come in a kit that includes the nails, a cuticle pusher, a file, and nail glue. The nails themselves 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.

Clip and buff your nails. For the longest-lasting press on mani, clip your natural nails short. Recommends buffing your natural nail with a nail file so the glue will adhere better.

Clean your nails. Remove all polish and clean your nails well with soap and water to ensure a clean base for your press-on mani. If you have it on hand, clean them with rubbing alcohol using a cotton ball too.

Pick out your nail sizes. Choosing your nail sizes before you start applying them is a must so that you aren't trying to find your size with wet glue on your hands. For an even more perfect match, file the sides of the press-on nail to fit your nail beds.

Always select a size where the left and right sides of your nails don't show, and make sure the nail sits right above your cuticle line. If nails are too big, they come off more easily.

Apply one nail at a time. Apply three large drops of glue in the middle center of the press-on nails as well as on your actual nail. It's always better to slightly overuse glue than under-apply it as you can always wipe off the excess that overflows from the sides with a paper towel. Under-applying glue can cause air bubbles and cause premature lifting.

Optional: Paint your nails. If you opted for clear press-ons (as 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 as your press-ons.

Since thumbnail dents are a direct result of irritating the cuticle and the underlying nail matrix, it's important to be more gentle when applying press-ons. I usually firmly hold each press-on in place for 20 to 30 seconds to ensure it's adhered. Typically, I hold my thumbnails on a bit longer and with a touch more pressure since it's the largest nail, not to mention a finger I use even more regularly in daily life. Now that I know why my thumbnails are denting, though, I'll be more mindful about how hard I press my nails on.

Go easy with anything near the cuticle. Whether it's pushing back the cuticle or pushing a press-on into place, try to do it gingerly to prevent damage to the matrix.

Additionally, suggests allowing current dents to grow out before applying new nails, otherwise you run the risk of developing multi-ridged nails like mine. At the end of the day, though, it's largely just a cosmetic concern, so it's up to you when you want to experiment with your next set of pressies.

And remember: The way you remove your press-ons matters, too. The best way to avoid damaging your nails is with proper removal. I always recommend following the manufacturer's instructions for removal, but I do have a few products and methods that I frequently turn to for this. The bottle is as functional as it is elegant-the built-in dropper makes application easy. Just apply a few drops and after a few minutes the nails will slide right off-even if they are glued on.

The key to making press-ons last like gel nails or an acrylic manicure is in the application process. Of course the quality of your adhesive is important, but there are other things you can also do to extend the life of your press-on nails.

Clean your nail beds
It might seem obvious, but before applying press-ons, you'll want to be sure your nails are completely bare. Remove any existing nail polish (or nail enhancements) with acetone to ensure you're working with a clean, fresh nailbed. We recommend following this step even if you don't have any nail polish on-the acetone can help remove excess oils that may interfere with the longevity of your manicure.

If you're removing an old set of press-ons and want to reuse them, take care to remove any remnants of adhesive on the fake nail too. A smooth nail bed and clear false nail back will allow your next press-on manicure to sit flush, last longer and look professional. Just take care not to get acetone on the front of the nail, as doing so can disrupt the finish.

Buff your nails before application
After cleaning your nail beds, use a glass nail file or a sanding block to give your natural nails a light buffing. Be gentle-the goal isn't to scrub your nails raw, but rather, to create a bit of texture for your nail adhesive or glue to stick to (this also helps to avoid air pockets that can cause press-on nails to pop off quickly).

We also recommend buffing the back of the fake press-on nail tips (if the adhesive is not already fixed) as this creates traction when securing the fake nail onto your nail bed, and prevents the nail from sliding off your fingertip.

Push back your cuticles
If your cuticles are on your nail bed, it could interfere with how flush your press-on nails sit on your natural nail (and therefore impact the longevity of your DIY mani). To help prolong the life of your manicure, use a cuticle pusher to gently push any excess skin back. Keep in mind that you don't need to trim your cuticles-in fact, we'd advise against it, as the wrong approach could result in cuts or nicks.

Opt for a shorter nail
As much as we love the look of long nails, they're more prone to catching on things than shorter tips. And if you catch your press-on nails on something-say, a piece of clothing or the corner of a table-they may pop off prematurely. Instead, opt for short, round or almond-shaped nails (the lack of any sharp edges on rounded nails can further help prevent your press-on acrylics from getting stuck on things).

Use the right nail size
Your press-on nail tips need to be the perfect fit to ensure your manicure lasts longer and looks professional. Take care to match every finger with a press-on nail that hugs the nail plate perfectly. If you have to force the false nail to fit flat to your natural nail, it's too small. This step is essential, if your press-on nail is too large or too small it is likely to flick off quickly. If you can't find an exact match, trim the edges of a larger press-on nail with nail scissors or clippers, file the edges smooth, and buff again, to remove any possible splintered ends that could cause the false nail to peel off quickly.

Double glue your nails
Sometimes, less is more-but that's not the case where fake nails are concerned. To help ensure your press-on nails adhere, we suggest applying a thin layer of nail glue to both your natural nail and the fake nail. The glue in the press-on will naturally be drawn to the glue on your nail and they'll "grab onto" each other, adding an extra layer of bonding.

Make sure you coat the nails well to avoid air bubbles, which can create pockets between your nail and the press-on. If air gets into the adhesive, your nails may end up popping off before the end of the day, which no one wants after all their hard work.

Apply pressure from cuticle to tip
Even if you use the very best nail glue for press-on nails, simply placing the press-on nail tips onto your nails isn't enough to get them to stay. You have to apply pressure in the center of the nail for at least 20 seconds (on each nail) and simultaneously pinch the sides to get the best possible fit.

We recommend applying the press-on acrylic nails from the cuticle to the top of the nail at 45° instead of flat on the nail bed. Being precise with your nail application helps to evenly distribute the glue across the nail bed, control any excess adhesive from spilling out, and remove any air bubbles that could cause the press-on nail to lift off sooner than intended.

Apply finger by finger
Rather than applying all of the press-on nails on one hand and then moving on to the other, we recommend taking a staggered approach. Start with the thumb on your left hand, then fit the press-on nail to the right thumb, followed by your left index finger, then the right, and so on. This method makes application easier, as you won't be dealing with one full hand of fake nails and one hand of natural nails-and anything that makes the application process smoother can help ensure your manicure holds up.

Cure like a gel manicure
Some press-on sets come already painted and designed and need no extra work once you've applied them. If that's the case, you're all done. But if you've opted for un-painted press-ons, then we suggest seizing the opportunity to give your DIY manicure some additional staying power.

Instead of painting your false nails with traditional polish, opt for gel polish. Cure each nail under a UV lamp after applying your varnish, then add a gel top coat and cure the entire set. This will give your adhesive more hold, resulting in a press-on manicure that lasts just as long as your salon gel set. If you have a pack of pre-painted gel nails you may be able to cure those too-just check the packaging first.

When your press-ons are a week old, give them a light top coat to freshen up the color and keep them looking new.

Protect your manicure
While proper application is the best way to make press-ons last, there are also things you can do to extend the life of your nails post-mani. We recommend avoiding tapping your fingertips on hard surfaces, picking at your nails, submerging your hands in water, or doing any manual work until your nails are fully dry and set. Once they are, it's a good idea to protect your nails with gloves while doing any chores that involve cleaning agents or chemicals.