After Weeks of Testing, These Are the Press-Ons That Changed Our Minds About Press-Ons

Welcome to Deep Reviews—your one-stop destination to discover the absolute best products and brands the beauty industry has to offer. The Who What Wear staffers you already know and trust will research, test, and review the market's most sought-after and buzzed-about products to see which formulas (of the hundreds up for consideration) are truly worth your hard-earned money and attention. You can expect honest, completely uncensored feedback and no-BS recommendations our hard-to-please testers endorse without reservations.

To be honest, I wasn't the most obvious choice to spearhead a Deep Review on press-on nails. I'm generally not a faux-nail sort of gal (press-on, gel, acrylic, etc.). In fact, I rarely even have polish on at all—naked nails are much more my thing. This sounds practically sacrilegious coming from a beauty editor, but it's not that I don't love the look of extra-long claws. I can appreciate a stunning design or two, and I write about them frequently! I just find press-ons to be way too clunky as I clack away at my keyboard, detangle my hair, cook dinner, or complete any task that requires an ounce of dexterity.

I'm very picky about what I put on my nails, so you can trust me when I say that I found the press-ons I could actually see myself wearing regularly. I'm not alone! My fellow WWW staffers helped me rigorously test press-on nail kits to discover the best of the best. Below, find the nine sets that triumph in terms of durability, application, and gorgeous design.

Best Overall: Lost Angels Aura Doesn't Lie Press-On Extensions

Rating: 4.8/5

What we liked:

• Two application options—glue for longer wear or adhesive for shorter wear
• High-quality designs
• Great shape and fit
• Mess-free application

What we didn't like:

• They're described as medium length, but they're pretty long, something to note if you prefer shorter nails.

Editor review: "These are the press-ons that changed my mind about press-ons. First, I'll talk about the design. As someone who routinely spends three to four hours (and a whole lot of money) on nail art at the salon, I have high standards. Because these nails are created by one of the most sought-after celebrity nail artists in the biz, Brittney Boyce, they're truly the next best thing to actually getting a manicure from Boyce. The designs really do look like someone spent two hours painting them onto your nails. In fact, I had so many people compliment me while I was wearing my first set in Aura Doesn't Lie, and they could not believe they were press-ons.

"I also appreciate that the shape and fit of these press-ons are so good, and the application was seamless and mess-free. Each set comes with two application options, glue for longer wear and adhesive for shorter wear. I haven't gone the adhesive route yet, but if you use the glue and follow the directions, I can attest that these nails will not budge until you want them to. Although it's probably not advised, I wore mine for three weeks with zero issues. I was shocked!" — Erin Jahns, beauty director

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Chillhouse Bougie Butter Chill Tips

Rating: 4.75/5

What we liked:

• Snug fit that looks natural
• Nice array of sizes
• Lasts longer than other options

What we didn't like:

• There's the potential for air bubbles if you don't use enough glue or pressure while pressing them down.

Editor review: "The first thing I noticed was Chillhouse's nice range of sizes, including one that actually looked natural on my thumbs. The application itself was super seamless, and the results were so chic and elevated, making my fingers appear way longer. They also earned me tons of compliments—a fellow beauty editor even asked me if I got professional Gel-X tips, which proves just how high-quality they really are!

"They stick around for quite a while compared to other press-ons I've tried. These lasted me about a week. It took me a few days to get used to my new nail length as I completed daily tasks (typing was rough initially), but by the time they began to lift, I actually started to miss them!" — Jamie Schneider, senior beauty editor

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PaintLab Milky Gradient Press-On Nails

Rating: 4.5/5

What we liked:

• Great option for shorter-length press-ons
• Natural-looking design
• Mess-free application

What we didn't like:

• A couple of nails lifted after a few days.

Editor review: "I loved the shape, length, and design of these press-ons. They felt really natural and just like a more polished version of my nails. The application was easy, and they felt really securely attached. The length was great, and I only had to do a little bit of filing to get them to fit perfectly." — Natalie Thurman, podcast producer and editor

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Glamnetic Glass Slipper Press-On Nails

Rating: 4.5/5

What we liked:

• Custom-molded, salon-grade design
• Countless designs, shapes, and finishes

What we didn't like:

• One or two nails can pop off after a week. Keep nail glue and an extra nail in your bag for touch-ups.

Editor review: "Glamnetic press-ons are easily the best I've ever tried. I'm not kidding—literally every time I wear these, I get so many compliments, and people don't believe that they're press-ons. I think it lies in the little details. They're custom-molded to emulate the shape and thickness of salon nails, and as a result, they look so natural, even on my petite nails. Plus, Glamnetic offers endless adorable colors and designs, from basic nudes and bright pink to glossy and matte finishes." — Emma Walsh, associate beauty editor, branded content

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Dashing Diva Happily Ever After Nails

Rating: 4/5

What we liked:

• Easy, mess-free application and removal
• Wide array of size options
• Elevated designs with subtle shimmer finish

What we didn't like:

• Tips can feel a bit flimsy.
• Adhesives don't last as long as glue-on options (although these do last longer than most stick-ons).

Editor review: "Super easy to get on! There was no glue, which I was so happy about because the glue can get sooo messy. These were plain-ole stick-ons. I have pretty small fingers and was able to find the right sizes without filing the sides down. They feel comfy on my hands. They [also] file down super easily, as some of the nails were a bit too long for my liking." — Ashley Reichert, junior E-commerce analyst

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Static Nails French 75 Round Reusable Pop-On Manicure

While Shawna's original set is no longer in stock, we've linked a similar style below.

Rating: 3.5/5

What we liked:

• Elegant, classy designs
• Reusable for up to six wears

What we didn't like:

• Can bend easily
• Limited size options

Editor review: "I really love the shape, length, and design of these nails. They're so elegant, classic, and pretty! I think these nails are great in a pinch if you're on a budget and need a polished look for an upcoming event, but I'm not sure I'd wear them all the time in place of a manicure at the salon." — Shawna Hudson, associate beauty editor

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Olive and June Simple Squiggle Tab Press-Ons

Rating: 3.5/5

What we liked:

• Adhesive tabs that are gentler on nails
• Super fun designs that don't look tacky
• Chic-looking nails in a pinch

What we didn't like:

• Sizing was a little off.
• Adhesives generally don't last as long as glue; opt for the latter if you're looking for press-ons with more longevity.

Editor review: "Olive and June has two types of press-ons: one that includes nail glue and one with adhesive tabs. I decided to test the latter since I'm generally impatient when it comes to doing my nails. Plus, I often make a mess with glue. I love how easy this stick-on application is. I had a gorgeous set in less than five minutes. If I was going to an important event and had minimal prep time, these are the press-ons I would reach for. Since there's no glue involved, it's way gentler on my nails. Glue usually leaves white spots on my nail plate, but this removal process left them looking shiny and clean." — Schneider

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Impress Leo Press-On Manicure

Rating: 3/5

What we liked:

• Mess-free application and removal
• Easy to file down if needed
• Over 300 chic designs to choose from

What we didn't like:

• Sizes sometimes didn't match up with lengths.
• Nails labeled "short" lean more medium length.

Editor review: "These were so easy to apply. I was done within five minutes with little effort. There were a ton of designs to choose from, which means there's something for everyone. They lasted surprisingly long! I have a 2-year-old who keeps me on my toes, and having nails is typically a waste. These actually lasted the weekend! They're good for a quick fix when I'm short on time and need clean-looking nails. Removal was easy, and I didn't feel like I was ripping off my nails." — Elise Sultan, senior email marketing manager

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Kiss Bare But Better Premium Press-On Nails

Rating: 3/5

What we liked:

• Looks incredibly natural
• Great for those with shorter nails
• Over 600 design options to choose from

What we didn't like:

• Very thin and can break easily

Editor review: "I loved the shiny, metallic finish, but most of all, I loved the shorter nail length. These were the first press-ons I didn't have to file down to fit my nails! I was able to pop them on, and they looked more natural on my short nail beds. I'm truly obsessed with the short length and almond shape. I also love that these are an affordable option for people who use press-ons regularly. These lasted about five days for me." — Kaitlyn McLintock, associate beauty editor

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What's better for nails—acrylics, gel, or press-ons?

Press-ons have the versatility of being taped on for one-day use or applied with novice-level adhesive so that it is an easy and fast alternative to gels and/or acrylics to do at home. Gel adhesive has a stronger hold and therefore can grip onto the nail very well. Lastly, we have acrylics, which cement onto your nail bed and require a lot more skill and work to manage through. The health and integrity of your nail, specifically speaking, is all dependent on how it is applied and the patience it requires to remove it from your nails.

Just like any nail treatment, as long as the nails were properly prepped and the removal process was gentle and handled with patience, there should not be any irritation or damage to the nail or nail bed. Disruption and damage to the nail matrix mostly happens when the nails are torn off or abrasively removed.

What is the difference between press-ons that use glue versus adhesive?

The difference all lies in the material used. Glue comes in a little bottle, and stick-on adhesives come in the form of double-sided tape. Depending on the mood of the wearer or the occasion, one could be used over the other. For instance, sometimes during editorial shoots, I will use stick-on adhesives so that I can switch out nail looks for multiple looks.

Any tips to help press-ons last longer?

When applying press-ons, start with clean hands. Be sure your nails are dried and dehydrated with alcohol to remove any oils from lotion or hand soaps. Also, too much glue could also lead to it bleeding into the sides of your nails, which can cause them to lift quicker too. You only want the glue to land on your nail and the press-on—nothing else.

What should I do if one of my nails lifts or falls off?

When wearing press-ons, it is smart to keep a few extras in your bag with your glue in case this happens. It's not smart to reapply the one that just fell off back on because you'd risk contamination, water, oil, or dirt getting trapped underneath. Contaminants can lead to fungus, which can lead to other issues we adamantly want to avoid.

What is the best way to safely remove press-ons?

Recently, I have been using Mineral Fusion's remover to gently but efficiently remove press-ons I create and apply for my clients. … [I] wrap [the nails] with cotton and foil at the end of the day to remove the press-on. Their solution works efficiently, in that it removes the nail tips without overdrying the surrounding skin.

The duration it takes for the removal is different from client to client, but what I have found is that the strength, integrity, and beauty of their nails are all intact at completion, which is what we all want—beautiful and healthy nails.

Deep Reviews Research and Testing Process

Each installment of Deep Reviews is weeks—and sometimes months—in the making. This review is no different! We started by looking at other publications for the press-ons they crowned best, compiling a master list of 43 options. We compared and color-coordinated the lists based on how many times each press-on kit was mentioned, and we pored over the reviews and ratings on major beauty retailers before whittling the list down to nine options.

Once we had our list of winners, we sent our editors samples to test and review the press-ons based on the application process, longevity, design, shapes and sizes, plus any other important detail (big or small!) relevant to their testing process. We collected their in-depth feedback, compared all the notes, and wound up with the final rankings you see here.