Press-ons are having their moment in the spotlight, so why not let your nails shine? Press-on nails are an incredible alternative to professional nail extensions, designed for easy self-applications and gentle removal. They’re comfortable, convincing, and much more affordable to maintain than professional nail extensions.
If you’ve been dreaming of creating flawless manicures at home, this guide is for you. You’ll gain a thorough understanding of press-on nails, including how they work, the different style options, and their benefits.
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How Press-On Nails Work
As the name suggests, press-on nails are pre-made nail extensions that press onto the surface of the natural nail. They’re usually already shaped and colored to create gorgeous nails in minutes. They can come with a brush-on adhesive, especially if they’re more long-wearing.
Press-on nails usually come in kits with multiple nails and size options. The kits may also include adhesive, a nail buffer, a cuticle stick, and other nail prep components. Recently, short-wearing fake nails with pre-applied adhesive have also become popular with those who only want one day of wear.
Most press-on nails are made of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, more commonly known as ABS plastic. It’s a lightweight, flexible material that’s considered safe and non-toxic and is often also used for food storage and children’s toys.
Benefits of Press-On Nails
Press-on nails have had an exciting resurgence in the last few years. The artistry behind them and the technologies used to create them have come a long way, so they’re no longer seen as inconvenient or tacky.
Nail extensions can be so many things - a creative way of expressing yourself, a way to feel more put together, and a way of adding enhancement when you want to feel special. Here are some reasons why they’re worth trying.
Artful designs
Press-on nails, especially nowadays, are created by nail artists who put in just as much creativity and love as they do into creating nail art at the salon. You can find designs to suit every occasion and style, from clean, professional designs for the office to elaborate, eye-catching designs.
Affordable
A single press-on nail kit is a fraction of the cost of a professional salon manicure, even though the results are often indistinguishable.
Easy to Apply
Press-on nails go on in minutes, with a simple process that requires minimal effort, skill, or expertise. You just buff your nails, brush on the adhesive, apply, and you’re good to go.
Reusable
Many press-on nails (including our selection from Lilac St.) are durable, so they can be used again and again as long as you take good care of them.
Gentle
Nail extensions can do a lot of damage to your natural nails, especially if you remove them aggressively. Press-ons are made of a more lightweight, flexible material than other nail extensions, and they’re applied with a gentler adhesive. As a result, they take less of a toll on your natural nails.
Customizable Shape and Length
While press-on nails come already shaped, you can cut and file them if you prefer a different style or length.
Long-Wearing
Modern press-on nails can stay in place for up to 10 days, especially if you take the time to apply them correctly. Stay tuned to our blog for tips on how to get the best longevity out of your press-on nails!
Types of Press-On Nails
Just like with an acrylic manicure, there are many press-on nail options made of different materials and in different shapes.
Length
- Short press-on nails are a natural-looking option that doesn’t extend too far past the nail bed. They still give the hands a more elegant touch and are ideal for anyone who wants the enhancement without the nails getting in the way of their daily life.
- Medium-length press-on nails strike a nice balance, as they elongate the hands without getting in the way of daily activities.
- Long press-on nails are the most eye-catching and dramatic, often extending significantly beyond the nail bed.
Shape
- Almond: Almond nails are often medium or long, with rounded sides that come to a slightly pointed tip.
- Round: More blunt than almond nails, round nails are perfect for those who want a natural and demure look. Rounded tips tend to look best with shorter styles.
- Square: Another common shape is the “squoval,” which has a square tip but with the corners rounded off a little more.
- Stiletto: This is a sharper and more extreme version of the almond shape for those who want a fierce and striking nail shape.
Finish
- Glossy press-ons are coated with a reflective glaze that creates a reflective, healthy-looking sheen.
- Matte finish is a sophisticated option without reflectiveness. Some designs pair matte and glossy elements for added interest.
- Pearl finish includes a microfine glitter that’s even more reflective, and will throw off light in different ways as the nails move. The result is reminiscent of the natural sparkle of a pearl.
- Sparkle refers to nails with larger pieces of reflective glitter for a more exuberant sparkle.
Adhesive
- Brush-on adhesives are usually made of stronger skin-safe glues that provide a long-lasting manicure, although they can be a little messier and trickier to apply.
- Pre-applied glues or adhesive tabs are not very durable, but they’re a nice choice if you want to change your nails from day to day.
Press-On Nails vs. Other Nail Enhancements
There is a nearly endless list of products and techniques that will help you enhance your nails, including nail polish, UV-cured gel, professional extensions, and even DIY acrylics.
The biggest draw of press-on nails is that they look like professional acrylics, extending the length of the nail with a flawless shape and nail art. The biggest difference is that, since you can apply them at home, they save you time and salon costs. The same is true for other salon manicure options, be it a traditional nail polish manicure or a gel manicure.
Compared to home options like nail polish or even home UV gel kits, you’ll probably find that press-on nails are easier to apply. They don’t require the dexterity to apply nail polish flawlessly, and the adhesive dries down quickly so the overall application process can be much faster.
How to Choose the Right Press-On Nails
Choosing the best press-ons for you mostly comes down to style preference. You’ll also want to consider application technique and your desired longevity. Here are the questions to ask yourself.
- What length do I want? When choosing the ideal length, you’ll have to consider both your preferred aesthetic and practical factors. If you’re not used to them, longer nails can make daily tasks a little harder, but if you love the look of them enough, then they’re worth getting used to.
- What designs do I like? The great thing about press-on nails is that they come in a wide variety of designs, and you can collect as many styles as you wish.
- How long would I like them to last? If you’re aiming for long-wearing DIY nail extensions, make sure to choose a kit with a brush-on adhesive. For shorter wear, you can opt for pre-glued nails or nails with adhesive tabs.
Discover Lilac St. Press-On Nails
Lilac St. has entered the nail game with a collection of stunning press-on nails developed for every occasion and aesthetic. They go on in minutes, and you can maintain them for up to 10 days without any trouble. Durable and reusable, they offer a lifelike, salon-quality look without the hassle or cost of visiting the nail salon.
