They’re budget-friendly, easy to apply and have hundreds of designs and shapes to choose from.

If you’re a big fan of doing your nails, then you’ve probably tried on some fun fake nails.

But with press-on nails, you’d have to use nail glue to attach.

Now, if you’re reading this, we’re guessing either you’ve run out of nail glue and need to change up your manicure ASAP, or you’re worried about the nail glue containing harsh chemicals or allergens. Either way, you’re probably looking for effective nail glue alternatives.

Don’t worry; you’re in the right place. A good alternative to nail glue should be safe to apply to your natural nail so that it won’t cause any breakage or damage.

So follow along as we look into various nail glue alternatives and find out which are the best ones.

What can you use if you have no nail glue?

How do you stick fake nails on without nail glue? Can you use just any glue?

The temptation to use any glue you can find at home may be strong, but using just any glue could leave damaging effects on your nails.

Think about it, the idea of your fake nails being permanently attached to your natural nails is a very scary thought.

Adhesives like super glue, gorilla glue, eyelash glue, shoe glue, or craft glue are made for different uses. The question is, can they be used as nail glue?

CHECK OUT: Nail glue vs super glue

Alternative to nail glue

Here’s a quick guide to figure out the best fake nail glue alternative:

Can you use super glue instead of nail glue? The thought probably crossed your mind. But is it actually safe to use super glue on your nails?

Super glue is made for industrial purposes, so it’s more concentrated than nail glue.

They both contain the same main ingredient, cyanoacrylate, but since super glue is not made to be used on your skin, it can cause irritations or dermatitis.

Plus, super glue is usually manufactured in less sterile conditions, unlike nail glue and medical-grade glue, so there’s a possibility of chemical contaminants that your body can absorb.

Another thing is that super glue sticks better on rough surfaces; that’s why most brands add etching agents to make them work better. This will cause your nails to lose their top layer, making them thinner and visibly damaged.

Finally, superglue is extremely difficult to remove. Since it’s a concentrated adhesive, you’ll need to soak your nails in acetone for a very long time, making your nails and cuticles dry.

Can I use Gorilla glue for fake nails?

Gorilla glue and super glue may be made for industrial uses, but they differ in their main component.

Gorilla glue is made from moisture-activated polyurethane that expands into materials to stick better. If used for sticking fake nails, it can form air bubbles in between your nails, making it the perfect environment for bacteria and fungi to grow.

Gorilla glue is also extremely hard to remove from your nails since it’s meant for heavy-duty use. Their official website does not recommend using acetone to remove Gorilla glue on your nails or skin.

Also, forcefully ripping out fake nails with dried Gorilla glue could remove your entire natural nail from its nail bed, making the old saying, beauty is pain, really come into your mind.

Can I use eyelash glue instead of nail glue?

Eyelash glue and nail glue have the same ingredients. So technically, eyelash glue can be used as an alternative for nail glue.

But since fake eyelashes are lighter than fake nails, they don’t need as much adhesive power, so they’re not as concentrated as nail glue.

When you use eyelash glue for sticking on fake nails, it won’t last as long as when you use nail glue.

Can I use shoe glue for fake nails?

There are three common types of shoe glues available: urethane, neoprene cement, and super glue.

Super glue is the most common type of glue available as it dries faster than the other two.

As mentioned above, super glue can thin out your nails as it contains etching agents. It can also dry out your nails and cuticles as you need to soak them in acetone for an extended period of time to remove fake nails.

Can you use gel polish as nail glue?

Finally, a nail glue alternative that’s actually made for nails!

Gel nail polish may not be the first thing you’ll think of as a nail glue alternative, but it turns out it can actually work.

Gel nail polish is a special kind of nail polish that contains gel and uses UV or LED light to harden, so it lasts longer than regular nail polishes.

Who knew you could also use it as a nail glue alternative? The only condition is, the fake or press-on nail color must have light colors or be transparent, as the UV or LED light can’t penetrate through opaque or dark colors.

If used correctly, gel nail polish can stick your fake nails on for 1-2 weeks.

CHECK OUT: Why is my gel polish sticky

Can you use real glue on fake nails?

Real glue (or the most recognizable craft glue brand, Elmer’s glue) is used for school or craft projects.

The question is, can you use Elmer’s glue for fake nails? Is it durable enough to keep your fake nails on?

Elmer’s glue can’t attach your fake nails onto your natural nails if used alone. But if it’s mixed with clear nail polish, it can harden into a temporary nail glue.

You can only use this DIY glue for emergency manicure fixes or for a short period of time, like attending a party, since Elmer’s glue is not designed to stick on your nails.

How do you make homemade nail glue?

If the DIY nail glue we mentioned has piqued your curiosity, then here’s an easy recipe for an emergency nail glue alternative:

You’ll only need 3 things:

• Clear nail polish
• White or PVA glue
• Empty nail polish bottle

Procedure:

1. Clean the empty nail polish bottle with soap and water to prevent nail fungus from using dirty containers
2. Once dried, fill in half of the nail polish bottle with PVA glue
3. Fill in the top half of the bottle with clear nail polish
4. Mix the two ingredients using the nail polish brush, or a clean toothpick

And that’s it! An easy temporary nail glue alternative that won’t harm your nails.

Just make sure to close the bottle if you’re not using it to prevent the mixture from drying up.

CHECK OUT: How to clean underneath acrylic nails

Final Thoughts

Press-on or fake nails are a fun way of adding color or design to your nails without spending a lot of money.

But sometimes you run out of nail glue, so, no, this doesn’t mean you can use the first glue you see at home.

Various glues are made for specific purposes, so it’s a good idea to stop and think about whether that glue can cause damage to your nails.

Thankfully, there are nail glue alternatives that are actually effective. Gel nail polish and DIY nail glue are great alternatives, even if it’s only temporary.

It’s still always best to use good quality nail glue, though, to make sure you won’t damage your nails in the long run.

CHECK OUT: How to protect your nails from nail glue

The post Nail Glue Alternatives? appeared first on Polish pretty.

Not only would it have been a waste of your time, but quite a pain for your pockets as well.

Ugh, I understand the struggle. Been there, done that. A faded, crusty nail look isn’t exactly the most pleasing to look at.

So then you start to wonder, what exactly is the secret to achieving a flawless, chip-free manicure?

Well, unfortunately, there isn’t some sort of ancient hocus pocus technique to get your perfect nails to stay intact forever or anything. But what we do have are nail primers!

What does a nail primer do exactly, that it helps with a near-perfect finish for your polished nails?

Eyes here, as the answer, lies within this article!

Is a nail primer the same as a base coat?

There’s a bit of confusion when it comes to differentiating these two nail products.

Nail primer, base coat, same thing, get the job done, right? Both serve to prepare your nails prior to your manicure and allow them to last longer.

While it’s true that they do have their similarities, they work in totally different ways and have their own distinct properties.

For instance, nail primer is a dehydrating product formulated to stick to your nail beds, thus making the product a bit harsher.

Since it acts as a dehydrator, it strips the nails of their natural oils and creates a bit of roughness on the nail plate.

Meanwhile, a base coat adds moisture to your nail beds to strengthen rather than remove them.

Unlike nail primers, which cling to the nail polish applied on top, a base coat provides a protective layer between itself and the pigment above it, filling the small ridges and uneven areas on the nail.

So no, nail primers and base coats are similar, but they are not the same. End of story.

How do you apply nail primer?

Applying nail primer is actually a pretty simple process. You can use the primer with a small brush, and it comes in the form of a clear liquid.

To start, you’ll have to take the brush out, wipe off the excess, and apply a thin layer down the middle of your unpolished nail.

But wait, do you put primer on the whole nail? The answer is no! Nail primer has a way of spreading itself out, so there will be no need to apply it everywhere on your nail plate, lest it dehydrates the entire nail.

However, if your nails are larger than average, you might need to apply a small amount down the sides to even it out. Just remember to steer clear of the cuticle area!

Wait for it to evaporate. It’s going to look like it just disappeared, but it leaves a sticky residue on the nail. At that point, you’re gonna want to proceed with your manicure or your artificial nail service as usual.

Is a nail primer necessary?

Now you might be thinking that with the harshness of nail primer, is it really necessary to apply it every time before painting over them?

Well, nail primers may be harsh, but they also come with their own set of benefits. Other than making your nail polish last longer, they cleanse your nails, providing a clean base for your manicure and also acting as an adhesive.

If you were to go through with the manicure without using it, your nail color would most likely fade quickly and leave your nails not looking as flawless as you’d hoped.

When it comes to acrylic nails, however, nail primers are an essential step. They allow them to stay on firmly since enhancements such as these don’t stick well to moisturized surfaces.

Overall, whether or not it’s necessary depends on if you want them to last long and the kind of nail enhancement you’re planning to get. It also depends if the primer itself is suitable with the type of product being used and if the nails where it is to be applied are in the right condition.

So if your nails are prone to dryness and irritation or they just don’t sit well with dehydrators, then it may be best for them not to use nail primers as often.

How to use nail primer for gel nails

Aside from acrylic nails, nail primer is also an essential step for long-lasting gel nails.

The primer forms a bond with the gel color applied on top of it, making it stick for as long as it can hold. Here’s how you do it:

1. The first thing to do is push back your eponychium (that’s the fancy term for cuticles!). After which, you’ll want to file the surface of your nails and shape them to your liking.
2. Dust off the nail plate using a lint-free wipe with 90% alcohol.
3. This is the part where you follow the steps on how to apply nail primer. Again, be careful not to touch the cuticle area.
4. Apply a thin layer of gel base coat as close to the eponychium as possible.
5. Cure for 30 seconds under a lamp.
6. Paint on a very thin color coat, this time making sure not to get too close to your eponychium or free edge, as all the layers can make it too thick. Then cure your nails for another 30 seconds.
7. Apply the top coat, once again getting as close to the eponychium as possible. In that way, the color is basically sealed in by the lower and uppermost layers. Cure again.
8. Using your lint-free wipe with 90%, wipe away the excess product.
9. Lastly, put on cuticle oil, and you’re good to go!

Wrapping Things Up

In conclusion, a nail primer is a great way to even out your nail texture and keep your nail color from disappearing too soon. It acts as a dehydrator, an adhesive, and a cleanser!

The harshness of this product may not be ideal for everyone, though. So if you’d rather use a substitute product or try another method, that’s totally okay.

Ultimately, it’s all up to you to decide what you think would be the best course of action and make sure your nails get the care they need.

The post What is Nail Primer used for? appeared first on Polish pretty.

But your overthinking mind might wonder, “What’s the catch?” After all, glitters and rhinestones and the most vivid of colors on your fingernails feels like it, at least, has one downside you can’t and must not ignore. You know, like how fire can keep you warm and also burn your house.

Yet, what if there is really none?

It is affordable, quick to apply and remove, and even leaves your nails healthier than your usual gel or acrylic mani. And as you are a smart buyer, there is one more thing which catches your attention: is it cheap for its one-time use only or can you reuse press-on nails?

Yaaaay for you and Mother Earth! These nails are actually reusable! There are certain terms and conditions, of course, as to how often you can do it or even how to properly ensure you can reuse it for later time.

How many times can you reuse fake nails?

Are press-on nails reusable? Yes. That’s one newbie question to be tossed to Neverland.

But there’s a follow up to that you are itching to ask — how many times?

Reusing something is quite a subjective topic. You see, it’s like dropping food on the floor. Do you still pick it up and eat it? Or do you just let it be even if it was there for mere seconds?

Taylor Swift answered it really depends on you.

And perhaps, there lies your clue. Once you remove your fake nails for the first time, they become that dropped food. And now it depends on you to assess it.

A tip: It’s a general rule to only reuse it if it has not lost its aesthetic value a.k.a. if you can still slay with it, go for it. But if it is chipped or has started to peel off, you might not want to reuse that.

Granted, the slightly more expensive ones are more durable. No shock factor there! They don’t chip easily, look better and feel more comfortable. They are more resistant to clumsiness.

But if you started the journey wary or non-committal, it’s alright. The cheap ones can be reused too. Great, right?

Cheap or expensive, there are two conditions to keep in mind so you can reuse them: (1) you took care of them while using and (2) you were careful in removing them.

How to clean press on nails for reuse

On your way to buying press-ons, you have probably heard some nasty rumors about it— how it damages your real nails. It’s not totally unfounded, of course. Someone probably bought a bunch of them and never did any reading on press-ons but for the simple instructions stuffed along with it.

But such things are not earthquakes. They are merely bumps in the road that you can avoid if you stay alert.

The first thing is to always assess (such as in our proverbial dropped food). Is it still nice to look at? No chipping or peel-offs? If yes, then the next thing is to devise the removal of your fake nails.

If you ever wondered where those rumors came from, it’s from the people who ripped their press-ons so hard trying to get them out that their nail beds suffered the consequences.

Removal Method

In order to reuse your press-ons, it is important that you don’t use acetone when removing them. This potentially dissolves the acrylic making up your press-ons. And second, you don’t use too much force that you would eventually break them.

In other words, treat it like a baby falling asleep. You won’t yank it, will you? You have to be patient and gentle.

Okay, now that you took notes of the no-no’s, it’s time for some removal tips.

These days, you can use press-ons with either an adhesive tab, as discussed below, or the classic nail glue.

(May you not be the type to be reminded that super glue is not and never will be an alternative.)

Attached with adhesive tab

1. Loosen the adhesive tab with rubbing alcohol or alcohol-based sanitizer. It doesn’t take that long— just a mere 30 seconds of rubbing around the edges of the extension will do.

2. Gently rock the press-ons from side to side in order to lift the press-ons. If it doesn’t feel as smooth as Excalibur on King Arthur’s hands, then do not pull it out. It will destroy your nails for sure. You can use more alcohol in order to help with the lifting process.

Attached with glue

You probably opted to still apply glue even when there is an adhesive tab. Trust issues or not on your part, you are now committed to a more permanent path. Be it that way, the removal process looks more like a spa day for your nails than a rigorous pull-out session.

1. Your friend here is a warm soapy water for five minutes. It’s like giving your nails a deserved soak in the bathtub after working so hard for you.

2. Further loosen it using oil. Olive oil or coconut oil will do. Soapy baths can be drying so it’s a plus to have this hydration boost!

3. Gently rock your nails from side to side. (Yes, this motion again.) You can soak while rocking if it seems to lift it more naturally. You may have to soak and rock more than you’d prefer but patience is key to healthier nails!

Hardened glue may interfere with the fresh glue and it may not stick as nicely as you want.

You can use any sharp object or tweezers to scrape off the residual glue left. If that is too crass, you can use isopropyl alcohol to do a quick wipe on your press-ons.

As long as you clean off the remnants especially at the back, then all is well for reuse.

CHECK OUT: How to clean underneath acrylic nails

How to reuse press on nails without nail glue

A nail glue should already be stuffed somewhere in the set that you bought. If not or if you happen to lose it, don’t fret.

Adhesive tabs

Adhesive tabs or sticky tabs are your double-sided heroes. It’s the most common alternative to nail glue. They come in different shapes so they perfectly fit each nail. No awkward nail here! One side sticks to your press-on and the other to your nail.

If somehow you can’t get ahold of the official ways of gluing your fake nails, there are always some sage advice that may seem suspect but actually works.

CHECK OUT: How to protect your nails from nail glue

Fashion tapes

If it is just for a one-time event you are showing those glorious nails off for, then make use of something which won’t hold strongly but would still get you through till lights out.

Good thing, fashion tapes are a thing. It’s not just for wardrobe malfunctions!

You can’t go wrong with buying a clear polish. Not only is it a go-to for casual manis but it will rescue you in the most dire of nail situations—including your press-on dilemma.

How to: Paint the back of a press-on with a tiny amount of clear polish. Leave it to air dry until it has a tacky (NOT dry nor wet!) consistency. You can then put it on your nails and hold it still for a minute each.

Base coat and white glue

This is the most unorthodox of the lot but it works the same so here it is!

Pro tip: Work one nail at a time since the base coat can dry easily.

How to: Apply base coat on your nail and before it can dry, cover it generously with white school glue. Brush it out to even out the glue. You can now press the nail and hold it in position for a minute. It cures for only 5 minutes so no long waiting time!

CHECK OUT: Why are nails clear

How often should you replace press-on nails?

The ideal time is when you say it is.

Nah, kidding.

Glue-ons typically last for 2-3 weeks. The give-away is when most of them lift off naturally. One nail can be remedied but when your nails are popping off like popcorns, that’s your cue to remove them.

So there’s your answer. You can replace it when a majority of your nails say it’s time.

And while you are in this line of thinking, do not ever remove glue-on fake nails on the same day. It has a great probability of damaging your real nails. So avoid it!

To make sure you don’t subject your nails to constant replacements and the likelihood of wrecking havoc to your real nails, you must learn how to make them last longer.

Tip 1: Prep religiously. That means, alcohol pads should be at your disposal before you glue on fake nails.

Tip 2: Quality is king. This applies to your choice of glue and press-on themselves. You may choose to put the glue on both your nail and the fake ones just to fully secure them. And when you apply them, put enough pressure for 30 seconds to make it stick better.

Tip 3: Do not come in contact with water. If you really want to ace it, stay dry overnight.

When you finally decide to replace them, you can use the double boiler method.

Pro tip: Slather your nails with oil first before this.

How to: Fill a larger bowl with a couple inches of water then place a smaller bowl with acetone inside. Once the acetone is warm, soak your nails for 5-10 minutes.

FAQs

Can you use press-on nails more than once?

Yes, yes, yes! You can use them as long as they still look presentable. So if you have any plans of reusing, just be careful in removing them.

Can you keep press-on nails?

Yes, you can. But they will naturally pop off after 2-3 weeks (if you are not clumsy!). If you are thinking of re-gluing them, just stop. Fresh glue won’t be as sticky when glue residue is still present on your nails. Besides, it would be thick. Yuck!

Can you reuse Kiss press on nails?

Yes. Kiss offers reusable press-on nails so you could get quality and also have your money’s worth from your nails. An example from their line is Kiss Majestic nails which has up to 3x reusability.

Can you reuse imPress press on nails?

ImPress, Kiss’ sister company, offers a great deal for no-glue press ons. According to imPress themselves, their nails are not reusable. They are made to be flexible to provide a comfortable fit. Removing it will distort this somehow and will not be available for reuse.

CHECK OUT: How to dry gel nail polish without UV light

Takeaway

Press-on nails aren’t and shouldn’t be difficult. If they are, they defeat their purpose. So even with the cautionary tales and onslaught of pro tips that you would probably forget, just take it easy and enjoy.

Sometimes, it can really just be summarized to one sentence— reuse when you can still reuse it and replace when you can’t. It’s a quick rule to master and something you probably do know already.

So get on with it because, as cliche as it sounds, experience is the best teacher.

The post Can you reuse press-on nails? appeared first on Polish pretty.