If you’ve been trying to figure out how to make your press on nails last longer, I’m your girl. With this nail prep routine, my recent blue french tip press on nails stayed on for two weeks. Typically, my press on nails always last at least a week (with no pop-offs) before I decide to take them off and do a new set. Also, I’m not new to this, I’m true to this. I’ve been exclusively wearing press on nails for years now, and started making my own custom nails over a year ago. During this time, I’ve learned a lot of tips and tricks to make my nails stay on longer.
How My Press On Nails Looked Two Weeks Later
This is what my nails looked like two weeks after I applied them. Not one popped off. I decided to take them off two days later, to do another nail set. In general, my nails would probably last longer if I didn’t wash my hands so excessively because that can loosen the nail glue (I’m a germaphobe, so the hand washing is not gonna change lol). When I’ve done this same routine on my sister, her nails stayed on for a little over two weeks. So I can confirm that this routine is tested, approved, and trusted (by me).
Before getting started, it’s important to make sure your press on nails are the right size. They should fit sidewall to sidewall and lay flush against your natural nails.
Here’s the nail prep routine I do to make my press on nails stay on longer!
My Step-By-Step Nail Prep Routine
Step One: Remove Your Cuticles
I start off by removing my cuticles using the Sally Hansen Instant Cuticle Remover. I haven’t gotten comfortable using a nail drill to remove my cuticles, so I like to use this instead. After applying it, I let it sit on my nails for 60 seconds and then remove my cuticles using a wooden nail stick. Once I’m done, I wash my hands and wipe my nails down with rubbing alcohol.
Step Two: Apply a Nail Strengthening Treatment
Next, I apply a nail strengthening treatment. I use this to help protect and care for my nails underneath my press on nails. My go-to is this Keratin 3 Day Growth Treatment by Nail Aid. I apply two coats of this (per the instructions), and let it dry. Make sure you let the first coat dry completely before applying the second coat.
Step Three: Buff My Nails
Once the nail strengthening treatment is completely dry, I buff my nails using a 240-grit nail buffer. I use this to rough up my nails, so that when I glue my nails on, they adhere better.
Step Four: Wipe My Nails Down with Rubbing Alcohol
After buffing my nails, I wipe them down with more rubbing alcohol on a lint-free nail wipe. This gets rid of all the dust, etc., after buffing my nails.
Step Five: Apply Dehydrator
Next, I apply a dehydrator to remove any oils and moisture from my nails. I’ve tried a couple, but I like the pH Bonder Dehydrator by Aprés best. I only apply one coat of this and let it dry briefly.
Step Six: Apply Primer
After the dehydrator, I use a primer on my nails. I’ve been using this primer by Aprés, and it works great. Honestly, I’ve tried other dehydrator and primer sets, but I noticed my nails last longer with the ones by Aprés, so I’m sticking with them lol.
Optional Tip: File Inside Your Press On Nails
Now this next step is completely optional, but it can be helpful. Once in a while, I’ll take this rechargeable wireless e-file by Melodie Susie, and use it to file or “etch” the inside of my press ons. This helps rough up the inside of the nails and gives the glue something to grip on when I glue on my nails. This is similar to why I buff my nails earlier in my nail prep routine.
Once I started buffing my nails in my nail prep routine, I haven’t found it necessary to etch my press ons too. However, if I’m realllllly trying to keep them on for two weeks or so, I’ll do this.
Step Seven: Glue On Nails
Last but not least, it’s time to glue on your nails. Using a good glue is really important for making sure your nails last. My all time favorite is the Beauty Secrets Drip and Clog Proof Nail Glue (from Sally Beauty). I’ve also used the Brush On Nail Glue by BTArtBox (which they’ve gifted me on a few occasions), and I can confirm my nails have stayed on for a week with this routine as well.
When I glue on my nails, I apply glue to my natural nail, and then to the press on nail as well. Then I apply my press on, and hold it in place for 30 seconds.
Most Important Step: LET THE GLUE DRY COMPLETELY
After doing my nails, I always let the glue dry for at least an hour before I get my nails wet. For best results, I do them before bed, so the glue can dry down and lock in overnight without my hands getting wet. If you get your hands/nails wet before the glue dries, your nails will pop off early (possibly within the next day or so, speaking from experience).
How I Apply My Press On Nails
@flyfiercefab #AD Let’s do these blue french tippies using BTArtBox! 🩵💅🏾✨ #BTArtBoxNails #PressOnNails #NailInspo #NailsAtHome ♬ original sound – Theresa Seyi | Outfit Inspo
Check out my most recent press on nail tutorial (featuring blue french tip nails gifted to me by BTArtBox) to see how I do my nail prep routine.
Do you wear press on nails? What are your best tips for making them last? Let me know in the comments below!
Stylishly Yours,
Theresa Seyi
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