Can I say something controversial? I actually hate getting my nails done—it’s expensive, it takes way too long, and I struggle to sit still for more than five minutes. Instead, I rely on a steady rotation of press-ons to keep my nails looking neat and pretty, and lately, my go-to has been Kiss ImPRESS nails, which I can literally apply *anywhere*.
No joke: I was in a rush heading to a birthday party last month, and I gave myself a manicure on the subway in less than 10 minutes. And while I got a few curious stares from strangers wondering why I was treating my commute like a nail appointment, it was worth it when I got no fewer than three compliments that night about how great my nails looked. Do with that information what you will.
Here’s the secret—instead of the glue-on nails I usually buy, these press-ons have a peel-off adhesive backing, which is basically like applying a sticker to your nail. All you have to do is buff and prep your nails with the provided alcohol wipe, pick out a nail size for each finger, peel off the backing, and stick ‘em on. Et voila—a ridiculously easy, mess-free manicure that takes mere minutes from start to finish.
And I know what you’re thinking: Surely, a stick-on manicure can’t last longer than a few hours, right? Wrong! At first, I was just hoping that these nails would last me until the end of the night, but I was shocked when they stuck around for nearly two weeks.
Truth be told, I could have kept them on longer, but the downside of the sticky backing is that they attract gunk. Another thing to keep in mind? They don’t sit quite as flush to the nail as traditional glue-ons, so they do lift a bit and sometimes get stuck on my hair. That said, I’m going to try filling in the gaps with some nail glue to prevent any pesky lifting.
I’m trying my darndest to grow out my natural nails, so I also appreciate that these press-ons didn’t damage my nails in the slightest. Technically, you’re meant to soak them in acetone to remove, but I just peel them off with a cuticle stick. They leave behind a bit of glue, which comes off easily with a file, but my nails remain perfectly intact—unlike traditional glue-ons, which usually strip my natural nails.
I usually stick to shorter nails and safer colors like this baby pink (quite literally called Pick Me Pink), but Kiss ImPRESS nails come in a rainbow of colors and lengths—from coffin French tips to trendy cat-eye chrome. And the best part? Every single style is $10 or less on Amazon.
Shop more Kiss ImPRESS nails
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imPRESS No Glue Press On Nails, Walk Out
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Kiss imPRESS No Glue Press On Nails, Reddy or Not
Lauren Gruber is a shopping editor at Hearst Magazines with more than five years of professional writing experience. She specializes in fragrance, beauty, fashion, and lifestyle content for Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Good Housekeeping, Esquire, and more. Before her time at Hearst, Lauren graduated from New York University and wrote for Shop TODAY, Entertainment Tonight, Self, V Magazine, L’Officiel, and more. When she’s not researching Prime Day deals or testing the latest perfume launches, you can find Lauren hanging out with her cat Serafina or flexing her AMC A-List membership at the movie theater.
