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Everyone loves a comeback, which is why the beauty of the year 2000 is officially in her Renaissance period. Trends from the early 2000s like tinsel hair, claw clips and pressure nails have made a triumphant return to the beauty space – especially the latter. There are tons more (and way better) options to choose from this time around.
This new generation of press nails has an effect almost identical to expensive salon gel manicures. They also come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and thicknesses. In addition, the quality of the glue has also improved, which means that today’s fake nails last a lot of longer than yesterday’s press-ons.
But remember: while they’re super handy, press-ons aren’t necessarily damage-free. During removal you can risk peeling off layers of your natural nail if you are too rough. When these patches, called keratin granulations, break away, they can leave an “uneven, discolored, and peeling nail,” says New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dana Stern, MD.
However, there are preventive measures you can take to keep your nails intact. To minimize damage, Dr. Stern to apply a coat of clear nail polish before applying. “Polish can be absolutely protective, and it’s generally the removal process that leads to drying and potential damage,” she says. When it comes time to remove your press-ons, she recommends skipping acetone-based nail polish removers — which can dry out and weaken your nails — and instead use warm, soapy water or cuticle oil to weaken the adhesive.
Now that you know how to use Press-Ons safely, let’s get to the shopping. Whether you want to look short and neutral or long and bold with a lively set of claws, we’ve got you covered with the latest and greatest press-on nails.
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