These Stick-On False Nails Are So Good They Rival a Salon Manicure

If, like me, you’re used to regular visits to the salon for your manicures, chances are your bank account is not in a great way right now. While I’d love to be the kind of person who paints cute motifs and chic designs onto my nails (saving £££ in the process), when it comes to DIY nail art my mani skills are weak to say the least. I find the intricacy of attempting nail art downright stressful and even when I attempt to paint my nails myself, by the time I get to using my left hand, they turn into a total mess.

I’ll be honest, I totally disregarded stick-on nails until very recently. My previous (and I’m talking teenage) experiences with them did not end well (or look great). I remember struggling to find press-ons that fit my nail size and shape, and I caused major damage to my nail plate when I attempted to remove them.

Thankfully, stick-on nails are having a moment, which means there’s been serious innovation in the products on offer—and there’s also a lot more choice out there. This new generation of press-ons goes beyond the basic plain colour offerings I remember experimenting with in the past. They offer fun and colourful designs, a wide variety of shapes and sizes, and even the glue quality has improved, too.

"Nail art boomed during the pandemic and the stick-on nail category has majorly grown and innovated since then,” says nail artist Ashleigh Bamber. "It’s a great way to wear cute nail art designs without actually having to do any of the hard work or wait for a salon appointment.” That said, while stick-on nails are convenient, long-lasting, and affordable, they can still cause damage if not applied and removed correctly. "If you’re too rough with removal you can risk peeling off layers of your natural nail, which cause it to become weak and brittle,” explains Bamber. "I would actually recommend starting the removal process by soaking your hands in water, then using a cuticle oil to lift them,” she adds. "Acetone-based removers can cause damage and dehydration if used for too long.” 

In the past few months I’ve tried everything from short and chic colourful French tips to ultra-long stilettos, and I have to say I love the ease, the speed, and the convenience. I’ve also noticed that my natural nails feel healthier and stronger. Sound like something you could get on board with? Keep scrolling for the best stick-on false nails out there.

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Next Up: 86 Nail Art Ideas We've Saved for Our Next Trip to the Salon

This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.