Press-on nails solve a big issue for me when it comes to nails, and it’s that nail salons can be expensive! I love having manicured nails because they complete a look and can help you look chic and sophisticated, but not everyone can afford to maintain them throughout the year.
Instead, press-on nails are inexpensive and you don’t have to be a nail expert to use them. They have an array of amazing benefits that we will dive into and explore why they might be just the thing you’ve been missing from your life!
Introduction to Press-On Nails
If you don’t already know, press-on nails give you the look of glossy gel manicures without having to take the trip to the salon. Instead, you buy a set of acrylic nails that already look painted with the gloss finish of gel nails and put them on in the comfort of your own home. There are so many brands of press-on nails that I’m sure you will find a design or style you love, from blinged-out to nude nail designs, and coffin to almond-shaped nails.
In a set of press-on nails, there are usually around 30 nails of different sizes that will hopefully fit your nails and sometimes they come with everything you need. For example, a nail dehydrator wipe, nail file and glue, or adhesive tabs.
I remember the first time I found out about press-on nails, this girl told me she did her nails herself and I was astounded, “how did she do that?” and then she told me it took her less than 10 minutes, and I was absolutely flabbergasted. There are so many reasons to use press-on nails, I can’t wait to share them with you, so let’s get started.
The 11 Benefits of Using Press-On Nails
1. The Cost-Effective Advantage of Press-On Nails
Perhaps the most significant benefit of using press-on nails is how budget-friendly they are. Traditional salon manicures often cost upwards of $50 or more which is a big blow in your budget monthly, and that’s not even including tips. You could always try to do gel manicures for yourself at home, but starting materials are expensive and it takes skill to get the result you want.
On the other hand, press-on nails can cost between $5 to $20, depending on the brand and you are sure to have beautiful nail polish. That’s a fraction of the cost of a regular manicure! Plus, remember that manicures usually only last 2 to 3 weeks before you need to get a fill and visit your nail salon again. That’s an average of $100 per week, or $1200 a year!
In addition, press-on nails are usually reusable, as long as you don’t accidentally get glue on the surface or bend them. Also, because each nail set has around 30 nails, if one of the press-on nails falls off, you could easily replace them. This makes press-on nails an economical alternative for those who want to have stunning nails without spending a fortune.
2. Time-Saving Convenience
Press-on nails are a huge time saver compared to traditional manicures. I’ve timed myself at a nail salon, and even the simplest of gel manicures takes at least 45 minutes from start to finish. Add nail extensions to that and the time it takes to get to the nail salon and it’s easily over an hour and a half.
In comparison, press-on nails can be done in as little as 10 to 15 minutes and you don’t need much guidance. It’s as simple as finding the fake nails that fit your nail bed, applying glue, and sticking the right nail on your nail bed.
Press-on nails essentially give you a salon-quality manicure in the comfort of your own home, without having to wait in line or schedule an appointment.
3. The Versatility of Press-On Nails
There are so many press-on nail brands that you have a vast array of styles, designs, and lengths which gives you the freedom to switch up your look as often as you’d like. This is especially great for when you have different events to go to in a short period of time and want to match your nails with your outfit.
Or perhaps you tried a style and it does not look like it fits you at all, simply change it. It would just take you 15 more minutes. but you could do it, and it would still be cheaper than getting a traditional manicure.
Pro Tip: If you find a design you like, but you don’t like the nail shape, it can be easily trimmed and shaped into what you like. Oversized press-on nails can also be filed down to fit your own nails.
4. Much Less Damage to Natural Nails
When doing acrylic and gel nails at the salon, there is so much filing and buffing that happens which can lead to damage to your natural nails and weaken them over time. That’s why when you stop visiting the nail salon, you may find your nails break more often than usual.
Press-on nails, on the other hand, do not require any filing or buffing of the natural nails before they are applied. Although, if you want them to stay on longer, I do recommend doing a light buff, which is still not as intensive as what gel nails require.
5. No More Chipping and Fading
Often with regular manicures, we are constantly having to repaint our nails because it chips or the nail polish fades. This can even happen with gel nail polish, but press-on nails are so durable, the chances of this happening are very slim. This means you can have beautiful, long-lasting nails without the hassle and expense of salon visits.
6. Press-On Nails Are Easy To Remove
Unlike acrylic or gel nails which always require acetone or other harsh chemicals to be removed, if you have the patience, press-on nails can be removed with just warm water. This means you can easily swap them out for another nail design or remove them whenever you desire without having to use chemicals which is also healthier for your body.
If you decided to use impress nails, which is a very popular brand, their nails come with adhesive tabs which don’t last as long as glue, but they are much easier to remove. These nails also often come with beautiful designs so you can easily snap these on for a one-time event and then take them off the next day for school or work.
7. No UV Light
Gel nails and nail extensions have skyrocketed in popularity over the last few years, but one of the major drawbacks is the use of UV light. As much as I am a fan of long last gel nails, UV light is damaging, and a recent scientific journal published an article about how our nail salon visits that use UV light could cause DNA damage and cell mutations, which is very alarming to me.
While I do enjoy a gel manicure every once in a while, this makes me love my press-on nails even more, especially because they don’t require any drying time or UV light.
8. They’re Perfect for Travel
Press-on nails are a great option for people who travel frequently or don’t have access to their favorite nail salon. Or perhaps you know that you are going to be swimming often, and your nails are going to be treated harshly and might end up lifting, press-on nails are the solution because even if they do end up lifting, you could easily use glue provided in the kit and give yourself a quick fix.
Also, many press-on nail sets often come with everything you might need, like glue and a small nail file. Although you could bring isopropyl alcohol with you as well as a nail dehydrator, it’s not necessary. they can be applied, anywhere, anytime.
A Con to Using Press-On Nails
Unfortunately, it’s not all roses when it comes to press-on nails. Because we are not nail experts, many have found that press-on nails pop off much more easily and don’t hang on to our nails as long as we would like.
Although their easy removal is a plus, it is also a negative since they could easily come off if you don’t follow some tips and tricks people use to make their press-on nails last longer.
On average, I’ve found that press-on nails last about 4 days before needing additional glue application, or being replaced with a new press-on nail from the same package.
Final Notes
Overall, press-on nails offer many advantages over gel nails, they’re budget-friendly, easy to apply, overall a healthier option for your nails and skin, and many more. Unfortunately, they do have some cons, as they might fall off more easily than the nails you get at the salon, but this improves with experience.
If you are looking for a convenient and economical way to have stunning nails for your next event, press-on nails are undoubtedly worth trying because they look just as amazing as acrylic and gel nails without the commitment of your money or time.
