Tired of your pressed nails peeling off too quickly? Here’s how to make them last longer

Press-on nail polish can be applied quickly, but it should not come off quickly. So what’s the secret to making your press-on manicure last longer? Simply put, it’s preparation and patience. When applied correctly, press-on nail polish will last at least 7 days. However, it takes some skill to master techniques to make your nails last longer and protect their health.

That’s why we asked a nail expert to give you a crash course on how to make your press-on manicure last longer. Celebrity Nail Stylist Elle Gerstein and Celebrity Nail Artist and Kiss Nails Brand Ambassador Julie Kanderek provide a press-on session with nail prep, nail sizing, safe removal to maintain nail integrity, and more. Here are the best tips and tricks to master your manicure. , all in the name of long-lasting press-on nail polish. Consider this your cheat sheet for the fastest, easiest at-home manicure imaginable.

Basics of press-on nails

Let’s be realistic first. “Press-on manicures are not meant to replace regular gel or acrylic manicures,” Gerstein explains. Mr. Gerstein’s clients include stars such as Jennifer Lopez, Blake Lively, and Kelly Lippa. According to Gerstein, a press-on manicure is a temporary, quick-acting nail polish that’s perfect for when you’re short on time (or money) and want a professional-looking finish. fast: wedding weekend, last-minute date night, or a spontaneous getaway.. However, we also know that many people prefer press-on nail polish as their nail polish option (over gel or acrylic), and that’s totally fine too.

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Generally, press-on manicures last about 7 to 14 days. However, this varies slightly depending on the type of press-on nail (glu-on type vs. adhesive tab). “If you’re using adhesive, we recommend removing it every 1-2 weeks depending on your lifestyle, whereas tabs take about a week to remove,” Gerstein explains. I will. Both glue-on and adhesive press-on nail types are quick, convenient, and easy to apply, but peel-and-go adhesive tabs tend to simplify the process even more because they already have adhesive applied to the nail. there is. Some nail kits even come with the option to stick with glue or stick with adhesive tabs, so you can choose your own press-on nail adventure.

Understand nail shape and size

Another factor to keep in mind when choosing a press-on manicure kit is the arch and curvature of the natural nail shape. “Some people have flat nails, and some people have curved nails,” Gerstein explains. That’s why it helps to find a brand of nail tips that offers products that suit your arch and shape. For example, Kiss nails are best for flat nails, while OPI nails and Pink Friday nails have strong peaks, making them perfect for people with larger C curves, Gerstein explains.

The goal is to find a press-on that fits your nails perfectly. “Having to push your natural nail in will cause it to fall off faster,” warns Kandalek. Her expert tip: If your nail bed is flat, go up a size and file down the sides for a better fit.

Most press-on nail kits come with different sizes of nail tips to choose from depending on your nail size, but finding and adjusting the tips that fit your nails can be difficult. “Fit is key,” says Kandalek. “If you use nails that don’t fit the arch (apex) of your nails, they will peel off quickly, even if they last a long time. The best way to get a perfect fit is to increase the size and then file down the sides to make them thinner. It’s the best. It’s like a puzzle piece,” she explains.

The trick here is to size the press-on to match the sides and sides of the nail. “It’s better to make your nails bigger and file them side-to-side than to shorten them with mismatched nails,” Gerstein explains. “However, you should also keep in mind that if the sidewalls are too large, the adhesive will penetrate and peel off.” Solution: Take the time to sand and press before applying the adhesive. Adjust the on-nail to properly fit the side wall of the nail.

how to prepare nailsReson

The secret to making your press-ons last long is in preparing your nails before applying them. “That’s the difference between a tip popping in a day or a week,” Gerstein explains. Once you have selected your nail tips and sized them to fit your nails, you are ready to apply your nail bed. First, make sure your cuticles are clean and your nails are dry. “To do this, wash your hands and dry your nail plate using an alcohol wipe, which is usually included in most press-on nail kits,” says Gerstein. The trick here is to make sure your nails are completely dry. “Use a pre-soaked pad to rub the alcohol into the nail plate. Use gentle rubbing motions to really dehydrate the nail,” she adds.

Next, “trimming and filing your natural nails short will help the tips adhere better and reduce the appearance of undersides and corners,” points out Kandalek. Finally, remove the hangnail and lightly polish the nail to improve adhesion.

How to apply press-on nails

Applying press-on nails is quick and easy, but requires some patience to apply correctly for a long-lasting effect. Start by taking each nail one by one and covering them with a thin layer of glue or sticky tabs. If using glue, apply the glue to the pad of the nail, hold the bottom of the nail, and press it into the cuticle area at a 90-degree angle. “Make sure the tip is snug against your cuticle, which will make your nail polish look more natural and prevent glue from seeping out,” Gerstein explains.

Regarding the amount of glue to use, “Apply the nail glue firmly to the nail and make sure to adhere firmly without creating air bubbles, but do not apply so much that it will spill out the moment you press the nail. ”’ Kandalek says. Working from nail to nail, align each press-on along the cuticle line, apply at a downward angle, and hold firmly for at least 10 seconds to secure in place.

How to safely remove press-on nails

The golden rule of push-on nail removal: Resist the urge to pick or peel off your nail polish. “Improper removal, such as peeling, can cause long-term damage and cause the nail to become brittle or crack,” says Kandalek. Nail removal techniques vary slightly depending on whether press-on nails are applied using adhesive or adhesive tabs.

For glued press-on nails, use an acetone soak that will break up the glue and allow you to slowly lift the nail. “Make sure to use 100% pure acetone. “Acetone-based nail polish removers aren’t as strong, they’re just sticky, so they’re not just nail polish removers,” explains Kanderek. Experts recommend using aluminum foil to wrap the nail with a small cotton ball soaked in acetone, which gently dissolves the adhesive.

Press-fit nails with adhesive tabs, on the other hand, require rubbing alcohol and a wooden stick. “First, gently lift the tip along the edge of the press to work the alcohol into the glue. Once the alcohol gets to the glue, it will pull away from the nail, but be patient,” Gerstein says. Let me explain.

There are also some nifty products on the market today that can help ease the pain associated with removal. For example, Kiss Glue-Off ($7) applied along the cuticle softens and dissolves any nail glue buildup, making it easy to remove the fake nail using the tip of a chisel and wiping away the softened nail glue. It gets easier. paper towels,” explains Kanderek. We also recommend using a coarse nail file to roughen the surface of the tip first. This will allow the acetone to penetrate faster.

In either scenario, once the glue has softened, use an orangewood stick to gently roll over the softened nail tip, then gently buff the surface of the nail with a nail file to remove any remaining nail or glue.

final point

There’s a lot to like about press-on nails. It’s quick, convenient, and looks just as good as the real salon version. The difficult part is making it last all night, not to mention the overly promising 7 to 14 days. The trick is to take a little extra time and care to prepare and apply correctly to get value for your time and money. This makes for a quick and easy application process that may take a little longer, but it’s a small price to pay for an at-home DIY manicure with a 14-day promise.