The Scoop on Press-On Nails

Hi, friend! I’m getting straight to the point today because this topic is always a super hot one in my Instagram DM’s! If we’re friends on the gram, it’s no secret that I’m the press-on nail queen!  It’s all I wear … both mani and pedi! Before I get down to it, this is in no way sponsored and I’m not getting paid for this. I partnered with imPRESS Manicure at the beginning of my pregnancy because I liked the concept and I’ve been hooked as a paying customer ever since. I have an embarrassing amount in my collection! I’ve also made it very known that I would LOVE to be on their team or at least their PR list and/or get paid by them because I genuinely truly love the product. It’s seriously all I wear for so many reasons that I’m about to get into!  But, in short, they look better than any mani/pedi I’ve ever had, there’s no dry time, they don’t chip, and they last so long … literally everything a mom needs in her life when it comes to mani/pedis!

The main question that I always get is how do I make them last 2-3 weeks and I’m about to tell you my application process step-by-step with tips so you can do the same!  Before we start, here’s

what you’ll need:

• Your fav press-on nails! (I use imPRESS manicure and always have. I’m sure other brands work great but imPRESS is what always lasts for me so that’s what I recommend. Again, my collection is embarrassing!)
• 4-sided manicure block for buffing and polishing
• Professional Nail file (because the one on the block isn’t great for filing the edges)
• Nail Clippers
• Liquid Cuticle Remover (I use Nutra Nail Naturals brand)
• 100% Acetone Nail Polish Remover
• Cotton balls or rounds
• (optional) Extra press-on adhesives in case you get a stubborn one. Even happens to me sometimes!

Before you start, you’ll want to get all of the press-on sizes matched for your nails. This may take a few minutes the very first time but, after the first application, you’ll have an idea of what size each nail is and breeze through it after that. I usually get at least two uses out of each pack of nails because I use the exact size the first round. Then, I use one size up the second round and it still works.  If the leftovers will work with other sets that I have, I save them to mix and match later. If now, I’ll give the rest to Charli to play with and she loves it lol.

The Application Process

http://https://youtu.be/-nZUOE5FKuk

1. Clip your natural nails to your desired length and file them with the professional file. I choose my nail length and shape based on the press-on nails I’m applying. If it’s the shorter square shaped, I’ll go pretty short with mine.  If it’s the longer or oval length, I’ll usually just file my nails in that shape.
2. Apply the cuticle remover to each nail and push back your cuticles or remove them. I prefer to remove excess like they do in the salons and I do this by just using my fingernails (see video above). Pushing or removal is totally personal preference and won’t make a difference on how long the nails last.
3. Wash hands to remove debris, dirt, and oil.
4. Buff and polish with the 4-sided manicure tool. I go through all four steps on the nail. With this file, I file the top of the nail bed. Not a lot to ruin anything but just to create an even starting surface, kind of like sanding your base to prep it. So use all sides in order – 1, 2, 3, and 4!
5. Wash hands again.
6. Put 100% acetone nail polish remover on a cotton ball or round and go over each nail. One cotton ball per hand. I do this two times (on each hand) just to remove all excess oils.  Oil breaks down the adhesive so that’s why you want to be sure that the oils are removed from your nails/hand before applying the nails.
7. Get your press-ons ready!!!  Remove the plastic backing, place the nail on the desired finger, press firmly!  Make sure you are placing the nail on in the correct direction! This may sound ridiculous but lots of people have put them on backwards. The tab where you pull the sticker off, goes along the cuticle but they have the diagram on the box also so check it if you have any doubt! **Tip! I push the press-on as close to or just under my cuticle since I remove the cuticles and that helps to last longer too!
8. Lastly, go back over each nail and press down firmly again to really set the adhesive on your nails!
9. Optional! Come back with your nail file and file any weird edges, like based on the shape I may file down the pointy style a tad.
10. Don’t wash your hands for at least two hours!

Extra tips

1. I always put them on right before bed so I don’t have to wash my hands for a while. It allows the adhesive to set! If you can’t, try not to wash your hands for at least an hour after but I’d say go two or three if you can.
2. Stay away from super oily products getting under your nails. Oil breaks down the adhesive so if you can avoid that, it’ll help!
3. Use gloves to wash dishes. I actually got in this habit when I used to wear nail polish so it wouldn’t chip. I forget a lot these days when I do dishes because the press-ons don’t chip and mine still last so you don’t have to but that’s just an extra tip.
4. This is a personal preference but the longer ones, I usually take off around two(ish) weeks and the shorter ones around three weeks. Only because I have a toddler so longer lengths just get in the my way once they start to grow out and I’m over it lol. Plus, I get excited to put a new set on!
5. When you finally remove them, take them off in the bath or shower after they’ve soaked in the water for a bit. I always remove them when I’m finishing up my bath. If you need to remove them earlier, like after a week, or just want extra ease of removal, put some coconut oil, vaseline, or some sort of oil product on your nails and around them and that will help break down the adhesive.
6. A few tips for taking them off! My main tactic is to push down on the tip of your nail so it lifts a bit at the cuticle. You can also use the removal tool they include in the kit and slide it slowly between the press-on and your nail. Or even slide a nail in between. If they have been on for a while, either works great and they should come off pretty easy!
7. Right after taking them off, use the 4-sided nail mani to remove any access glue and smooth out the nail!
8. If you end up having one that’s just being a pain in the a$$ and comes off early, which even happens to me every now and then, you can just replace it with the closest size in the box. Or (what I do) you can grab these adhesive stickers and put it back on with this after peeling off the original adhesive. Just make sure you peel off all of the original and use the acetone nail polish remover on your nail before applying!  Again, that’s my method and it works like a charm!

Common Questions:

Q: Most Common – Does it ruin your nail beds?

A: No, it does not but this also may vary per person so I don’t want to guarantee it and lose trust but it’s never ruined mine. To be completely transparent, when I first take them off, my nails look a little rough. However, once I use the 4-sided mani tool, it helps a lot.  Then, the next day or two they are back to normal so I’ve never had any permanent nail damage from them. Possibly, if you take them off to early, it might but I make them last long so the adhesive has worn down a lot by the time I remove them.

Q: Where can I buy them?

A: You can get them at CVS, Target, Walmart and places like that but the imPRESS website has the full variety and they have sales pretty often so I usually get them there and stock up during a sale!

Q: Have you tried the stick-on nail polish to compare?

A: Yes, I have! I tried color street and I was terrible at putting them on but people said it takes a lot of practice.  I don’t have time for that lol … mom life! Press-ons are way easier for me! And the stickers can still chip while press-ons don’t.  This is probably a personal preference too because I know people that love color street so try them both and see which one works for you. Btw, I’m not knocking color street, I just wasn’t good at putting them on and they still had the strong nail polish smell to me where press-ons don’t smell at all!

Q: Can you cut and file the press-on nails?

A: You can but I don’t recommend it because they are already perfectly shaped.  If you needed to do one to fit your nail, I get it but I never file or cut them unless I need to polish up any weird edges but I never fully cut or reshape them, just a little file at the end of the application process.

Q: What if you work in a hospital or a place where you are constantly washing your hands?

A: They would still work.  I have a toddler so I am constantly washing my hands and I do dishes at least twice a day.  I think you would be totally fine, esp because in a hospital you prob always have gloves on. You just may prefer the shorter length and square shape.

Q: Is it the same process for the pedicure and do they last as long?

A: Yup, same process and they actually last longer for me! I do my pedi every other time I do my mani.

Q: Do you type a lot and do they last through that?

A: My job(s) contain typing and being at the computer constantly so, yes! Now, I’ll be honest, it’s easier to type with the shorter nails as opposed to the longer lengths but that has nothing to do with them being press-ons, that’s just the length and me being a spaz. Even before press-ons, I always sucked at typing with long nails but I still wear them because I like them. I must admit, I’ve gotten better though 🙂

Q: Can you take them off earlier or do you need to keep them on for the 2 – 3 weeks?

A: Yes, you can take them off earlier. See #5 in the above section, “extra tips”.

Q: I want to make them work but I don’t like when they get stuck in my hair?

A: This is when it is time for them to come off and put on a new set! If you pushed your cuticles back, you should have been able to push the nail back on your nail bed so they shouldn’t get stuck in your hair until about two weeks later.

Q: I always see that you have the designs, do they have solid colors?

A: Yes, they do! In fact, they did a collaboration with OPI and have all of the OPI popular colors and they’re all solids. But even the packs with the designs, depending on the pack, most of them only have a few nails that are designs so you can get at least one round of solids anyway! Again, depends on the pack but it should say it in the description if you’re getting it from the website!

My only complaint

My ONLY complaint about them is that when they grow out a lot, they start to catch my hair BUT that is also my signal that it’s time to take them off and put a new set on lol. I’m telling ya, it’s a process that I have down to a science now lol! With that said, the only people I wouldn’t recommend these for would be hair dressers because I think that would get annoying since you’re dealing with hair all day long! Or just take them off sooner so you don’t get to that point!

I’m glad to finally share this because I’m always giving bits and pieces in DM’s but I’m glad to have one spot to refer to with alllll the details!  I hope I answered all of your questions and if I missed any, please, feel free to ask below and I’ll answer there! Once you apply and rock the press-on nails, tag me on Instagram so I can see which ones you picked and share on my page as well!!!

XOXO,

Michelle (aka the press-on nail Queen)

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