✅ How to Properly Apply Press-On Nails (Professional Guide)
1️⃣ Wash Your Hands
Clean your hands thoroughly with soap and water, then dry them completely.
2️⃣ Prep Your Natural Nails
- Trim your nails to your desired length.
- Gently buff the surface of your nails to add texture—this step is very important because it increases adhesion.
- Make sure to buff lightly. The goal is to create micro-scratches for better grip, not to thin out your natural nails.
3️⃣ Clean Again With an Alcohol Wipe
- Use an alcohol pad to wipe each nail.
(This step removes any remaining oils and improves adhesion.)
4️⃣ Choose the Right Sticker Tabs
- Select sticker tabs that are slightly smaller than your natural nail—about 1–2 mm smaller.
Do not choose tabs that are exactly the same size as your nail. - For the index finger, you can use a longer tab or layer an extra tab at the tip, then fold the excess back.
(Most people have slightly curved index nails; adding thickness helps them last longer.
This applies to any downward-curved nails. If your nails are normal, you can skip this step.) - After applying the sticker tabs, warm them with a hair dryer for a few seconds and press the edges outward.
(Heat softens the adhesive, making it stickier and more flexible.)
5️⃣ Apply the Press-On Nails Correctly
- Align the nail tip near your cuticle, right at the edge of the sticker tab.
- Hold down the last millimeter of the adhesive and push the nail on at a 45° angle.
- Slide the nail gently under the cuticle line for a more natural look, and press firmly for 10 seconds.
- Then press firmly from the center outward for 15–30 seconds to eliminate any air pockets.
6️⃣ Avoid Water
- For the first hour after application, avoid washing your hands, showering, or exposing your nails to water.
This ensures better retention.
7️⃣ Removal Method 1 — Warm Water Method
- Soak your nails in warm water with a bit of dish soap for 10–15 minutes.
- Gently lift the edges.
- Never force or rip off the nails, as this may damage your natural nails.
8️⃣ Faster Removal Method — Using Nail Polish Remover
- Apply a small amount of nail polish remover into the gap between the press-on and your nail.
- Wait about 10 seconds.
- Gently lift from the side to remove the nail quickly.
Important:
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Avoid letting remover touch the top coat of the press-on nails.
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After removal, rinse your nails with water to wash away any residue.
Additional Notes
These instructions apply only to sticker tabs.
They do not apply to solid glue / adhesive glue, which requires a more detailed method.
You can find tutorials for solid glue application and removal on our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lubrano_nail?igsh=eGZ1aXJpMmkxNGN0&utm_source=qr @lubrano_nail
Sticker tabs usually keep nails on for 1–5 days.
With high-quality tabs and proper technique, some people can get up to 20 days.
Solid glue generally lasts 20–30 days.
Which adhesive you use depends on your needs—but I personally recommend sticker tabs, because being able to change designs frequently is part of the fun.
❗ Regardless of whether you use sticker tabs or solid glue, never remove press-ons by force.
Forcibly pulling them off can damage your natural nails, causing peeling and thinning.
Please use proper removal techniques to protect your nails.