Life is hectic and for most of us, constantly visiting a nail salon for that perfect manicure just isn’t possible. Keeping up with nail maintenance at home can also be low on the priority list, but there’s always that occasion that just happens to pop up where unkempt nails just aren’t an option. Be it that last minute invite out, a holiday party we forgot about or that important meeting – perfectly manicured nails gives us the confidence to put our best foot forward.
So, what do you do when you have that moment of realization that you forgot all about your nails? ImPRESS Nails Press-on Nails to the rescue!
Press on nail technology has come a long way. You may recall the days of “Lee Press-on Nails” that were all the rage in the 80’s – but then suddenly press on nails were a thing of the past. Probably due to the embarrassment people suffered when losing one (or more) nails in the middle of an important event! The latest ImPRESS Nails press-ons are flexible, waterproof and stay put for up to a week.
As a girl that’s TERRIBLE at applying nail polish these were a lifesaver for me. My nails were in awful shape after self-removal of shellac polish, and I needed a solution in a pinch as I had a few important events lined up for the week.
The package of ImPRESS nails came with 24 nails in 12 different sizes. There were a few accent nails in the package I chose (Harlem Shake) but I only used the solid colours. The first thing I did was to line up all the nails I wanted to use and match them up according to my nail shapes so that I didn’t need to fumble around afterwards. The package also comes with a pre-soaked prep pad to ensure your nails are super clean before beginning.
Application was incredibly easy, especially for someone clumsy like me. The instructions on the back of each package make it super easy to follow. Total application (after prepping my nails) probably took me about 15 minutes. Here are what the nails looked like right after they are applied.
I prefer my nails SUPER short so I actually cut them to the desired length. It’s a good idea to wait about an hour before cutting or filing the nails down; the press-on nails are flexible and will adhere to the shape of your own nails making them look really natural.
I was really impressed (no pun intended) with how they looked. It was just like getting a shellac manicure – my nails looked like I had perfectly applied nail polish on and they were super shiny. They also felt incredibly natural. I’ve tried press-on nails in the past and was only able to stand them for a few days since I was always conscious of them on. The only time I ever remembered that I had fake nails on was when my hair would get caught in the space between the press on nails and my natural nail – the same feeling you may have experienced if you’ve ever had a split nail. Also, as the week progressed I would notice lint and dirt getting caught up in the adhesive of the nails at the tips, so I had to remove that every once in a while.
But how long did they last? I was able to wear the nails for just over a week before they started lifting! By that time my hair was then getting caught along the sides more often and it was annoying me so I started to remove them. Removal was very easy too; I was able to simply lift the nails off at the sides and slowly peel them away. If the nail seems super stuck, nail polish remover can be applied at the sides, left on for a minute and you should be able to slowly peel the press on nail off.
With over 40 fun colours, designs and accent nails to choose from there is something for everyone! They’re a great alternative to expensive manicures and lengthy DIY nail sessions.
You can purchase impress Press-On Manicure nails for approx. $9.47 at Walmart, London Drugs and Jean Coutu.
