WANT A NATURAL LOOKING SET?
PREP & APPLICATION
Clean up and care for those cuticles! This will help in several ways!
First - proper cuticle cleanup/prep will allow for a better seal, allowing longer wear time.
Second - Clean well kept cuticles really helps make your press ons look like a perfect set of salon nails!
Press ons applied with glue average 1-3 weeks wear time when properly prepped and applied.
What You'll Need:
Press on set, Cuticle Pusher, Nail File & Buffer Block, Alcohol Pads, Nail Glue, paper towel.
Prep:
Trim and file down your your nails with the nail file.*Always file in ONE direction to avoid damage!
Wash your hands thoroughly.
Push back and clean up your cuticles.
Gently buff your natural nails with the buffer block to remove ALL shine.
Clean your nails thoroughly with an alcohol pad. *Don't skip this step. It removes dirt/dust that will cause lifting, and also eliminates any bacteria. You don't want bacteria trapped under a press on. Bacteria = Greenies.
Clean the insides of the press ons with the other pad.
Application:
Apply a small amount of glue to your nail bed, spread it around with the nozzle to cover the entire surface area.
Apply another small amount to the inside of a press on, spread it around to cover the entire contact area.
Do not apply too much glue. This can cause the glue to bleed out and may ruin your nails. If you've applied too much, soak it up with some paper towel.
Line up the press on with the cuticle, make sure its straight and rock it down to the tip, pressing the entire nail down firmly for 20 seconds (the longer the better!)
Repeat for all nails.
Don't forget to clean off that glue nozzle, lest it never open again!
Keep your hands dry for about an hour after application to allow the glue to set.
Press ons applied with glue average 1-3 weeks wear time when properly prepped and applied.
What You'll Need:
Press on set, Cuticle Pusher, Nail File & Buffer Block, Alcohol Pads, Nail Glue, paper towel.
Prep:
Trim and file down your your nails with the nail file.*Always file in ONE direction to avoid damage!
Wash your hands thoroughly.
Push back and clean up your cuticles.
Gently buff your natural nails with the buffer block to remove ALL shine.
Clean your nails thoroughly with an alcohol pad. *Don't skip this step. It removes dirt/dust that will cause lifting, and also eliminates any bacteria. You don't want bacteria trapped under a press on. Bacteria = Greenies.
Clean the insides of the press ons with the other pad.
Application:
Apply a small amount of glue to your nail bed, spread it around with the nozzle to cover the entire surface area.
Apply another small amount to the inside of a press on, spread it around to cover the entire contact area.
Do not apply too much glue. This can cause the glue to bleed out and may ruin your nails. If you've applied too much, soak it up with some paper towel.
Line up the press on with the cuticle, make sure its straight and rock it down to the tip, pressing the entire nail down firmly for 20 seconds (the longer the better!)
Repeat for all nails.
Don't forget to clean off that glue nozzle, lest it never open again!
Keep your hands dry for about an hour after application to allow the glue to set.
Apply a gel tab to the insides of each nail, then follow the application with glue directions. They'll be secure for about a week and you'll be able to remove them super easily with NO damage to the press ons!
Apply a gel tab to the insides of each nail, then follow the application with glue directions. They'll be secure for about a week and you'll be able to remove them super easily with NO damage to the press ons!
Press ons applied with tabs average 1-3 days wear time when properly prepped and applied.
What You'll Need:
Press on set, Cuticle Pusher, Nail File & Buffer Block, Alcohol Pads, Nail Tabs.
Prep:
Trim and file down your your nails with the nail file. *Always file in ONE direction to avoid damage!
Wash your hands thoroughly.
Push back and clean up your cuticles.
Gently buff your natural nails with the buffer block to remove ALL shine.
Clean your nails thoroughly with an alcohol pad.
Clean the insides of the press ons with the other pad.
Application:
Select a tab that fits your nail bed best, covering the entire surface area, wall to wall.
Try not to touch the tabs, the oils from your skin will interfere with adhesion. Use tweezers to remove them from the sheet and apply to your nail. Press it down firmly from edge to edge.
Remove the film. Be sure to get it all! The film is gridded and may not come off in one piece.
Line up the press on with the cuticle, make sure its straight and rock it down to the tip, pressing the entire nail down firmly for 20 seconds.
Repeat for all nails.
ESSENTIAL: Do not get your hands wet for at least 3-4 hours after application. This will allow the adhesive to set. Applying them before bed the day before you want to wear them is recommended!
Press ons applied with tabs average 1-3 days wear time when properly prepped and applied.
What You'll Need:
Press on set, Cuticle Pusher, Nail File & Buffer Block, Alcohol Pads, Nail Tabs.
Prep:
Trim and file down your your nails with the nail file. *Always file in ONE direction to avoid damage!
Wash your hands thoroughly.
Push back and clean up your cuticles.
Gently buff your natural nails with the buffer block to remove ALL shine.
Clean your nails thoroughly with an alcohol pad.
Clean the insides of the press ons with the other pad.
Application:
Select a tab that fits your nail bed best, covering the entire surface area, wall to wall.
Try not to touch the tabs, the oils from your skin will interfere with adhesion. Use tweezers to remove them from the sheet and apply to your nail. Press it down firmly from edge to edge.
Remove the film. Be sure to get it all! The film is gridded and may not come off in one piece.
Line up the press on with the cuticle, make sure its straight and rock it down to the tip, pressing the entire nail down firmly for 20 seconds.
Repeat for all nails.
ESSENTIAL: Do not get your hands wet for at least 3-4 hours after application. This will allow the adhesive to set. Applying them before bed the day before you want to wear them is recommended!
DON'T DO THIS!!!
There is some misinformation going around advising people that applying press ons with builder gel will help them to stay on longer...
The method referenced is a patent professional nail system called Gel-X by Apres Nails, which has since been copied by several other brands. It was intended as a faster & cleaner professional nail service to replace gel/acrylic enhancements. It is a great system, and many professional nail techs have either switched to it exclusively or offer it alongside traditional services. The gel tips that Apres offers have also been adopted by many press on artists because they are the best quality on the market, replacing the plastic tips that were once used.
The Gel-X nail enhancement system is preformed by adhering the gel tips to the nail plate with a soft builder gel. If done properly, the enhancements can last up to 4 weeks.
Recently a "hack" has been published on social media and has spread like wildfire that applying pre-designed press ons with builder gel will
help keep them on longer.
Now here's the problem.. The Gel-X method requires a transparent or translucent nail. The UV/LED light needs to be able to penetrate the nail to cure the gel underneath, and this cannot be done with most press on sets(*).
While it may seem as though the nails have been cured securely on, it is only any exposed gel at the edges that has been cured and keeping those nails in place. The gel underneath is uncured.
Prolonged exposure to uncured gel can have some scary results. Sensitivity to the gel may cause allergic contact dermatitis and/or irritant contact dermatitis not only around the nail area but also around areas that are commonly touched such as the eyelids, mouth and chin, and sides of the neck.
Contact dermatitis is a red, itchy rash caused by direct contact with a substance or an allergic reaction to it. Blisters, swelling and dry/cracked skin can also occur. Depending on the severity of the reaction it can take months to resolve and may require antihistamines and
corticosteroid creams.
Best not to chance this one. Pre-designed press ons should only ever be applied to a clean and prepped nail with nail glue or gel tabs.
*The only exception to this is press ons painted with glass or jelly gels, which are translucent enough for the light to penetrate and cure the gel underneath.
DON'T DO THIS!!!
There is some misinformation going around advising people that applying press ons with builder gel will help them to stay on longer...
The method referenced is a patent professional nail system called Gel-X by Apres Nails, which has since been copied by several other brands. It was intended as a faster & cleaner professional nail service to replace gel/acrylic enhancements. It is a great system, and many professional nail techs have either switched to it exclusively or offer it alongside traditional services. The gel tips that Apres offers have also been adopted by many press on artists because they are the best quality on the market, replacing the plastic tips that were once used.
The Gel-X nail enhancement system is preformed by adhering the gel tips to the nail plate with a soft builder gel. If done properly, the enhancements can last up to 4 weeks.
Recently a "hack" has been published on social media and has spread like wildfire that applying pre-designed press ons with builder gel will
help keep them on longer.
Now here's the problem.. The Gel-X method requires a transparent or translucent nail. The UV/LED light needs to be able to penetrate the nail to cure the gel underneath, and this cannot be done with most press on sets(*).
While it may seem as though the nails have been cured securely on, it is only any exposed gel at the edges that has been cured and keeping those nails in place. The gel underneath is uncured.
Prolonged exposure to uncured gel can have some scary results. Sensitivity to the gel may cause allergic contact dermatitis and/or irritant contact dermatitis not only around the nail area but also around areas that are commonly touched such as the eyelids, mouth and chin, and sides of the neck.
Contact dermatitis is a red, itchy rash caused by direct contact with a substance or an allergic reaction to it. Blisters, swelling and dry/cracked skin can also occur. Depending on the severity of the reaction it can take months to resolve and may require antihistamines and
corticosteroid creams.
Best not to chance this one. Pre-designed press ons should only ever be applied to a clean and prepped nail with nail glue or gel tabs.
*The only exception to this is press ons painted with glass or jelly gels, which are translucent enough for the light to penetrate and cure the gel underneath.
If you're having trouble keeping your nails on as long as you'd like there are a few things you can look at:
1. Are you prepping PROPERLY?
- Cuticles are pushed back?
- Dead skin is removed?
- ALL the shine is buffed off?
Take your time with your prep. Hunker down in that self care and pamper those hands! Even at a half hour spent prepping/applying, you're still a far cry from the 1-2 hours spent in a salon.
2. Are you applying glue to both the press on and the nail plate? If not, do this. It creates a stronger bond. Rock the nails down and press and hold firmly for 15-20 seconds each nail. This eliminates air bubbles that cause lifting.
3. Are you keeping your hands dry for a few hours after applying? Let that glue set, wear gloves if you gotta do the dishes!
4. If you've checked yes to all of the above and your nails are STILL popping you may just have oily nail beds. Buy youself a primer and apply it before the glue to help keep those pretty nails on.
If you're having trouble keeping your nails on as long as you'd like there are a few things you can look at:
1. Are you prepping PROPERLY?
- Cuticles are pushed back?
- Dead skin is removed?
- ALL the shine is buffed off?
Take your time with your prep. Hunker down in that self care and pamper those hands! Even at a half hour spent prepping/applying, you're still a far cry from the 1-2 hours spent in a salon.
2. Are you applying glue to both the press on and the nail plate? If not, do this. It creates a stronger bond. Rock the nails down and press and hold firmly for 15-20 seconds each nail. This eliminates air bubbles that cause lifting.
3. Are you keeping your hands dry for a few hours after applying? Let that glue set, wear gloves if you gotta do the dishes!
4. If you've checked yes to all of the above and your nails are STILL popping you may just have oily nail beds. Buy youself a primer and apply it before the glue to help keep those pretty nails on.
Gently lift around the edges of the nails with the cuticle pusher.
Throw on your current Netflix binge and get comfy. Soak your nails in hot soapy water with a dash of olive/coconut/whatever oil you have handy, until you are able to easily pop them off.
DO NOT try to just rip them off dry. You will damage your natural nails.
*Removal will be easier the longer you've worn the nails. the glue under nails that have been worn a few weeks will already have begun naturally degrading. If you're trying to remove nails you've only applied a few days ago, you're gonna be there a while. Use tabs or tabs + glue if you want a shorter term wear.
Gently lift around the edges of the nails with the cuticle pusher.
Throw on your current Netflix binge and get comfy. Soak your nails in hot soapy water with a dash of olive/coconut/whatever oil you have handy, until you are able to easily pop them off.
DO NOT try to just rip them off dry. You will damage your natural nails.
*Removal will be easier the longer you've worn the nails. the glue under nails that have been worn a few weeks will already have begun naturally degrading. If you're trying to remove nails you've only applied a few days ago, you're gonna be there a while. Use tabs or tabs + glue if you want a shorter term wear.
