Image Credits: Dashing Diva Instagram
As a perfectionist, I want my nails to look flawless, but I’m also clumsy and uncoordinated, making DIYing the perfect manicure at home a tricky proposition. After years of spilling nail polish all over my fingers and immediately reaching for a bottle of nail polish remover, I had my world rocked by discovering press-on nails.
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If you don’t already know, press-on nails are artificial nails made of acrylic resin. They come in a bunch of different colors, sizes, and designs so you can get the same look as a $50 salon manicure, when in reality you spent under $10 at Ulta and never even left your couch. The big benefit is that they support your nail health by being much less damaging than acrylics or gel polish.
Press-on nails are also a low-stakes way to play around with bold nail looks. Want to try out glittery tips or flower decals for just one night? Grab some glue-on nails from brands like Dashing Diva and Kiss so you can experiment all you want.
How to Apply Press-on Nails at Home
Check out this tutorial for clear instructions on how to apply the classic beauty product at home. The process is pretty straightforward: Use an alcohol prep pad to cleanse your fingernails, cut the press-ons to your nail size, then smooth the stickers firmly in place. Once you’re done, you can easily remove press-on nails by soaking your fingers in warm, soapy water, applying any of these cuticle oils, and peeling them off—or you could just dab on some nail polish remover, then slowly pull off the press-ons.
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Because press-on nails are so versatile and easy to apply, they’re actually frequently spotted on the hands of A-listers like Jennifer Lopez, Ariana Grande, and Blake Lively. After all, sometimes celebrities debut several outfit (and nail) changes in one night. Chrissy Teigen even took to Instagram to discuss how press-on nails “changed her life,” which is both relatable and inspiring. Below, discover the best press-on nails so you, too, can change your life—or at least have killer manicures 24/7.
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