Applying your press-on nails is easy, but here is a step-by-step guide that’ll ensure a cleaner process and better results.
The better you prep your nails and cuticles before applying your press-ons, the better your nails will look! Take your time to remove old nail polish and apply a cuticle remover if you wish. That said, avoid soaking your nails for at least a few hours before applying press-ons. Water can sink into the nails and cause them to swell, compromising the glue seal.
Using a cuticle stick, carefully push your cuticles down towards the base of the nail bed. Do so gently to avoid damaging the surrounding skin.
Using a nail file and a light back-and-forth motion, gently buff the surface of your nails. Buff just enough to remove the shine from your nails, using minimal pressure to avoid damaging the nail bed. You can also take this opportunity to file down your nails. Your natural nails should be fairly short, without a free edge growing past your fingers.
Wipe your nails down with the alcohol. The alcohol will clean your nails of oils, debris, and excess moisture, leaving the surface dehydrated. If you don’t have a pre-soaked pad, you can soak a cotton pad in rubbing alcohol and use that to wipe your nails instead.
Measure the size of your press-on nails against your natural nails to select the best size for each finger. It’s much easier to do before you start your application. Set the press-on nails aside in the order in which you’ll be applying them.
To measure, hold the press-ons over your natural nails until you find the right fit. The press-ons should hug your natural nail seamlessly without feeling tight or extending past your nail bed.
If you can’t find a perfect fit for one of your nails, file down the sides of any press-on that’s a little too large.
Starting with your first finger (ideally, the little finger on your less dominant hand), peel off the protective film and press the press-on nail onto the adhesive tab.
Line the bottom of your press-on nail with the base of your nail bed, holding the press-on at a 45-degree angle. Then, press it down against your nail firmly. Hold it in place for around 20 seconds. You can rock your finger back and forth a little to make sure there’s complete adhesion.
Finally, give your press-on adhesive at least 2 hours to dry before letting your hands get wet. Try to avoid using your hands aggressively, and be careful not to bump your nails against anything. For best results, we recommend putting on your press-on nails before bedtime so you can let the glue set overnight.