$17.99
Glamnetic
Do press-ons damage your nails? Experts weigh in
You have to consider the length of time in between wear, the glue you’re using and more to optimize your nail health, experts say.
These are my go-to press-ons. I like that Glamnetic has different shapes and lengths available — I’m a fan of their super short option, but the brand also has almond, squoval, coffin, square and more. I’ve gotten these to last on my nails for over two weeks and love that they have both solid colors and designs available. In a pack, you get 30 nails with 15 different sizes, which helps ensure you get a perfect fit.
If you’re on a budget, these nails from Kiss are a good option. They’re painted to look like you have a French manicure and they come in a squoval shape. Each nail has a little tab on the tip that makes them easier to apply. Once you’ve put them on your nails and the glue is dry, simply twist those tabs off as your final step. The set comes with glue, a nail file and a manicure stick and it has a 4.5-star average rating from over 10,615 reviews on Amazon.
OPI makes one of our favorite nail strengtheners and their press-on nails are equally good. They will give you up to 14 days of wear and are reusable. To get the longest wear possible, apply glue to the back of the nail and to your natural nail, according to the brand. These nails have a 4.4-star average rating from over 235 reviews on Amazon.
“Press-ons that use sticky adhesive tabs are much gentler on the nail,” says Kopelman. “They don’t last as long, but if you just want nails for a night out or a special occasion, that’s the way to go.” These come in 11 colors and are a short squoval shape. The adhesive is already stuck to each nail, so you just have to peel off the protective layer and stick them to your natural nails. These press-ons have a 4.4-star average rating from over 1,965 reviews on Amazon.
Another adhesive option, this set comes with 30 nails in 15 sizes. The nails are made of gel, giving them a glossy finish and application takes less than 10 minutes, according to the brand. The nails are also designed to be flexible, so they don’t put pressure on our nails, according to BTArtbox. The set comes with both adhesive and glue — pick one or to make them last for as long as possible, you can use both at the same time. These nails have a 4.4-star average rating from over 4,815 reviews on Amazon.
At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and experience. We also ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Bethany Heitman is a contributor at NBC Select and a journalist who regularly covers beauty, home and lifestyle. For this story, she interviewed two experts about press-on nails.
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