Press-on nails have brought an extraordinary change to the cosmetic industry. You no longer need to wait for an appointment and spend hours in a nail salon. You also don’t need to wait for your nail polish to dry.
That’s because press-on nails may be applied at the convenience of your home. Also, the press on nails proves to be a better fit as manicure services tend to be more damaging and lead to chipping.
Like manicures, press-on nails last for around two weeks. But what if there was a way to make your press-on nails last twice as long without going to the salon? You’re at the right place! This blog post will share a few easy-to-do nail tips to help your press-on nails last long.
Let’s get into details without any further ado.
How to Make Press on Nails Last: Top 10 Tips
Here is a list of Top 10 prep tips to use press-ons correctly and to make them last longer than usual. So, let’s begin:
1. Remove Excess Cuticles
It is essential to prep your nails and skin before beginning the procedure.
The skin surrounding the top area of the nail is the cuticle. Before applying press on nails, you must ensure the excess cuticles are removed, and the dead cuticle skin is pushed back. You may do it using a cuticle pusher. And later, apply cuticle oil to keep them healthy.
This process allows the nail glue to bond evenly to the entire nail bed. This eventually aids the press on nails to settle on the nail bed without causing any irritation. And as it would fit well, it would also tend to last long.
2. Buff Your Natural Nails’ Surface
Buffing helps ensure that your natural nail plates are free from natural oil and dirt. This, in turn, provides a clean space for the press-ons to stick onto. And eventually allows them to have a firmer grip, which helps them to last long. You may use a nail buffer to do the same.
Also, do not forget to file your real nail for all the fingers, one at a time. You may also apply a clear top coat for a better grip.
3. Wash Your Hands With Warm, Soapy Water
This is an effortless yet crucial step before applying press-on nails. Wash your hands and soak them in soapy, warm water to clean the surface of your nail beds. It not only aids in removing the dirt but also the natural oil.
This oil is necessary for hydration, but the greasy surface does not allow the glue to stick correctly, leading to a weak bond between natural and artificial nails.
So, if you want your nail set to last longer, do not miss out on washing your hands and nails.
4. Clean Your Natural Nails
This is an extension of the ‘washing your hands’ step. Once you’re done washing your hands, you must rub your nails with a cotton pad soaked in acetone or non-acetone nail polish remover. The purpose remains to eliminate the natural oils from your nails.
Also, to help the false nails get glued firmly. And further, ensure your press-on nails last a good number of days.
5. Clip Your Nails Shorter
It is crucial to provide your false nails with a suitable base. So, to avoid any hindrance for the press on nails, it is suggested that you trim the length of your natural nails short. The dual layers may be painful and uncomfortable if you leave them long.
Eventually, it could reduce the timespan to hold the long length of press-on nails.
6. Use the Right Fake Nail Size for Your Finger
Press-on nails come in a wide array of shapes and sizes. You must ensure that you pick the suitable sizes for your fingernails before you start applying them already.
And the reason behind this is that if the size is not apt for your nails, they will start coming off from the sides and eventually loosen up too early.
You should select a size roughly half a millimeter smaller than your cuticles. This way, it would fit perfectly and look natural. And it’d also help them stay for long.
7. Use a High-Quality Nail Glue
Sound quality nail glue is essential for long-lasting press-on nails and for your natural nails to remain in good health. These are worth their prices as they make your press-ons experience relatively hassle-free.
It holds the acrylics almost like they are your natural nails only. And because of the high quality, they hold the capability to retain the press-on nails for a good period without damaging your skin or nails.
All you need to do is apply just a drop of nail glue to your natural fingernail and the press-on nail. Not more than that.
8. Be Gentle
While putting the fake nails, ensure an ample amount of pressure is applied. If lesser pressure is used, the nails will not get stuck firm enough to stay for long.
On the other hand, if too much pressure is applied, your natural nails may get damaged, as there would not be any space for them to breathe. It would lead to discomfort.
9. Start With Your Non-Dominant Hand
Even though press-on nails do not involve a time-consuming procedure like manicure, it requires time for the press-ons to completely dry.
It is recommended by stylists that you start the procedure before the sleeping schedule. Also, begin with your non-dominant hand. This ensures that your dominant hand is accessible to the rescue if any fixing is needed.
By the time all the nails are glued on the one hand, allow it some time to partially dry, and then you may begin with the dominant hand. Allow ample time to dry the glue, and meanwhile, avoid doing any tasks that may displace the nails or cause damage.
10. Avoid water
With constant contact with water, the glue gradually becomes ineffective. And, if the fake nails are not dried from time to time, the moisture will settle between the layers of your artificial and natural nails.
This may reduce the sticking power of your glue, causing the press on nails to come off early.
Hence, avoiding as much contact as possible is suggested; if you do, dry them well using a hand drier.
Why Do My Press On Nails Keep Popping Off?
Your press on nails may be popping off due to any of the following reasons:
- You may not have washed and cleansed the nail well.
- The cuticles may not have been pushed back as recommended.
- The glue had expired.
- The press-on nails used were more significant in size than the natural ones.
- Or you may have put your hands in water even before letting the glue dry completely.
Lasting Press-on Nails FAQ
How Long Do Press-on Nails Normally Last?
Press-on nails usually last for two weeks. They may last longer if taken care of nicely and kept at a distance from moisture. And by following all the necessary steps mentioned in the blog. Making press-on nails last for a month could be on your tips.
How Long Do Press on Nails Last Without Glue
These are more of a short period alternative. While fashion tapes would allow nails to last for around 24 hours only, adhesive strips can help them stay for around a week. It also depends upon how carefully you treat the nails post-application.
The best you can do is to avoid swimming or any water activity as much as possible.
Conclusion
Press-on nails are a boon for all the false nail fanatics who wish to keep up to date in fashion. These nails allow you to change the style very frequently at your convenience.
These nails are cost-effective and easy to use. And lastly, they’re less damaging than salon manicures.
You may extend their lifespan by a proper prep of your natural nails correctly. You must wash your hands with warm water, push the cuticles back and apply the cuticle oil to keep them healthy. Also, wipe the nail plate with rubbing alcohol.
You must trim your natural fingernails and buff them to create a smooth base. You must select the correct size for all fingers before applying them. Different shape options are available for varying nail sizes, such as round, square and oval nails.
Much pressure must be applied on the press-ons for 10-20 seconds to allow them to sit and get press-on correctly glued.