Press-on nails are a budget-friendly alternative to nail extensions. You probably already have an inkling that they’ll save you a ton of money compared to visiting the nail salon, but how much exactly should a good set of press-on nails cost?
Press-on nail prices are all over the map, largely based on how they’re made and how they’re branded. In this post, we’ll dive deep into the costs of press-on nails and help you figure out how to go about shopping for them.
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Factors Influencing the Cost of Press-On Nails
Here are some of the key factors that’ll impact the costs of press-on nails. We’ll also explain how much each of these factors matters so you’ll know what to look for when shopping for press-ons for yourself.
Commercial vs. Handmade
The biggest price difference is between commercially produced and handmade press-on nails. Commercial press-on nail kits usually cost between $7 to $20, while handmade designs usually hover between $25 and $75 per set, although more extravagant nail art can raise the price to upwards of $200.
While handmade nails are pricier than commercial ones, the difference isn’t always extreme because there’s still a mass-produced element in how the press-on nails are made. Nail artists purchase pre-made nail tips, to which they then apply their designs. The price of a handmade nail set depends on how much time the artist spent on the design, so simpler designs are often on the lower end of the price range.
It should raise your suspicions to see handmade press-on nails sold for $20 a set or less. It’s often a sign that the nails are actually mass-produced and are being drop-shipped or re-sold. Reverse image search or Google Lens can be great tools for identifying the origin of the product you’re thinking of purchasing.
Quality
Another factor that may influence the cost of press-on nails is the product quality. With commercial products from reputable brands, more time is spent on the design, materials, and quality control. As a result, the nails usually have neater, more consistent designs. They tend to fit better and have a higher level of durability and longevity.
Very cheap press-ons usually come from brands with little to no transparency - if you're shopping online, the photos may not correspond with the real product you're getting, and the chances of defects are higher.
However, it’s worth mentioning that price doesn’t always signify quality, so always read reviews and look at photos to confirm that you’re buying a quality product.
Branding and Design
The branding often also impacts the price of press-on nails. In the commercial realm, high-end brands that launch press-ons will charge more purely because of their position in the market, which may not correspond with better quality compared to reputable mid-market or drugstore brands.
Where branding can have an impact on the actual design of the press-on nails. A simple, no-frills brand making commercial press-on nails will probably produce a solid product. However, because their goal is to appeal to as many people as possible, the designs will probably be a little more generic, like a classic French tip or solid colors.
There’s nothing wrong with having a few classic press-ons in your arsenal, but when you want nail art that’s a little more unique, you’ll likely find it from smaller brands like Lilac St. that are working directly with artists to create more unique nail designs.
Kit Add-Ons
Some brands may charge more for full press-on nail kits with other accessories than for a simple set that only includes the nails. On the other hand, you might be able to save per nail set when you purchase press-on nail bundles with multiple designs.
Cost Ranges for Press-On Nails
The range for the possible cost of press-on nails can be pretty extreme, starting at as little as just a few dollars and going all the way up to over $200. That said, most press-on nails hover between $7 and $20 for commercial press-on kits and between $25-$75 for hand-made press-on nails
Where to Buy the Best Press-On Nails
Nowadays, press-on nails are available in a lot of places, so doing your due diligence when shopping is key to finding the best press-on nails.
To start, choose a retailer that you trust, whether you’re shopping online or in real life. Look for press-on nails with plenty of reviews and transparent branding.
Be particularly careful with online marketplaces like Etsy, Amazon, and Walmart, where many stores sell pseudo-brands and fake handmade goods. Press-on nails are only sold via TikTok shops, and a lack of a more robust internet presence should also raise your suspicion.
If you’re not in the mood to start researching and browsing, save yourself some time and check out our Lilac St. Press-On Nail collection. Designed in collaboration with nail artists, they’re lifelike and creative, with a style to suit every aesthetic. They’ll easily stay put for 10 days with a 10-minute application, and they don’t chip or peel, so you can reuse them beyond that first wear.
Cost Comparison with Salon Manicures
Where press-on nails truly shine is as an alternative to salon manicures. In most cases, press-ons are selected as an alternative to acrylic or soft gel nail extensions, which can be incredibly costly in the long term.
An appointment for a full set of acrylic nails usually costs between $50-$80, while a full set of soft gel nails usually costs $80-$100. As the nails grow out, these extensions need to be refilled every 3-4 weeks, which can cost anywhere from $30-$50. Maintaining your nails for a whole year will cost around $600 at a minimum and potentially more once you account for additional nail art and tips.
Press-on nails can save you a lot of money in the long term. As long as you remove them gently, one kit of our $14-$18 Lilac St. Press-On Nails offers multiple wears. You could easily enjoy a year of continuous applications for under $100, especially if you make use of our bundles and regular promotions. That’s at least $400 in savings over the course of one year and thousands of dollars over a few years!
Tips for Budget-Friendly Press-On Nails
The best way to save on your press-on nails is by preserving their longevity. Here are a few of our tips for that!
- When applying, make sure to buff and dehydrate your nails as part of the prep so you can get your press-on nails to last longer.
- Be careful when removing your press-on nails using the warm water method to avoid damaging them. That way, you can re-use your press-on nails again and again.
- Sign up for your favorite press-on brand’s newsletter so you know when promotions and sales are happening. You’ll often save the most on press-on nails by purchasing bundles.
Conclusion
Press-on nails can cost anywhere from $7 to upwards of $75 per set. As you can expect, press-ons on the lower end of the scale are usually of lower quality, while the more expensive hand-made sets, while stunning, can be quite expensive. Lilac St. Press-On Nails cost $14-$18 at regular price, but they deliver durability, longevity, and unique designs that easily rival most handmade options. With sales and discount codes, you can often get them for even less!
