How To Apply Press on Nails
[And Remove Them]
How to apply press on nails and wear them for as long as you want! Whether it's just for the weekend or a couple of weeks. Simply decide how long you want to wear them and follow the application tips for long wear or temporary wear. We've also got all the info on how to remove press on nails when you're ready.
How long do you want to wear your press on nails?
Or skip to the easy removal process:
TEMPORARY WEAR
Wear time: Special events, a few days.
Apply with: Essential Prep To Wear, The Total Package
1 | PREP
Start with clean nails. File your nails shorter + push back your cuticles.
2 | BUFF [optional]
LIGHTLY buff your bare nail. Sticky things LOVE a rough surface. If your nails are too smooth or shiny then the adhesive tab will start to lift pretty quickly. A little light buffing avoids that. Skip this if you want to wear them for a few hours only.
3 | WIPE
Use an alcohol pad or acetone-free nail polish remover to wipe over your nail. This removes oils, dirt and moisture. Prepping th enail for the adhesive tabs.
4 | gel tabs/nail tabs
Lift the tab from the backing sheet. [Tweezers can help]. Place on your nail with the curve part at your cuticle. Press down firmly. For traditional tabs - remove the brown paper from the tab.
5 | APPLY
At a slight angle, place the press on nail into the cuticle area of your natural nail, then place down. Hold for 10 seconds.
15 - 20 seconds makes them last even longer. The pressure increases the strength of the bond between the adhesive tab, the press on nail and your nail.
long wear
Wear time: A week - 2 weeks+
Apply with: SUPERIOR HOLD KIT, THE TOTAL PACKAGE
1 | PREP
Start with clean nails. File your nails shorter + push back your cuticles.
2 | BUFF
Lightly buff your bare nails. This creates the perfect surface for the nail glue to stick to. Don't rough them up to oblivion, but you should remove any shine from your natural nail.
3 | WIPE
Use an alcohol pad / acetone-free nail polish remover to clean away nail filings and dehydrate your nail bed of its natural oils. If you want your press on nails to stay on longer this is 100% necessary!
4 | GLUE
Amazing nail glue will make your press on nails last longer. Apply nail glue to your natural nail. FOR SUPER LONG WEAR: Apply nail glue to the back of the press on nail as well. This creates a double bond = more wear time!
5 | APPLY
At an angle, place the false nail near the cuticle and then place down. Press down and hold for 10 seconds. Wipe away any excess glue immediately. If glue gets on your skin it will eventually life and peel off, exposing your false nail to allow in water, weakening the glue's strength.
EXTRA TIPS:
WAIT 30 MINS BEFORE WASHING YOUR HANDS
After application wait 30 mins before washing your hands. It gives the glue extra time to bond, increasing the strength of the glue and how long it lasts.
AVOID PICKING AT THEM
Avoid digging under your press on nails / fiddling with them excessively
AVOID EXCESSIVE WATER SOAKING
Obviously you're going to shower and bathe etc, but don't over-do soaking them in water for excessive amoounts of time.
LOOK AFTER THEM
Don't be too harsh on your press on nails. Skip bowling, wear gloves when dealing with chemicals. Show them some love!
HOW TO REMOVE PRESS ON NAILS
Use: A bowl of warm water, orange wood stick, Netflix [optional]
PREPARE WATER BATH
Prepare a bowl or warm soapy water. Major spa vibes. Fill it deep enough to cover all your nails.
1 | SOAK
Soak your nails for 5 minutes for adhesive tabs or 10 - 12 minutes for glue. Sit back, relax, watch some Netflix and treat it as your personal pamper session!
2 | REMOVE
Gently push the orange wood / cuticle stick under the press on nail. If it's coming away easily continue to gently push off the press on nail. If there is any resistance, stop and soak a little longer. Be patient and they'll come off safely. Refill your bowl with fresh warm water if it gets too cold.
3 | FINISHING TOUCH
If any glue residue is on yur natural nail - lightly buff this away. Apply a lovely hand cream and/or cuticle oil. Then you're done!
So whether you want to wear your press on nails for one night only, a crazy weekend or as long as you want - use these application tips. Flaunt your faux nails til you're ready for the next set!