NTAB: How to Nail Prep for Long-Lasting Nails

Nail Prep 101

Press-On-Nails Can Last 3+ Weeks with Proper Prepping!

Prepping your nails properly is key to getting the longest, strongest, and most natural-looking wear from your press-ons. Follow these easy steps for long-lasting, salon-quality results at home:

 

Wash & Dry Your Hands

Start with clean, dry hands. Wash thoroughly with soap and warm water to remove any oils or residue.

 

Woman's hands using a cuticle pusher tool to push back her nail cuticles

Put on Cuticle Oil/Remover & Push Back Cuticles

Lather each nail with cuticle oil or cuticle remover cream and wait 5-10mins. Using proper tools, gently push back your cuticles using a cuticle pusher. This helps the press-on nails sit flush and stay on longer. You can also use the cuticle remover (mini-scissor-looking tool) to cutoff dead skin around your nail beds.

 

Woman hands filing her nails on a white background

File & Shape

Lightly file the surface of each natural nail to remove shine. This also helps add a gritty surface for the glue and nails to stick to (just like sanding something before painting it). Then, cut and shape your real nails to how you want your press ons to fit.

 

Woman's hands cleaning her nails with an alcohol prep pad.


Buff & Cleanse

Use a nail buffer to smooth the surface then wipe each nail with an alcohol pad or nail cleanser to remove dust and oil.

 

Black and Tan Nails set out in a line on a yellow background

Select & Layout Your Sizes

Lay out the press-ons and match them to each finger before applying glue or tabs. You can gently file the sides for a custom fit if needed.

 

Hands putting nail glue on a nail to prep for a press-on-nail.

Apply Adhesive & Nails

Use nail glue or adhesive tabs (depending on your preference and how long you want the nails to last). (HINT: If you want your nails to be cemented on, use Beauty Secrets Drip Proof Clog Proof Nail Glue-you can find it on Amazon for cheap! We don't gatekeep here because our goal is to give you the best manicure you can get at home!).

If using glue, apply a small dot of glue to both your natural nail and also on the area of the press-on nail that will go on your nail (you do not need glue on the part that extends past your read nail & finger).

Press and hold for 10–15 seconds. When applying the press on, start at the bottom of your nail and push upwards then side to side to ensure all parts of the nail get secured.

**If using tabs, follow same steps but instead of adding nail glue, you will choose the proper size nail tab that fits your nail. Doing each nail one by one, peel off the sticky tab you will use for that nail. Press the sticky side to your nail and press down to ensure it adheres to your entire nail. The top portion of the tab should still have the protective layer over the other sticky side.

 Once stuck to your nail, peel off the top portion of the tab and press your press-on-nail to your nail. Push down on all sides to ensure the tabs adhere to all areas of the nail.

Tips for Longer Wear:

  • Avoid water for the first hour after application
  • Re-prep every time for a fresh set
  • Store your nails back in the box for reuse
  • Use glue instead of Sticky Tabs

 

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