How I Fell in Love With Press Ons

When I first started university, I had no idea how frustrating nails could be. I remember buying my first sets of press ons thinking, wow, this is going to be easy, cute, and cheap. The reality? Total disaster. They broke in the middle of the week, looked a little off, and honestly, it was embarrassing walking around with one nail missing. I didn’t even know good press ons were a thing back then I just thought all of them were meant to be flimsy and short lived.

But with time (and a lot of trial and error), I found out that press ons could actually be the exact opposite of what I first experienced. If you get the right kind with a strong base and proper gel they don’t just last, they actually feel like salon nails. And the best part? You can reuse them. If you take care of them properly, one set can last up to three wears. That alone blew my mind.

Here’s why I’ll never stop loving press ons:

• They save me money. I’m not spending salon prices every two weeks. A good set pays for itself when you can reuse it.
• They save me time. I can pop them on in 20 minutes instead of sitting at the salon for hours. Perfect when school, work, and life are piling up.
• They’re sustainable. Less waste, more rewears. I love knowing I’m not just throwing away plastic after one use.
• They’re reliable. No more snapping mid-week. With a strong base, they stay on and look good, even if normal wear and tear is bound to happen over time.

Looking back at my first year self, struggling with ugly broken nails, I just want to tell her press-ons aren’t the problem it’s about finding the right ones. Now, they’ve become a little ritual I look forward to, something that makes me feel put together without stressing about money, time, or breakage.