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 widely available.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.

Here’s how to properly apply press-on nails, according to nail expert Mazz Hanna, the CEO of Nailing Hollywood Agency, which represents a handful of the industry’s leading celebrity manicurists.²

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Choosing the best fake nail styles

Before applying press-on nails, find the set that works best - there are tons of styles to choose from! Where once it was simply a choice between round or square, press-on nails are now available in almond, coffin, squoval, stiletto and other fashion-forward shapes.

When someone is deciding on a press-on set, they should consider their aesthetic and keep practicality in mind. Do they want something long and sparkly to make a statement? Or something natural for a more professional look? Or something pretty and short that won't get in the way of typing and day-to-day activities?

If someone isn’t sure where to start, they can go with a simple, everyday classic like the Kiss imPress Color Press-On Manicure®, which is available in 24 colors.

"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 someone has to do is peel off the tab and press them on their nail plate."

If someone wants a manicured look but wants to paint their nails themself, try bare press-on nails, like the Kiss Salon acrylic false nails y el Kiss 100 Full-Cover nails. (Fun fact: If someone wants a picture-perfect press-on pedicure, Kiss also makes a 96-count Full-Cover toenails kit.)

A pro’s guide to press-on nails

Follow this step-by-step visual guide to get fabulous-looking fingers.

How to apply fake nails

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

1. Pick the correct nail size

The first step is to find which size of press-ons fits the nails. Make sure to select 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. "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 someone figures out a good fit for one hand, they'll have an idea of what they need for their other hand.

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

2. Prep nails for application

Whether someone is planning to use glue tabs or regular nail glue with their press-ons, they will want to prep their nails the same way.

"Remove any polish, push back the cuticles and wipe each nail with an alcohol pad to remove any excess oil before applying," Hanna says. "If someone is looking for increased longevity, they can 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.)

If someone has long nails, they’ll also want to trim and file their natural nails before application to ensure they don’t peek out from underneath their press-ons.

Although many press-on nail kits come with a cuticle pusher, a miniature nail file and an alcohol pad, not all do. It never hurts to have a stand-alone nail prep kit like the GSQ by Glamsquad manicure kit on hand.

3. Apply nail glue

Once someone has sized their fake nails and prepped their natural nails, it's time to apply the press-ons. If their fake nails have built-in glue tabs, all they'll have to do is peel back the seal and press them into place. If there aren't built-in glue tabs don't, they'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 the natural nail. The glue will spread across the rest of the nail when it is pressed in place."

While most nail kits come with tiny tubes of nail glue, buying a stand-alone option can prove beneficial. El Kiss PowerFlex brush-on nail glue is particularly popular for its easy-to-apply design — it has a brush applicator, allowing anyone 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 Salon acrylic false nails, have built-in application tabs. But most don't, so it's important 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 the natural nail at the cuticle (being careful not to apply it on top of the 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 alphabet for a rough count.)

5. File press-on nails

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

If the press-ons are a solid color, filing as one 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 these will likely need a coarse nail file.

If the nails have an intricate design on them, however, be more careful because the nail art could chip off. To prevent premature chips, use a finer grit nail file with slower, shorter strokes.

How to make press-on nails last longer

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

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

Beyond how someone applies their fake nails, they'll want to think about how they treat them once they're on. For an enduring mani, people will want to avoid submerging their nails in warm water for long periods of time, as it could potentially loosen the glue. Additionally, they'll want to be careful not to snag them on things, like opening a can or buttoning 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 someone rips them off before they're adequately loosened, they can severely damage their nail plate, which can affect how their natural nail grows for months.

To avoid damage, always soak 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 instant false nail remover, which is designed to loosen fake nails in minutes. 

Este contenido es solo para fines informativos y no constituye un asesoramiento médico. Consult with your health care provider before taking any vitamins or supplements and prior to beginning or changing any health care practices