The Many ways to Wear your Press on Nails!
Updated: Aug 25, 2022
I like to call Press-on Nails very versatile, short-term nail extensions.
They are in-part like an overlay or acrylic set that you'd get in a salon because they give a strong, even surface to the nail, they can transform your nail shape and length, and they also can be custom designed to match any style!
However, with the at-home convenience they provide -- from ordering any variety of artists with individual styles, from the array of nail trends to try out, to the ability to apply at home and express your nail style in minutes.
Part Art, Part Accessory, you can build a collection of them for interchangeable looks at any time. Here we will give a list of application methods, with examples from myself and other nail artists and creators, for applying your press-on nails for ideal wear times in a variety of situations.
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PHOTOSHOOT: Quick Styling
QUICK PREP with Jelly Tabs: Easy Method
With Clean and Dry hands, Begin by finding your size nails and arranging them in order.
Pushing your Cuticles back with wooden stick provided
Gently file the surface of your nail, removing the shine and roughing up the texture for better adhesion. If you want to only wear for a few minutes for a picture and then remove, you can skip this buffing step.
Alcohol wipe the nails to clean of any oils.
Grab sticky tabs off sheet and apply to the back of your press-ons,
Tab towards the cuticle for easy removal, keeping in order, then
Start by Applying your nails from your non-dominant hand, pinky first
GEL TO JELLY: Easy to Medium Method*
With Clean and Dry hands, Begin by finding your size nails and arranging them in order.
Pushing your Cuticles back with a wooden stick provided
Gently file the surface of your nail, removing the shine and roughing up the texture for better adhesion*
Alcohol wipe the nails to clean of any oils*
Beginning a gel application now: Apply Base gel polish, Cure*
Apply Top Coat Polish, Cure*
Wipe with alcohol wipe to remove inhibition layer from gel Grab sticky tabs off sheet and apply to the back of your press-ons,
Tab towards the cuticle for easy removal, keeping in order, then
Start by Applying your nails from your non-dominant hand, pinky first
*The difficulty varies from Easy to Medium, depending if you have a gel manicure done for you first (easy), or whether you do the gel manicure yourself (medium). If You plan on applying to a gel mani, you must have your nails sized with the gel mani or it may vary from your natural nail size. Also IF You have your Gel Manicure already done, just skip the steps indicated with the *asterisk.
WEDDING / SPECIAL EVENT: One Day Wear
Quick PREP Method with Glue: Easy Method
With Clean and Dry hands, Begin by finding your size nails and arranging them in order.
Pushing your Cuticles back with the wooden stick provided
Gently file the surface of your nail, removing the shine and roughing up the texture for better adhesion
Alcohol wipe the nails to clean of any oils Cut the glue open with scissors,
It is easiest to apply your nails from your non-dominant hand, pinky first
Apply a small drop of glue on your nail, and press down firmly until the nail is secure
VACATION: One Week Wear
FULL PREP Method with Glue: Medium Method
With Clean and Dry hands, Begin by finding your size nails and arranging them in order.
Pushing your Cuticles back with the wooden stick provided or with a metal tool like this one.
At this point, you may trim your cuticles, or use an e-file and a cuticle bit to prep your cuticles if you feel comfortable doing so
Gently file the surface of your nail, removing the shine and roughing up the texture for better adhesion
Alcohol wipe your natural nails to clean of any oils
Use a Nail Dehydrator such as Young Nails SWIPE to further prep the nail for adhesion
Cut the glue open with scissors, (If you find there are any gaps between your nails and the press-on, you may use sticky tabs in addition to glue)
It is easiest to apply your nails from your non-dominant hand, pinky first
Apply a small drop of glue on your nail, and a small amount on the center back area of your press on
Then Apply From the cuticle, and at an angle, press down firmly to remove any air pockets and hold until the nail is secure
EVERYDAY: Up to Two Weeks
GEL TO JELLY with GLUE Method: Easy to Medium Method
Begin by finding your size nails and arranging them in order.
Pushing your Cuticles back with wooden stick provided or with a metal tool like
At this point, you may trim your cuticles, or use an e-file and a cuticle bit to prep your cuticles if you feel comfortable doing so
Gently file the surface of your nail, removing the shine and roughing up the texture for better adhesion*
Alcohol wipe your natural nails to clean of any oils*
Use a Nail Dehydrator to further prep the nail for adhesion
Apply Base gel polish, Cure*
Apply Top Coat Polish, Cure*
Wipe with alcohol wipe to remove inhibition layer from gel*
Cut the glue open with scissors, (If you find there is any gaps between your nails and the press ons, you may use sticky tabs in addition to glue)
It is easiest to apply your nails from your non-dominant hand, pinky first
Apply a small amount of glue on your nail, and a generous amount on the center back area of your press on
Then Apply From the cuticle, and at an angle, press down firmly to remove any air pockets and hold until the nail is secure.
*The difficulty varies from Easy to Medium, depending if you have a gel manicure done for you first (easy), or whether you do the gel manicure yourself (medium). If You plan on applying to a gel mani, you must have your nails sized with the gel mani or it may vary from your natural nail size. Also IF You have your Gel Manicure already done, just skip the steps indicated with the *asterisk.
EVERYDAY: Up to a Months Worth of Wear
ACRYLIC Adherence: Medium to Advanced Method
Begin by finding your size nails and arranging them in order.
Pushing your Cuticles back with wooden stick provided or with a metal tool like
At this point, you may trim your cuticles, or use an e-file and a cuticle bit to prep your cuticles if you feel comfortable doing so
Gently file the surface of your nail, removing the shine and roughing up the texture for better adhesion*
Alcohol wipe your natural nails to clean off any natural oils*
Use the Acrylic System Nail Prep and Nail Primer/ Dehydrator like NAIL PRODUCT HERE to prep the nail for your acrylic application
It is easiest to apply your nails from your non-dominant hand, pinky first
Apply a small to a medium bead of acrylic to the center back area of your press on
Then Apply From the cuticle, and at an angle, press down firmly to remove any air pockets and hold until the acrylic cures and the press on the nail is secure
Note: All Other application methods can use a warm water, soap + oil soak to remove, while this method would require filing down the length and bulk of the nail, then soaking with 100% acetone for 10-25 minutes to remove the set. This also means the nailset would be damaged in removal, and cannot be reused.
Results may vary, as many factors play into how long a nailset can last on your nails, but trying these various methods can get you the best results for your lifestyle. You'll find that these methods give you the flexibility you need to rock your Press-On Nails anywhere with confidence!
With Love,
Moet