The easy-to-use DIY manicure staple not only saves money and time going to the salon, but it lets you customize your nail designs as often as you want.

But the one drawback to press-ons that we hear often is that they can be changed too easily — many find it hard to keep their press-on nails from popping off quickly after application. Well, that stops here, as we’re sharing five simple tips on how to make press on nails last longer.

How Do You Keep Press On Nails From Popping Off?

The key to making press-ons last like gel nails or an acrylic manicure is in the application process. Of course the quality of your adhesive is important, but there are other things you can also do to extend the life of your press-on nails.

1. Clean Your Nail Beds With the Right Product

If you have oily nail beds then you know how important it is to clean them before getting a manicure — gel, traditional or otherwise — to avoid premature chipping. Before you start your press-on set, clean your nail beds and the base of the press on nails with acetone polish remover. This will help you remove excess oil from your nail and any leftover polish or gel residue you may have on your nails from a previous manicure.

Just be careful when wiping the press-on with the remover, acetone is used to remove gel and other highly cross-linked varnishes. One light swipe inside the nail is all you need, and if you’re concerned about the quality of your press-on nails opt for non-acetone nail polish remover for this step.

2. Buff Your Nails Before Application

After you’ve fitted each nail and laid them out in front of you, take a glass nail file or a sanding block and give your natural nails a light buffing. Be gentle, the goal is just to create some texture for your nail adhesive or glue to stick to. This also helps you avoid air pockets that cause press-on nails to pop off quickly.

3. Double Glue Your Nails

You know how double cleansing your skin is beneficial to removing makeup and getting rid of impurities, dirt and pollution — this step is nothing like that in process, but it’s just as beneficial when it comes to making your press-on set last. Add a thin layer of nail glue or adhesive to your natural nail and be sure to cover it completely. Then add a drop of nail glue to the inside base of the press-on, avoiding the free edge. The glue in the press-on will naturally be drawn to the glue on your nail and they’ll grab onto each other, adding an extra layer of bonding.

Make sure you coat the nails well to avoid air bubbles as they create pockets between your nail and the press-on. If air gets into the adhesive your nails may be popping off before the end of the day — and no one wants that after all their hard work.

4. Apply Pressure for Ample Time

Simply placing the press-on nails onto your nails isn’t enough to get them to stay no matter what the packaging says. You have to apply pressure in the center of the nail for at least 10 seconds (on each nail) and pinch the sides while you do it to get the best possible nail bed fit.

5. Cure Like a Gel Manicure

We understand that some press-on sets will come already painted and designed and need no extra work once you’ve applied them. If that’s the case then you’re all done. But if your nails need to be painted then this presents another opportunity to add some staying power to your press-on nails.

After you’ve painted your nails with gel polish, cure them under a UV lamp. Cure each nail as you polish it, then cure the entire hand once you’ve completed all your nails. This will give your adhesive more hold, resulting in a press-on manicure that lasts just as long as your salon gel set. If you have a pack of pre-painted gel nails you may be able to cure those too, just check the packaging for warnings first.

When your press-ons are a week old, give them a light top coat to freshen up the color and keep them looking new.

Can You Put Gel Over Press On Nails?

Like we said above, if you’re using press-ons that need to be painted once applied it’s okay to put gel polish over them and cure them under a UV lamp. If you’re using pre-painted press-on nails, be careful as the gel could ruin your nails. Check with the brand before you cure pre-designed press-ons and if it won’t present an issue, cure away.

How Long Do Press On Nails Usually Last?

A set of press-on nails will typically last for about one week but if you follow the tips above and take care of your nails they could stay intact for two to three weeks (or until you remove them). If you want to remove press-on nails before they come off on their own, be sure to follow the proper steps like you would when removing gel nails or removing acrylic nails and follow up with hand care to keep your natural nails looking and feeling healthy.

Source: lorealparisusa

Written By Shalwah Evans

Image: Pexels

The post 5 Tips to Make Your Press-On Nails Last for Weeks appeared first on NK Beauty.

While both of these options are a great way to try out various nail trends, locking down the right style and technique for you is easier said than done.

With risks of chipped nail polish, broken nails and more, making the right selection is key for ensuring your nails go the distance. Below, we’re breaking down the differences between gel and acrylic nails, so you know what to ask for at your next manicure appointment.

What Are Gel Nails?

Before we get deep into the gel nails vs. acrylic nails discussion, let’s recap the basics of what you get with each. Gel nails are made through a three-step process, which consists of brushing a base coat, nail polish, and top coat over your natural nails.

With each coat, the nail is placed under a UV light for somewhere between 30 seconds and two minutes to cure (dry). Once cured, the layer of gel polish hardens and won’t smudge like traditional nail polish. The final result is nails that sport a glossy finish and freshly manicured look. You can use gel polish on your natural nails or on nail extensions, also called tips.

What Are Acrylic Nails?

Acrylic nails are made of a combination of liquid and powder that’s laid over your nail with a brush. Once the mixture is applied, your nails are filed and shaped to emulate the look of natural nails.

After your acrylic nails are shaped, each nail is typically painted with a regular base coat, nail polish color, and finished with a top coat. Nails are then set under a fan to dry. Acrylic can also be applied to tips or to your natural nails, though they can weaken your nails with prolonged use.

Editor’s tip: You can actually mix the two styles and get gel polish cured over your acrylic nails for the ultimate manicure that has strength and long wear.

What’s The Difference Between Gel And Acrylic Nails?

Although gel and acrylic nails can provide similar results, there are key differences with each nail style. As we mentioned, gel nails typically consist of brushing coats of polish on your natural nails and are cured with a UV lamp. The process is much faster than applying acrylic, especially because drying is instant, and the nails often look more natural. These days you can find online kits that let you get gel nails right at home. Once complete, gel nails will usually last for around 14 days without chipping. Toward the end of this period, they may start to peel or lift at the corners.

When you’re ready to remove gel nails, all you need to do is soak them off and you’re good to go. Typically, a cotton ball soaked in acetone is placed over the nail, then each nail is wrapped in aluminum foil. After 10 minutes, the gel polish is easily able to be removed. While gel nails can be prone to peeling, they are known to be more flexible than acrylic nails, although be warned that both styles run the risk of damaging your natural nails with continuous wear.

On the flip side, acrylic nails provide a hard, protective layer due to the powder and liquid hybrid mixture they’re created with. Since acrylic nails are durable, you typically don’t have to worry about your nails cracking, breaking, or lifting while you have the acrylics (you may even notice that your natural nails grow longer and faster with acrylics).

However, they’re not foolproof and if you do lot’s of work with your hands (think typing, washing dishes, working out with weights) there is the potential for them to break. Acrylic nails can also look bulky if your tech doesn’t take the time to smooth them down to look more natural. If you’re using regular nail polish over acrylic, drying time can take a while, so you may want to tune into your favorite podcast while you sit in the salon and wait. These nails are also challenging to remove without damaging your nail beds.

To keep your acrylic set intact, you’ll have to refill your nails every few weeks. And once you remove acrylic nails, you’re often left with nails that are long but weak. You’ll have to wait for the damaged nails to grow out to get your nails back in shape.

Typically, acrylic nails are removed in the salon by a nail technician, whereas gel nails can be removed at home with ease. If you try to remove either without taking proper steps, you can be left with broken and brittle claws. So if you’re wondering, which is worse for you nails between gel and acrylic, they both have the potential to damage your nails if worn continuously or removed improperly, and they both can look stunning when done well.

Source: lorealparisusa

Image: Pexels

The post What’s the Difference Between Gel Nails and Acrylic Nails? appeared first on NK Beauty.