Guide · Application
How to apply press-on nails properly
Ten minutes, start to finish — done before your coffee cools.
The short answer: prep is everything. Buff each nail until the shine goes matte, wipe away every trace of dust and oil, then press each nail on at a 45-degree angle — 10 seconds with adhesive tabs, 30 seconds with glue. Keep hands out of water for 2 hours afterwards.
Step 1 — Prep (this decides how long they last)
Push back your cuticles with the cuticle stick. Buff each natural nail lightly until the surface loses its shine. Wipe with the prep wipe and let it dry. Oil and dust are what break the bond — a clean, matte nail is a nail that holds for weeks.
Step 2 — Choose tabs or glue
Adhesive tabs give 1–3 days per wear and come off cleanly — perfect for events, weekends, or rotating between sets. Choose a tab slightly smaller than your nail bed, smooth it on, and peel the cover. Warming each tab with a hairdryer for a few seconds makes the bond noticeably stronger.
Nail glue gives 2–3 weeks of full-time wear, showers and gym included. Use a pea-size drop on the back of the press-on — more glue does not mean more hold.
Step 3 — The 45-degree press
Line the press-on up against your cuticle at a 45-degree angle, lower it flat onto the nail, and press: 10 seconds for tabs, a full 30 for glue. Work thumb-last — it's easiest with your other fingers done.
Step 4 — Let the bond cure
No water for 2 hours. After that, live normally.
Removal — never peel, always soak
Soak your hands in warm soapy water with a drop of oil: 5–10 minutes for tabs, 10–15 for glue. Lift gently from the sides with the cuticle stick. Never force a nail or peel a dry set, and skip acetone entirely — it clouds the gel and it's not needed. Done right, removal leaves your natural nails exactly as they were.