Perfect for those ‘I have 5 minutes but still want to feel cute’ kind of days.

Okay, exaggerating with the 5 minutes but you get what I mean. Haha. Sometimes, we get too lazy for a trip to the salon or we just don’t want to spend an insane amount of money for a decorated set. Well, even a home service nail service is tricky because why do all technicians arrive so late or cancel at the very last minute? Tell me I’m not the only one.

That’s why press-on nails are such a lifesaver — a surprisingly great alternative to the usual salon acrylic mani.

What Comes in a Kit

I used to think press-on nails looked fake and tacky, but I couldn’t be more wrong. The press-ons have a variety of styles, shapes, and colors for your preference and budget. You can even have custom designs made and it’ll fit your nails perfectly.

What’s amazing is that it can be applied in minutes, and it’s also of decent or high quality if you get it from a good store!

The kit will usually include the nail set, a cuticle pusher, a file, and nail glue or sticky tabs. In my case, it was the latter.

Press-on Nails: Pros and Cons

You may be delaying your decision to order press-on nails, but I can tell you straight up that it’s worth trying. Of course, we still need to look at the advantages and the disadvantages.

Pros

✅ Quick application. No need to sit for hours without using your hands. Plus, you ultimately save more time because once you have it, it’s easy to apply!  

✅ Salon-quality designs. Press-on nails are perfect for modern-day wear and are often more detailed because artists create them in advance.

✅ You get the price advantage. They cost a fraction of salon acrylics. Yay! You also get to use them again if it’s of high quality.

✅ Less nail damage. These are easier to remove, especially with soapy water and care (on the other hand, salon acrylic nails are a bit more taxing and you’d risk bigger damage).

Cons

❌ Shorter lifespan. Salon acrylic/ gel extension nails generally outperform press-on nails. I had a set done that was still intact for over a month vs. press-on nails that can only be worn for a max of 2 weeks for hygienic purposes.

❌ Be very careful with application. When applied improperly, it can easily come off and ruin your look. We all want our pretty nails to be durable!

❌ Sizing and style can be tricky if not custom-made. You also need to measure your nail sizes yourself.

❌ May require a learning curve for first-timers. While it’s a quick press-and-go process, you might need help the first time.

Both options have risks and require proper maintenance. I would still want to get my nails done by a technician (gel extension), but honestly, I’m presently enjoying my press-on nails. As long as you’re able to transform your look to how you want it, and it’s convenient for you, go for it!

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Instant transformation without breaking the bank

Okay, I’ve only used custom press-on nails twice, but I love how it’s such a beauty hack. I mean… it’s so easy to manage at home. I get my sets from NAILSHUN because that’s probably the only store I’m gonna trust for a long time. I’m based in the Philippines, btw. (Custom nail sets and service are both 💯 so make sure to check it out!)

Here are the nails I got from the store:

Christmas Nails (recreation set)

I was going for fun Christmas nails last year and saw this design on Pinterest. It was a last-minute thing but NAILSHUN delivered – literally and figuratively!

Try to compare the inspo (left) vs. the actual (right). It was the first time in a long time that I actually got my nails close to the design I wanted, so I was really happy about that!

The length just took me by surprise because I imagined it to be much shorter. If you’re not used to super long nails, I suggest checking it first with their team. Don’t worry, they’re really helpful.

For this set, I opted for medium-length coffin/ballerina-shaped nails. The sticky tabs were enough for my set to last a long time, and the proper nail prep also did the trick.

Cost: Php 465 (base design & nail art) + Php 200 (rush fee)

Red Bull Racing Nails (surprise custom set)

I was so pleased with my Christmas press-on nails that I found myself ordering another set for a different, yet equally special event! Let’s try F1/Red Bull Racing-themed nails.

The internet didn’t churn out designs that I liked, so when they suggested a surprise set, I couldn’t resist it. I just gave NAILSHUN a mood board, and let them do the magic. I stuck to the medium-length coffin nails but specifically asked to make them shorter just so I don’t have a hard time when working or typing.

I wore it to the Japanese Grand Prix and it’s super cute! (Hello to fellow Max fans!)

Cost: Php 650 (custom/surprise set) + Php 60 (reshaping fee)

These sets are less than Php 700 each, and one was even ordered rush so I think it’s fairly priced. Of course, costs will definitely vary depending on the design & the intricacy you’re after. I wonder what I’ll get next… haha.

Byeeey! This is your sign to embrace your maarte side and get press-on nails.