You’ve probably heard of press-on nails before, also called stick-on nails, nail tips, or nail decals. If you want to wear acrylic nails without making the commitment to having your own natural nails removed and getting acrylics glued on, this may be the best option for you. But there are some things you should know before you buy these press-on nails so that you can make sure they last as long as possible and don’t damage your natural nails over time.
Get A Manicure
Press-on nails are everywhere these days! With the introduction of new technologies, the newest press-on nails can last for up to 10 days with the right care. Of course, we know that once you take them off, it is hard to get them back on again. This is why we’ve gathered all of our best tips in one place for you:
(1) Buy Quality Press-Ons. Investing in quality means a better chance of having a longer-lasting press-on! The more expensive, the higher quality and therefore (most likely) longer-lasting nails will be.
(2) Gently Brush your New Nails Clean with a Soft Toothbrush.
File Your Nails Properly
First, file your nails and shape them so that they fit over the fake nail naturally. Next, coat the artificial nail with nail glue and place it on top of your natural one. You will want to make sure that you wait for at least 15-20 seconds before placing the other side on. For extra durability, place a small dot of glue in between each section of nails when you first apply it.
Use The Right Glue
Nail glue, also known as nail glue or false nail glue, is used in place of clear nail polish. This allows the press-on nails to hold on without chipping. The most important thing when applying this is not getting it on your skin and being careful where you put it so that there’s no excess sticking out. Rubbing alcohol will get the sticky substance off your skin, and a toothpick can be used for touchups with the adhesive. Once you’ve applied the nails, you should never take them off again unless they are too loose and come undone; even then, press them back into place before reapplying a new layer of glue as shown above.
Avoid Using Oils
Oils can cause your press-on nails to come off much sooner. If you do use oils, wash your hands and nails immediately after, then remove the polish with nail polish remover before re-applying. Also avoid using oil or lotion around the area that the press-on nails cover-up, as this will weaken the adhesive and make them fall off faster. If your favorite hand cream has oil in it, wipe it away from your fingers before applying.
If you must use oils regularly and can’t give them up for whatever reason, consider not wearing press-on nails for at least two days following contact with any products containing oil. It takes about 24 hours for most lotions or hand creams to work their way through the skin.
Avoid Doing Things That Might Ruin Your Nails
There are a few things you can do to make your press-on nails last longer:
-Apply a top coat of clear nail polish every two days or so to keep the polish from chipping.
-Change your nail polish as often as you change your clothes. Keeping nail color fresh can help reduce chipping.
-Use dishwashing gloves when washing dishes by hand. The detergent in most dish soap is very abrasive and can cause your nails to peel off within just a few washes.
-Keep kitchen appliances, gardening tools, and other tools that require the use of harsh chemicals out of reach of children who might accidentally hurt themselves with them.
Remove Gently
Inevitably, your nail polish will eventually start chipping, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do anything about it. Keep reading for a few great tips and tricks to making your press-on nails last long!
Keep in mind that the adhesive on these may eventually lose its stickiness and won’t be as good at holding the nail in place.
Don’t wear dark polish. Dark colors are more likely to chip, regardless of whether or not you’re wearing press-on or full nails. Stick with light, bright colors for a longer-lasting manicure.
Apply a thin layer of clear or white nail polish before putting on your base coat color so that it’s less likely to chip later on.
