So I’ve been using press-on nails for over a year now pretty consistently. If you haven’t read my first post where I tell you about the benefits of press-on nails and give some amazing nail tips to help you become a pro, you should!
This is one of the most complete posts on stick-on nails out there in which I answer every question you may have about press-on nails.
By now, I feel like I have a pretty good feel on what to look for in fake nails. So here are my top five glue-on or press-on nails out there. My ratings for the best press-on nails were based on the following criteria.
- Quality – How close they look and feel to real nails, well did the nails hold up to wear and tear, the packaging and the overall feel.
- Application – How clear are the instructions, how easy it is to match the right size and ultimately apply the nails.
- Selection – Do the nails come in a good variety of styles, lengths, and colors, what about matte nails or gel nails finishes.
- Design – How do they rank on the nail polish colors and design factors.
- Availability – How easy are the nails to obtain in a snap
- Price – Last, but not least…price and shipping are important.
So without further ado, here are my reviews of the best press-on and glue-on nails to try.
imPRESS Press-on Manicure Review
These are the original press-on nails. No glue needed. Just press and go.
Truth be told, these were my first foray into the press-on nails world. And they were great. And so easy to learn on. My favorite thing about these was their availability at every drug store near me at a very affordable price in a variety of designs and colors. All this in a very comfortable short length.
And if I followed the process outlined in instructions, I was likely to see these stay on for days. However, they kinda started looking worn and ragged by day 4-5. This is what lead me to try the competing line from their sister company Kiss. On that later.
And now I am glad to find that imPRESS has come out with the ultra-fit line which hopefully combats some of the shortcomings I have noticed previously
- Quality (3 of 5) due to the nail material showing wear and tear so early. And honestly, they just look a bit like artificial nails, unless you go with their ultra-fit line. These really wouldn’t be the nails you re-use multiple times at all. However, the packaging and instructions are great. You also get 36 nails to find the right size for your digits.
- Application (5 of 5) as I think these are as simple as DIY nails get. And no need to mess with the glue. Though those pesky little protective strips on the adhesive side do tend to cling to everything once removed. Ugh.
- Selection (2.5 of 5) You are kind of stuck with an oval shape or a square. These are super classic shapes though. They do have two lengths available now. The short and the medium length, which is my personal preference.
- Design (5 of 5) In my opinion, they shine in this category. These are nails you can wear to the office, your kids’ ball game, the restaurant, and everywhere in between. Listen, I like glitzy nails as much as the next gal, but I find classic colors and designs much more versatile in everyday life.
- Availability (again a 5) These are the most widely available press-on nail sets. You will be able to find them at every target and local drug store with no problems. And on Amazon as well. And when you’re in a pinch, that stuff is important!
- Price These guys score top points on my scale for affordability. You just can’t beat the price of $6-$8 per set of 36 press-on nails to fit any size.
Kiss Glue-on Nails Review
Kiss Nails company is the sister company to imPRESS nails. This is also a natural next step in your false nails journey as the application process can be slightly messier at first, but the final product is worth it in my opinion.
Kiss nails are applied with special nail glue. Thus they go under the glue-on nails line. And yes, I have glued myself to myself at one point. A traumatic experience 🙂
Have no fear, though, as I now find this process actually easier. So practice does make perfect. Or at the very least it helps. Below is my full Kiss glue-on nails review.
- Quality (4 of 5) The quality of these nails is much higher. They really nail down the natural nails look. Plus, these truly last. They look as good on day 10 as they did on day 1 (save for the obvious signs of nail growth).
- Application (5 of 5) These are super easy to match and apply. They are numbered so if you learn the sizes needed, you can quickly identify them. The glue that comes with is great. It doesn’t leak too much and it dries fairly fast. I just wish it was easier to stand on the counter which would help it last longer.
- Selection (4 of 5) I absolutely love the selection of Kiss Nails. They come in a high variety of shapes and finishes for you to try. The sizing ranges from petite to long nail beds, so no matter what, you’re covered.
- Design (4 of 5) I love their Glam and Masterpiece nail collections. I think the designs are classic and glamorous without being kitschy. You can find anything from the classic french manicure sets to jeweled and iridescent. They change frequently and have seasonal nail designs. And if you can’t find what you like, grab a natural full-cover nail kit that comes with 100 nails to decorate however you like.
- Availability (5 of 5) Definitely widely available in your local drug stores and online.
- Price These are very comparable to imPRESS nails and prices range from $6 to $12 for the Masterpiece collection. Still way less than you’d spend at a nail salon for gel nails. And it takes less time. Win-win-win!
Static Nails Review
So if you want to step up your glam faux nail game, look into Static Nails. Sold through Nordstrom and online at staticnails.com. These are some of the best glue-on nails I have found. They look like real acrylic nails.
The Static Nails also boast a non-damaging glue. From the website: “It’s unique formula bonds like an acrylic for a strong hold, but essentially breaks away and dissolves as you wear it leaving behind zero glue residue or damage when removed properly.”
- Quality (5 of 5) As already mentioned, this is the cream of the crop. They last. For me closer to 10 days, but others have reported up to 14.
- Application (4.5 of 5) there are only 24 nails included in these sets, but they are easy to match. They are easy to file to size as needed as well. Naturally, though, since there are 12 less than Kiss or imPRESS, these can be slightly harder to apply seamlessly for some fashionistas.
- Selection (4 of 5) These come in round, coffin, or stiletto styles. The sizes range from short to medium. They also have matte or gel-effect finishes to choose from.
- Design (5 of 5) The designs are amazing. They are very simple, yet so unique they definitely stand out in a very subtle way. They scream style and glam. Certainly perfect for the board room or a night out in a swanky club. And everyone will comment on your beautiful nails. Trust me!
- Availability (4 of 5) Although mostly only sold online through Static Nails store, you may be lucky to pick these up at Nordstrom.
- Price You are stepping up your game, so you gotta step up the price as well. These retail between $14.00 and $16.00 a set.
Marmalade Nails Review
Want to feel like you’re ready for the red carpet or you own a private jet? Well, enter Marmalade nails. Not only are they made out of the highest quality materials, but they are also hand-decorated with real Swarovski crystals.
Personally, I’m a fan of the Ice Queen design and the Mint x Chrome Accents.
- Quality (5 of 5) The quality is great! These sets come with 24 nails in 12 different sizes in each kit to fit your nails. These last up to 2 weeks.
- Application (5 of 5) These are super easy to apply with nail glue. Marmalade also includes a little proprietary nail removal tool. Extra points.
- Selection (5 of 5) They come in either short or long length. You can easily file and shape these down as needed. The shapes include stiletto, coffin, square, and round.
- Design (4 of 5) Some of the colors of these faux nails are just a bit more “out there”. If you are really into iridescent finishes though, they have that on lock. These nails look like true acrylic nails.
- Availability (3 of 5) Marmalade nails are sold online only and since they are often made to order, there can be a bit of a wait.
- Price The standard pricing is between $15 and $32 for those with the enviable crystals. Although you can score some on sale at just $10.
The Nailest Review
The Nailest rounds up my list of top 5. These nail sets are special! What makes them special is that the majority are hand made to order. And they do not disappoint. The website also includes a great guide on how to order the right size for you. With that said, they still provide an option of getting a full set. A full set includes 2 nails of each size for a total of 20 nails in a set.
Honestly, these are eye candy for nail lovers. They are just drop-dead gorgeous! They were even featured in a Cosmo article this Spring. It’s a no-brainer they round up my best press-on nails review.
- Quality (5 of 5) In one word they are high-end as high-end gets. Beautifully boxed. They come with a mini nail file, a nail buffer, a wooden stick, an alcohol wipe, and detailed instructions on how to apply/remove your press-on nails. Everything is very meticulously executed. And they last up to 2 weeks and may definitely be reused.
- Application (3 of 5) Glue or the tabs are at an add-on cost. These are very easy to apply. The tougher part is picking the right size. And although the instructions are great, it does take some extra work. They do offer a sample sizing pack for just $1. You can also order the full set so you don’t have to guess, but it comes at an extra price.
- Selection (5 of 5) Out of all the revised nails, these probably have the largest selection. You can go glitz or tone it down. You can pick any shape including square nails, oval nails, stiletto nails, coffin nails, and almond nails. The square and oval also come in short lengths, while the coffin, stiletto, and square are available in long.
- Design (5 of 5) Holy guacamole, there are so many design options. The nail art on these is out of this world. And if that isn’t good enough, they take custom orders as well!
- Availability (4 of 5) These are only available online but shipped quickly!
- Price These fake nails are on the pricier side. Be prepared to spend from $15 up to $118 for the very fancy Swarovski dazzled sets.
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My first set was from Dancing Diva. The tabs were perfect for adhering and the nails lasted for three weeks!
And when I removed them, my nails were in great shape.
I’ve not found anything that works as well as these tabs, yet I want more versatility with the designs.
My nails are now brittle and damaged from using nail glue, which doesn’t hold the nails as long as I’d like (some stay on, others suddenly pop off, and even become lost).
I have to keep nail glue (brush on is my preference) with me at all times. I feel like a lady in the movie Death Becomes Her, having to keep maintenance supplies with me always.
Ann! Thank you for leaving feedback! I really appreciate you doing that.
That’s great that those tabs work so well for you! Have you found that they worked for you better than other brand tabs? As far as nail glue, it does tend to dry out the nail. That’s why I personally always apply two layers of a clear nourishing base prior to applying the glue. The faux nails definitely do not last as long, but if a nail pops off I just reapply. I do feel you on the Death Becomes Her comparison. It’s kind of funny. However, I still think that it’s worth it to keep the nails healthy, pretty and not have to spend hundereds of dollars monthly on just keeping your digits looking pretty.
Have you yet tried All Dashing? They are incredible. Very similar to ImPress but resuable. I get minimum 5 to 10 out of a set. I soak for a few minutes in oil and they slide off with a cuticle stick, not distorting the original shape. Gorgeous, on trend designs too! My favorite brand next to ImPress.
Tamara –
I have not, but will definitely give these a try for my next review post! Thanks for the tip and thanks for being a reader! xoxo!
Thank you for the review. It was great. Marmalade and Static are my favs.
You’re welcome Christine! With Covid, I’ve really gotten into doing my own nails at home. Love it! And it’s a great way to save some coins 🙂