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I haven’t gotten a professional manicure since before my daughter was born in early 2021. Prior to that, I had my nails filed, buffed and polished on a weekly basis. But between work, raising kids, taking care of a dog and a house, there’s zero time left for things like trips to the salon. Instead, I turn to press-on nails whenever I have an occasion that calls for a more pulled-together look.
More recently I’ve considered increasing how often I apply press-ons. And, of course, with recent economic strain, the affordable nails are gaining popularity since they cost significantly less than regular trips to the salon. There are also so many different colors and designs to choose from, plus they’re relatively easy to apply, which also saves time. My only pause? I don’t want to wreck my nails — I’ve always wondered if press-ons are damaging.
To get the answer to that question, I turned to two experts who explained what part of the press-ons process actually damages your nails, and how to avoid it. Read on for everything they had to say, along with a list of nails that I (and my press-on wearing colleagues) recommend for anyone who’s ready to step into the world of press-on nails.
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Are press-ons bad for your nails?
In short, press-on nails aren’t inherently bad for your nails. “From what I’ve seen in my patients, the nails themselves don’t usually cause the problem, it’s user error,” says Dr. Hannah Kopelman, a board-certified dermatologist at DermOnDemand and host of the podcast Derm Club.
The biggest user error? “Constantly wearing them back-to-back and never giving your natural nails a break,” says Kopelman. “That’s when I start to see brittleness, peeling and even infections around the cuticle.” But if you use them in moderation, Kopelman says they can be a safe way to change up your look.
But the glue used to apply press-on nails can also cause problems. “Many of these adhesives are basically medical-grade superglue,” says Kopelman. “For some people, especially those with sensitive skin, that can trigger irritation or even an allergic reaction.” If you are constantly layering glue, it can also dry out the nail plate and make it weaker over time.
Another issue is when there are gaps between your natural nail and press-on due to glue not being applied properly. “These gaps will hold water and dirt from normal everyday use and can cause fungus,” says Jacqueline Pham, a celebrity manicurist for Color Street. To that point, application will have a big impact on whether your natural nails are damaged or infected.
How to safely apply press-on nails
Now that you know how press-ons can damage nails, it’s time to learn some tips on how to apply them so that you can avoid that. Below, find application strategies from experts that prevent damage:
- Don’t over-buff: Most press-on nail kits will tell you to buff nails before applying glue — this gives the glue a surface to adhere to. “Avoid over-buffing,” says Kopelman. “Just smooth the surface lightly. Over-buffing thins the nail and makes it way more vulnerable.”
- Add a base coat: “To protect and help the adhesion, I recommend using a layer of gel base coat before applying glue with the press on nails,” says Pham. Not only does this prevent the glue from drying out your nail plate, removing the press on nails with the base gel layer will prevent stripping your natural nails.
- Pick the right glue: The glue you use is making the most contact with your nails, so you want to make sure it is safe and non-damaging. Look for a glue that is free of formaldehyde, which can cause contact dermatitis and nail damage. Instead, look for glues made with ethyl cyanoacrylate, which creates a strong bond without wrecking nails, according to experts.
- Go easy on the glue: You may be tempted to layer on the glue to ensure the press-ons stay put. Ignore that instinct. Keep the glue minimal to help prevent damage, says Kopelman.
- Take breaks: Most press-on nails last for around two weeks. After you’ve worn a set for that long, don’t apply new ones right away. Instead, give your nails a breather for a week or two before applying a new set.
The best press-ons that won’t damage your nails
There are tons of press-on nails on the market. To some degree, finding the best for your needs has to do with finding a nail length and color or design that speaks to you. To help you narrow it down, we gathered options based on expert guidance and rounded up NBC Select favorites, as well as highly rated picks.
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 more than 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 the best 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.
“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.
“I have small nails due to years of biting them and they’re one of the only brands that actually fit well,” says NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio, who is a fan. “I love the brand’s designs, they have nails for literally every occasion.”
Another adhesive option, this set comes with 30 nails (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 your 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.
Olive & June makes press ons of different styles but NBC Select senior editor Shalwah Evans likes these oval-shaped ones. “I usually don’t do oval shapes but these are just so pretty that I had to take a chance,” she says. “If you just need them for one day you can use the tabs, which won’t damage nails at all. Besides the standout look, that’s one of my favorite things about them. But if you want them for longer wear, use glue because they will pop off with just tabs. That’s not what you want in the middle of a workday or vacation.”
Evans has repurchased these nails several times. She says she loves the high-shine gel finish and the salon-like almond shape. “They’re not so short that they make my hands look stubby, but also not so long that I can’t text or type, which is big for me since I literally type for a living,” she says. Each pack comes with 24 nails in various sizes, so that you can find your best fit and also have enough nails leftover for another set.
“I was recently introduced to Nail Reformation’s nails and I love them. I prefer a medium-shape almond nail, but I like that it offers various shapes and lengths,” says Evans. “I love a set with a different design for each nail and a color scheme, so the fruit cocktail set is one of my favorites. The spring/summer theme is so cute for the current season and there are enough nails in the pack for me to find a good fit. Plus, with the right glue, they stay put for as long as I want them to.”
Evans says that Etsy has become one of her top spots for finding press-on nails with designs that rival the work of professional nail techs at the salon. “The nails are clearly done by real artists who are putting their work on this medium,” she says. “Every time I wear a pair of nails that I got from Etsy, people ask me who did my nails. The artwork is unmatched, the nails feel so high quality, and I’ve never had one pop off of me.”
There are lots of press-on sellers on the Etsy marketplace and Evans buys from different ones. She says she likes lots of sets from this seller, especially the summertime-themed nails they have available right now.
How to safely remove press-on nails
Applying press-ons correctly is important, but so is how you remove them. “Removal is where I see most of the damage happen,” says Kopelman. “People get impatient and just rip or peel the nails off — that almost always takes a layer of your real nail with it.”
“[Instead], apply lotion or oil around the fingers and cuticle area, then use acetone to soak and patiently wait for the product to disintegrate to avoid excess filing,” says Pham. The easiest way to do this is to fill a small bowl with acetone and simply dip nails in the bowl until you feel the press-ons start to loosen.
Alternatively, there are nail glue removers available. These tend to have a thin metal tip that allows you to find gaps between the faux nail and your nail and squeeze the remover into that area to soften the glue enough for you to remove the nail.
The best nail glue that won’t damage your nails
As mentioned, when it comes to applying press-ons that last a long time but don’t damage your nails, you want to look for a glue that is free from formaldehyde. Ideally, the glue you choose will be made with ethyl cyanoacrylate, which creates a strong bond without wrecking nails, according to experts. Below, find formaldehyde-free options that are either highly rated or come recommended by NBC Select editors
This nail glue is semi-sold, which shoppers say makes it easier and less messy to apply. It is formaldehyde-free and dries quickly. It also helps your nails last for a long time. “My nails lasted for a month with this glue, which still needed remover when I was ready to take off my press-ons,” Evans says. “I could type, box, text, cook and do anything I wanted without worrying that my nails would pop off at the wrong time. I’ve already bought two more bottles.”
This is my go-to nail glue. I love the brush-on applicator — it feels easier to control than the type of glue that you have to squeeze into your nails. It’s also small enough that I can travel with it, ensuring that I don’t lose a nail while on vacation. I find that it is gentle on my nails and dries very quickly.
At less than $3, this nail glue is the most affordable on the list. It has a pointed tip applicator, so you just need to squeeze a dot onto each nail before applying your press-ons. It helps nails last for at least a week, in some cases two, according to Evans, who used to use this exclusively when she first started doing her own nails. Shoppers agree, saying that the bond is strong and they find it to be very dependable.
Meet our experts
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.
- Dr. Hannah Kopelman is a dermatologist at DermOnDemand and host of the podcast Derm Club.
- Jacqueline Pham is a celebrity manicurist for Color Street.
Why trust NBC Select?
I am a commerce editor at NBC Select and a journalist who regularly covers wellness, beauty, home and lifestyle. I have written about the best spring travel dresses, beauty pillows and more. For this story, I spoke with two nail experts, and NBC Select’s resident press-ons aficionado, about press-on nails.
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