How to apply press-on nails: a step-by-step guide

Once upon a time, the most popular fake nails were the ones found in toy aisles. Now, press-on nails are all grown up, with social media helping them become one of the most viral nail trends of the year.¹

One big secret to their success: Press-on nails are more convenient and affordable than traditional salon manicures. And modern press-on nails have received a major facelift, offering some of the hottest designs swirling around TikTok and Instagram. For instance, the KISS Majestic Nails High-End Prestigious Mani features a finish that would cost a pretty penny if done in a salon.

Ready to take your press-on skills to the next level? Here's how to properly apply them, according to nail expert Mazz Hanna, the CEO of Nailing Hollywood Agency, which represents a handful of the industry's leading celebrity manicurists.²

En este artículo:

• Choosing the best fake nail styles for you

• How to apply fake nails

  • Pick the correct nail size

  • Prep your nails for application

  • Apply nail glue

  • Apply the fake nails

  • File the press-on nails

• How to make press-on nails last longer

• How to properly remove press-on nails

Choosing the best fake nail styles for you

Before applying press-on nails, you'll want to find the set that works best for you - because there are tons of styles to choose from. Where once it boiled down to round or square, press-on nails are now available in almond, coffin, squoval, stiletto and other fashion-forward shapes.

When deciding which is best for you, consider your aesthetic - and don't forget practicality. Do you want something long and sparkly to make a statement? Something natural for a more professional look? Something pretty and short that won't get in the way of typing and your day-to-day?

If you’re not sure where to start, go with a simple, everyday classic like the Kiss imPress Color Press-On Manicure, which is sold in 24 colors on CVS.com®.

"I love Kiss imPress nail kits because they require minimal nail prep and are easy to apply," Hanna says. "They conveniently have the glue tabs already placed on the underpart of the nail, so all you have to do is peel off the tab and press them on the nail plate."

If you want a manicured look but feel like painting your nails yourself, try bare press-on nails, like the Kiss Salon Acrylic Natural nails y Kiss 100 Full-Cover Nails. (Fun Fact: If you want a picture-perfect press-on pedicure, KISS also makes a 96-count Full-Cover Toenails kit.)

How to apply fake nails

Ready to rock your instant mani? Follow the steps below for selecting, applying, filing and finishing your new look.

1. Pick the correct nail size

Your first step is to find which size of press-ons fits your nails — you want ones that are not too big or too small.

"The best way to size press-on nails is to hold them over the nail plate," Hanna says. "You want to make sure that they fit snugly on the nail without overlapping onto the cuticle area." When in doubt, she says to size down.

While the nail sizing process can take a few minutes, it typically only needs to be done once, on one hand, per brand. Plus, most fake nail brands assign numbers to their nails, so once you figure out a good fit for one hand, you'll have an idea of what you need for your other hand.

There are also ways to measure your nails before purchasing press-ons, but most brands come with many different options in one kit, so you’re almost always going to find a fit.

2. Prep your nails for application

No matter if you’re planning to use glue tabs or regular nail glue with your press-ons, you’ll want to prep your nails the same way.

"Remove any polish, push back your cuticles and wipe each nail with an alcohol pad to remove any excess oil before applying," Hanna says. "If you are looking for increased longevity, lightly buff the nail plate before wiping with alcohol."

Buffing removes shiny residue and slick surfaces from your nails, ensuring the press-ons adhere more securely. To do this, try a tool like the one+other™ 4-in-One Buffing Block.

If you have long nails, you’ll also want to trim and file them before application to ensure they don’t peek out from underneath your press-ons.

Although many press-on nail kits come with a cuticle pusher, a miniature nail file and an alcohol pad, not all of them do. As such, it never hurts to have a stand-alone nail prep kit - like the GSQ by GlamSquad Manicure Kit — and a box of CVS Health® Sterile Alcohol Prep Pads on hand.

3. Apply nail glue

Once you've sized your fake nails and prepped your natural nails, it's time to apply the press-ons. If your fake nails have built-in glue tabs, all you have to do is peel back the seal and press them into place. If they don't, you'll need to use nail glue.

"When it comes to applying nail glue, less is always more," Hanna says. "Apply a thin line of glue onto the underside of the fake nail and some on the middle of your natural nail. It will spread across the rest of your nail when you press it in place."

While most nail kits come with tiny tubes of nail glue, buying a stand-alone option can prove beneficial. El Kiss PowerFlex glue brush-on nail glue is particularly popular for its easy-to-apply design — it has a brush applicator, allowing you to paint a thin layer more effectively than those that disperse the glue in globs.

4. Apply the fake nails

Some nails, like certain colors of the Kiss Revolutionary French Nails, have built-in application tabs. But most don't, so you'll have to get comfortable holding them by the edges and trying not to smear the glue in the process.

Patiently press one fake nail on at a time. Start by aligning it with your natural nail at the cuticle (being careful not to apply it on top of your cuticle) and press it into place.

"Every brand is slightly different, but I'd say holding it in place for 20 seconds is the industry standard," Hanna says. (Tip: Don't want to set a timer? Recite the ABCs in your head for a rough count.)

5. File press-on nails

Once your fake nails are firmly in place, it’s time to file them.

If your press-ons are a solid color, filing as you normally would (back and forth across the top of the nail with a coarse file) works fine — just know that fake nails tend to be more rigid than natural nails, so you’ll likely need to use a coarse nail file, like the one+other Dual-Sided Salon Boards.

If your nails have an intricate design on them, however, you'll have to be more careful because the nail art could chip off. To prevent premature chips, use a finer grit nail file - like the Kiss All Purpose File & Smoother — and use slower, shorter strokes.

How to make press-on nails last longer

"One of the best parts of press-on nails is that you get an instantly perfect mani with minimal effort," Hanna says. That said, not all press-ons are built to last.

In general, those applied with glue tabs have a much shorter wear time than those applied with actual glue. "If you only want the nails for a single event or a few days, I would use glue tabs," Hanna says. "If you want to make them last a week, apply glue only to one surface [i.e., the false nail or the nail plate]. And if you want them to last more than a week, apply glue to both surfaces."

Beyond how you apply your fake nails, you'll want to think about how you treat them once they're on. For an enduring mani, you'll want to avoid submerging your nails in warm water for long periods of time, as it could potentially loosen the glue. Additionally, you'll want to be careful not to snag them on things, like opening a can or buttoning your pants, for example.

How to properly remove press-on nails

As convenient as fake nails are, it's important to remove them correctly. According to Hanna, if you rip them off before they're adequately loosened, you can severely damage your nail plate, which can affect how your natural nail grows for months.

To avoid damage, always soak your press-on nails before removing them. "Soaking nails in hot, soapy water for 10 to 15 minutes and then gently peeling them off with a wooden cuticle stick is the best way to remove fake nails," she explains.

Another option for taking off the press-ons? Utilice el KISS Glue OFF - Removedor instantáneo de uñas postizas, which is designed to loosen fake nails in minutes.

Este contenido es solo para fines informativos y no constituye un asesoramiento médico. Consulte con su proveedor de cuidado de la salud antes de tomar alguna vitamina o suplemento y antes de comenzar o cambiar alguna práctica relacionada con el cuidado de su salud.