Press On Nail Guide

I was totally the salon girlie, dedicated to my nail tech, going in every 3 to 4 weeks to get my acrylic fill and fresh color. I tried the dips, acrylic, solar… you name it.

💳 Each visit was $65 + Tip, if not more!

💸 Now, I spend may $1.36, $2.42 and my favorite set is $2.76 on SHEIN… If I shop on Amazon I might be spending $5-8 dollars on a set.

The girl math is wild! I save about a $1,000+ a year doing my own press ons!

(52 weeks / going ever 3 weeks = 17.33. Rounding 18 x $65 + Tip = $1,386)

It depending on quality and how much you want to spend:

• SHEIN: I’ve had great luck. I love the variety of color, designs, styles and they are the most affordable.

• ULTA: Has a great selection of Glamnetics.

• TJ Max: In the beauty section you can find fun sets

• Then of course you have Amazon, Etsy, CVS, Target, etc.

~ THE LOLA METHOD ~

#1: Size and Fit

• I like to lay out all the nails (usually you get 24 in a set) from smallest to largest.

• I start with my left hand, from my pinky to my thumb, and match each nail with the right press-on.

• If it’s slightly big, you just file the sides of the press on to fit your natural nail.

  • It’s better to go a tiny bit bigger and shape it than to go smaller.

• Then I match my right hand, again pinky to thumb.

• I lay out the final 10 I’ve selected so I know which press-on goes where.

#2: Nail Prep

• I file my natural nail short.

• I push back any cuticles.

• I lightly buff the surface of each nail so the glue has something to grip to.

• I then shape any press-ons that need shaping to match my natural nail bed.

#3: Clean

• I wash and dry my hands, no soap.

• I use an alcohol pad to dry each nail bed and remove any oils.

#4: Glue ~ One nail at a time!

This glue means business so do be careful.

• I paint two coats of glue onto my natural nail bed.

• Hold the press on at the tip, align it with your natural nail from cuticle to tip

  • Make sure its straight, before you press down.

  • Place the base of the press on at your cuticle and then lower it to the tip of your nail at a 45* angle.

    • This helps to avoid bubbles.

#5: Press and Hold

• Gently press and hold the nail for 20 seconds while the glue cures.

• I use a little square of toilet paper to wipe away any extra glue that may come out the sides.

*Pro-Tip: I start with my right hand: pinky, ring, middle, first. Then my left hand. Leave your thumbs last as you are pressing all the other nails on and you want them to cure last.

Solidly 2 weeks! Showering, dishes, typing, you name it. If one comes lose or pops off you just buff the nail and glue it back!

Honestly if you take care of them, they could easily last a month.

I like to change mine weekly because I love having a new design or color or length.

• Avoid getting your nails or hands wet at least an hour after gluing them.

• Wear kitchen gloves when doing dishes or cleaning

• Don’t pound on them… (I say that but I use them as tools for jewelry making, I type endlessly…)

Best Practices:

• Don’t bite or chew them off… while satisfying, avoid this.

• Don’t pick at them or pry them off.

• Glamnetics has a press on nail glue remover. It works but I get impatient.

• I like to just take a really hot shower, lift a little of the nail edge, usually around the cuticle. Then take dental floss and just go between the press on and your natural nail pulling from the cuticle to the tip and they pop right off.

• No UV Lights

• No polish chipping

• No nails breaking - Unless you do something real wild. Just get another one from the original set an replace it.

• If you lose a nail in public, just go to the rest room and glue the thing back on.