Why I Love Press-On Nails So Much (and You Should, Too)

STEP 1: Prep Your Nails

The key to applying press-on nails and making them look, well, not like press-ons, is giving yourself a nice little manicure before hand. This entails removing any old polish, trimming and filing the edges, and most importantly, pushing back your cuticles. Once you finish with your prep work, make sure your nails are clean and dry.

STEP 2: Find the Correct Nail Size

The KISS press-on nail sets (my personal favourite) come with teeny, tiny numbers of the back of each nail to indicate the size. Once you find your perfect fit on one hand, you can locate the matching numbered nails for the other. You want the press-on nail to cover your entire nail-bed without hanging over on either side. I find laying all ten fake nails out in finger order on the table in front of me the easiest way to work.

STEP 3: Glue Them On

When it comes to the application method, you can use the adhesive nail stickers that come with certain kits or acrylic nail glue to apply your nails. I've tested both — the stickers are faster but the nail glue gives a better hold; it's a matter of personal preference. If you go with the adhesive stickers, tweezers are a big help in peeling off the plastic and sticking them to your natural nail; for the acrylic glue, just be careful not to get too much on your skin because it's hard to remove.

One finger at a time, match the press-on nail up with your nail-bed before pressing it into place; hold for about ten seconds to really make it stick. Work from your pinky fingers in and leave the thumbs for last — this will make your life so much easier.

STEP 4: Shape the Press-On Nails, If Needed

My biggest tip for making press-on nails look real and making them last: shape them. Many fake nail sets are very long or very pointy. If you're not used to nails like this or you want a different style, all you have to do is take a pair of nail clippers and a file, and shape them the way you like. Plastic press-on nails are surprisingly easy to cut.

STEP 5: Nail Them (Optional)

If you opt for a plain set of press-on nails but aren't in love with the colour, you can paint them. Or, if you want long nails for your next professional salon appointment, you can bring your own press-on nail kit and ask the manicurist to apply and paint them for you.

This, along with practice applying them, will help your fake press-on nails look real and last longer.