In 2020, I remember when the pandemic first started and everyone had to be on lockdown. A lot of nail businesses and salons were closed, and people were not able to book in-person appointments to physically get their nails done. At that time, I witnessed nail techs and nail artists offering press-ons on social media as a solution to that problem of not physically offering nail services, where someone can order a bespoke set of nails online, and the nails would be sent right to their door along with directions for nail care and nail application. Because of the pandemic, the demand of press-on nails had risen at an all-time high. A lot of nail brands ranging from Aprés Nail, Kiara Sky and The GelBottle now offer a wide range of gel nail tips full or half well style, in different nail shapes and sizes.
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Press-on nails have been a worldwide phenomenon in the nail industry in the past few years.
In 2020, I remember when the pandemic first started and everyone had to be on lockdown. A lot of nail businesses and salons were closed, and people were not able to book in-person appointments to physically get their nails done. At that time, I witnessed nail techs and nail artists offering press-ons on social media as a solution to that problem of not physically offering nail services, where someone can order a bespoke set of nails online, and the nails would be sent right to their door along with directions for nail care and nail application. Because of the pandemic, the demand of press-on nails had risen at an all-time high. A lot of nail brands ranging from Aprés Nail, Kiara Sky and The GelBottle now offer a wide range of gel nail tips full or half well style, in different nail shapes and sizes.
History of Artificial Nails
Artificial nails have been one of the most prominent nail services in the nail industry for over five decades. Artificial nail enhancements range from liquid and powder, gel enhancements and press-on nails. Artificial nails came into fruition during the mid-1950s when dentist Dr. Frederick Slack used dental acrylic to sculpt an artificial nail with aluminum foil after injuring his thumbnail. Twenty years forward in time, Dr. Slack joined forces with his son Rick to create the nail brand NSI, which is known as Nail Systems International, selling a variation of acrylic and UV gel products. Fast forward to the 1970s and 1980s, there was a rise in acrylic nails. Over a period of time, due to the advancement of technology, acrylics became more durable. They can be buffed and styled to look like natural nails. There was also an offering of different nail styles, one of which was the French manicure, created by Jeff Pink, where the tips of the nails are painted white and the nail bed was a natural shade of pink.
Press-On Benefits
There are many benefits of press-on nails. It is an alternative to getting an official nail enhancement that would stay on for three weeks or more. The client can wear the press-on nails at any time and on any occasion. They are easy to apply and easier to remove than with a nail enhancement, which you would have to file and soak off for long periods of time in acetone.
You have a selection of choices of adhesion, ranging from using nail tabs, nail glue or builder gel. Press-on nail tips can cause less damage to the natural nail plate if applied and removed properly. Beyond wearing your press-ons on both of your hands, you can also have them as displayed art in the comfort of your own home or have them as jewelry. Another way that they are used are in worldwide nail competitions, ranging from handpainted art and fantasy style nails. We see that different fashion brands, such as the Blonds, use press-on nails to compliment their runway collections, and famous celebrities rock them at award shows and red carpet events.
Press-On Prep
Prepping the foundation of your nail plates is crucial for having long-lasting press-on nail enhancements that go beyond two weeks.
One of the most important steps is to prep your nails by cleaning your nails of any debris and oil. You can use a nail dehydrator, such as alcohol or acetone. Be sure to buff your nails to get rid of the natural nail shine. This really helps the nails to adhere successfully to the nail plate.
Be sure to remember that overfiling the nails can cause your nails to weaken. The result can be rings of fire or splinter hemorrages, which are small splinter spots of blood that appear on the nail plate that can be caused by improper nail prep. When sizing your nails, be sure that they fit side wall to side wall. One way you can size is taking a measuring tape and measure side wall to side wall with milimeters. Another way of sizing for press-on nails is through using a dime. This is a nail hack that was created by celebrity nail artist Gracie J, aka the Editorial Nail. This sizing technique uses a dime to help determine the sizing of the press-on nails for each finger. You can also purchase a sizing kit that contains all sizes of the artificial nails and size them using the sample kit before ordering a custom set.
Press-On Application
- Push back the cuticles and buff nails for successful adhesion of the press on nail tip application.
- Clean the nails with alcohol or nail cleanser.
- Measure each of the nails for nail tip sizing from side wall to side wall. You can use a measuring tape or use nail tips you’ve already have against the natural nails to help you get the correct sizing for each finger.
- After sizing, you have the option of using nail glue, builder base gel or nail tabs for the adhesion of all 10 press-on nail tips.
- Apply your press on nail tips.
Proper Removal
If you want to preserve your custom nail set, it is important that you perform proper press-on nail removal. An article from Nailboo.com titled “How to Remove Press On Nails: Three Different Ways” discusses the benefits of proper removal, such as maintaining the strength of the nail plate, preventing infections and the ability to reuse the press-on nail set.
They also discuss the ways to remove press-on nails, which include the use of soaking your nails in warm soapy water and using a natural oil. If the nails are removed improperly, it can cause nails to weaken and become brittle.
Press-On Removal
Option 1:
- Soak nails in warm soapy water and oil for 15 minutes.
- If the nails feel they are loose enough, slowly start to remove each nail tip. You may use a cuticle stick to help remove each press-on nail tip.
- Use your cuticle stick and slowly remove the adhesive tabs from the natural nails.
- Buff any excess sticky tab left over.
- Once your natural nails are cleared of the sticky tab adhesive, apply cuticle oil to replenish the nails.
Option 2:
- Soak your press-on nails in acetone for 15 to 20 minutes.
- After the nails have been completely soaked and melted, use a cuticle stick/pusher to further remove the nails.
- Buff any excess from the natural nails.
- File nails and apply cuticle oil to replenish the natural nails.
Here To Stay
In this day and age, press-on nails have transcended so far beyond your average store bought nails. Press-on nails can range from being the most simplest nail shape and color to something out of the box and fashion forward. As a nail artist that has a love for nail artistry, I have interviewed nail artists that are in the press-on nail business, and we all agree that press-on nails have grown so much in popularity now than a decade ago. Without a doubt, press-on nails will definitely be here to stay and will never go out of style.
About the Author:
Asia Bloodworth is a licensed cosmetologist, illustrator, graphic artist, podcaster and native Washingtonian that lives in the D.C. Metropolitan Area. She earned her cosmetology license in 2015 and her bachelor of fine arts in illustration from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2019. She has her own podcast, Nails and Beauty Talk, on YouTube, where she interviews nail professionals and covers topics ranging from nails and fashion to crypto and Web3.
