IMO, stepping out of the nail salon with a fresh new set is a feeling like no other. But these days, I barely get halfway down the street before my HSBC app reminds me that regular manicures have become pricier than ever. For someone who’s a maximalist at heart (and opts for an elaborate design every time), I’ve had no choice but to experiment with alternatives.
I’m not the only one struggling in this economy, so it’s no surprise that press-on nails have become a go-to for some of us in recent years with improvements from our favourite brands duly noted. Not only do they last for weeks now with proper application (in my experience, just as long as any professional mani!), they’re keeping up with the biggest nail trends – aura, chrome, cat-eye, you name it. Of course, simple colours and classic French tips are on offer too, but unlike their gel counterparts, press-ons rarely cost more than a tenner.
Believe it or not, high-street hero H&M is ticking all of those boxes and spoiler alert: I’m obsessed. Having stumbled across a dreamy, ethereal 'Blue Aura' set online for just £6.99 (at least £45 less than my typical in-salon spending for that kind of design!), I immediately got my nails to work and put them to the test. Ahead, my tried and tested thoughts – with pics, as per.
How I tested
Whenever I’m trying to convince my loyal salon-goer friends to give press-ons a try, I always stress that proper nail prep is the secret to making them last as long 4 weeks. I used an alcohol wipe to clean my nails and let them dry completely before pushing my cuticles back. I then gently buffed the surface of each nail with a nail file (this helps the sticky part of the press-ons to grip to the nail).
It’s also worth noting that I tested how this H&M set fared on a fairly long work day – and one which involved a lot of typing and packaging up a load of Cosmo x Boots beauty boxes (wink, wink, nudge, nudge...).
First impressions
Since these press-ons come pre-glued, application was easier than ever and took no more than 10 minutes. The instructions say to just press each one onto your nail, hold down for 10 seconds and voila. Though one pet peeve of mine was that since they're already sticky, I couldn't practice lining each press-on up with my natural nail. I usually do this before applying, to make sure I'm using the correct size press-on for each nail.
Beyond that, I was obsessed with the design. I've had aura nails done before on acrylics, using a range of airbrush tools and colours to get that gorgeous, diffused gradient. But with zero tools, polish or faff required, H&M's looked just as professionally done; they even had a natural reflective finish, so they looked as though they'd been painted.
The verdict
As for staying power, the press-ons showed no sign of budging for the first 12 hours of wear. From then, I noticed the corners lifting very slightly on four of my nails, so I took a few minutes to press those down gently (and holding for about 30 seconds), and we were soon back in business.
I actually only noticed after that the instructions included with the set suggests doing this every so often if you notice any lifting to extend the wear-time of your set. Personally, if your day-to-day duties are more hands-on than mine, I would recommend reinforcing these with some quality nail glue or adhesive tabs to secure them a little better.
Mine are still going strong, but when it comes to removal, H&M says to simply soak the nails in water for 10-15 minutes, and watch them lift off with ease.
So, my verdict? For a salon-worthy mani without the eye-watering price tag, look no further. Other designs include silver chrome tips, sheer pinks with tiny specks of glitter and vampy black and red ombrés. Spoiled for choice is an understatement!
Beauty Assistant Urmi works across Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Harper's Bazaar, Red and Prima.
She fell into the world of beauty following a Masters in Magazine Journalism, and has been knee-deep in maximalist makeup, seasonal nail trends, and skincare myth-busting ever since. Both in and outside the office, she is best recognised by her signature red hair and elaborate set of acrylics.
