Painting Press-On Nails Before Applying: Does It Work?

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If you love wearing press-on nails, then you may have considered getting your creative groove on and designing your own glam falsies, especially if you’ve had difficulty finding the perfect color or design that you really want to wear.

But is it really as easy as it looks? Can you paint them before you put them on? Yes, it’s that easy!

And what do you need for painting press-on nails before applying them?

You’ll probably have seen videos on social media of people applying their favorite nail polish and accessories to customize their own press-on nails.

In this article, we’re going to show you what you need to do exactly that!


Contents

Painting Press-On Nails Before Applying

Press-on nails are loved by many nail enthusiasts because they allow you to change up the look of your nails without causing any severe damage to your natural nail bed.

Press-on nails are loved by many nail enthusiasts because they allow you to change up the look of your nails without causing any severe damage to your natural nail bed.

Yeah, they were once kinda tacky. But that’s not the case anymore! These days, press-on nail manicures can even look as glam as having a professional one done at your local nail salon — without the cost that can accumulate if you like changing the design often.

But if the press-on nails you’ve seen being sold leave you feeling rather unexcited, then you’ll be pleased to know that you can also get creative and customize your own to suit your style and needs.

And doing so is easier than you probably think.

In order to do so, you’ll need to get hold of a few tools, besides the right nail size and shape that you want to customize.

If you do need to buy some press-on nails to design, then this kit from BTArtbox, which includes 500 pieces of soft press-ons, should do the trick.

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These clear and square shaped press-ons are made from the highest quality ABS plastic, which is a green-friendly and non-toxic material that doesn’t stink. ABS plastic press-on nails will also make your manicure look more natural while being durable.

The other things you will need to paint your press-on nails are:

  • Sticky putty, Blu-Tack, or adhesive tabs that you have left over from a press-on nail kit
  • Your chosen nail polish colors
  • A press-on nail stand, which will make this job so much easier. It will secure all of your selected nails, so that you can paint them with your favorite nail polish

Application Station

Press on nail stand

This Treamlyn 10-piece stand for press-on nails will help you to design and display your nail art, as well as make the polishing process much easier.

The stand can also be used to let your polished press-on nails dry overnight, so that they will be ready to apply when you wake up in the morning.

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The nail stand is also small enough to fit inside a standard LED or UV lamp too, so if you decide to use a gel polish that needs curing, you won’t have to remove the press-on nails first (you’ll also avoid UV damage to your hands).

It’s made of high quality plastic, and has a magnetic bottom that will hold it in place while you work your creative magic on your press-on nails.


Paint Job

After you’ve chosen and filed your press-on nails into the shape that you want, you’ll need to apply a small amount of putty onto the back, and then secure it to the nail stand ready for action.

When you have secured your press-on nails in place on the nail stand, just simply apply a couple of coats of the nail polish you want to use, and then wait for them to dry fully. And that’s it! It really is that simple.

When you have secured your press-on nails in place on the nail stand, just simply apply a couple of coats of the nail polish you want to use, and then wait for them to dry fully. And that’s it! It really is that simple.

Of course, you don’t need to leave it at just your favorite nail polish color. You can also get more creative and bring on the bling, if that’s your kind of thing.

For example, why not try adding stickers, charms or rhinestones? This 3440-piece rhinestone kit by Belleboost will definitely get your creative juices flowing, as well as add an iridescent shine to your customized press-on nail design.

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Final Tip

If you’ve ever wondered about painting press-on nails before applying, you can! It’s really easy — and it can also be a whole lot of fun!

So, if you love wearing press-on nails and are ready to up your style game, then why not try doing this yourself? Then you can wear the exact style of nails that you want — and you may even become the envy of your friends in the process!

Written by Kayla Young

Kayla is the founder of LuxeLuminous. She has worked professionally in the tanning industry for years. She has been interested in esthetics since childhood, and has tried every hair, skin, and makeup product ever produced (more or less).