Professional, glamorous, sexy, or bedazzled – your nails are a special way to feel pampered, express yourself, and complete your look. For nail lovers, there are so many options in the current nail fashion. You can choose from press-on nails, acrylic nail enhancements, gel nails, dip powder nails, and whatnot.
In such a scenario, there is a lot of debate on whether press-on nails are better than other fake nail extensions. Let’s take a deep dive into the details trying to uncover which is superior.
What are Fake Nails?
As obvious as the name, fake nails are any kind of artificial nails that are not natural. These include any type of nail enhancements – acrylic, gel, press-ons, dip powder. When it comes to salon nail extensions, they are done by professional nail technicians using certain products, chemicals, tools, and techniques. On the other hand, press-on nails are for you to DIY at home with minimal products and tools.
What are Press-On Nails?
Press-on nails, as against other fake nails, are ready-made nail enhancements to be used at home. These come in a variety of shapes, lengths, sizes, colors, and designs to choose from. They are predesigned and you need not work on giving proper shape of length or art to the nail tips. All you need to do is choose the correct set for yourself, size them properly, use the right glue, apply them correctly, and flaunt your artwork. You don’t require any professional assistance when using press-ons, all you need is some practice and patience.
Pros and Cons
When it comes to comparison, different types of fake nails have their own set of pros and cons. There is a good and bad of everything and you need to choose what you want to settle for. Some of you may love salon nail enhancements and hate press-ons while some of you swear by press-on nails and hate acrylics or gels, whereas some of you may love or hate both.
Irrespective of personal opinions, let’s get into the details of what are the benefits and drawbacks of different kinds of fake nails.
1) Salon Nail Enhancements
Pros
● They have higher durability. They last for 4-5 weeks or more.
● They are customizable in shape, size, length, and design, as per individual nail needs.
● They are done with proper salon manicures by professional nail technicians.
Cons
● They aren’t natural-looking.
● They are very time-consuming. You have to book appointments and spend a lot of time at the salons.
● They are very expensive. One set can cost you anywhere from $30 to $60 or can even range up to $100.
● They need to be refilled or removed in the salon only. You cannot do it at home.
● They cause a lot of damage to your natural nails especially if you do them regularly.
2) Press-On Nails
Pros
● They are ready-to-wear and come in a variety of options to choose from. You can see the final look before buying the set.
● They save time. You can apply and remove them at home without any professional assistance. You don’t need to book appointments or spend long hours in the salon.
● They are inexpensive. You will spend around $20 to $40 for a good-quality set and can also get some sets at $10.
● They don’t damage the natural nails.
Cons
● They aren’t long-lasting. They usually last for a week or two, and the maximum you can make them last for is 4 weeks.
● They aren’t as durable and can easily pop off if you use your hands aggressively. You may even face some problems when using them in your daily routine.
● Some drugstore products look cheap-quality and can ruin your appearance.
Understanding Press-On Nails’ Superiority Over Others
The purpose of opting for salon nail enhancements is different than that for press-ons. Professional fake nails are stronger and last longer but they also cost too much and can harm your natural nails more than press-ons do. There are many other advantages press-on nails offer that make them superior to other fake nails:
1) Ease and Convenience
Press-on nails are a quick and hassle-free solution to all your nail needs. They are obviously better than your regular nail polishes, but when it comes to salon-based nail extensions, press-ons are still an easy and convenient option. They do not require you to spend hours booking nail appointments and waiting at the salons. Also, you need not learn tutorials or too many steps; you can easily apply your press-ons at home following a few simple steps, and even remove them effectively without any fuss.
2) Affordability and Cost-Effectiveness
Apart from being easy on your time, press-on nails are also easy on your pockets. You can save so many bucks simply by switching from the habit of getting acrylic or gel nail enhancements to using press-ons, especially if you do it regularly. While salon nail extensions can get really expensive, press-on nails are quite cheaper and you can even reuse them making them the best bet. You can find varieties and options in all different ranges from $10 to $100 and can choose whatever suits your budget.
3) Variety and Versatility
Talking about variety, you can find all the different shapes sizes, and colors you like in ready-made sets for you to choose from. Whether you like extra-long stilettos in bold reds, are a fan of long coffins in over-the-top designs, love medium almonds in matte nude colors, or simply want to try everything. There is a set to cater to all your individual tastes. You can even be creative with mixing and matching between sets to make a unique design for yourself.
4) Damage-Free Application
If being convenient, affordable, and versatile was not enough, press-on nails are also safe for your natural nails. If you are efficient with your applications and careful with your removals, press-on nails cause very little to no damage to your nails. And even if there happens to be some damage whatsoever, it can be reversed quickly and easily making it a win-win.
Let’s get into further detail about whether press-on nails are better than other fake nails when it comes to being damage-free.
Are Press-Ons Less Damaging than Other Fake Nails
Though acrylics, gels, and other fake nail options are longer-lasting and salon-quality, the chemicals and abrasive tools used in them cause a lot more damage to your natural nails than you would imagine. Contrarily, press-on nails are much more safe for your nails and they provide a temporary solution to nail enhancements. In contrast to extensions, which demand constant maintenance and limit style changes to maintain nail shape, press-ons provide a convenient and temporary replacement to fulfill your changing nail needs.
Moreover, professional fake nail extensions can cause nail thinning making your nails weak and brittle reducing the lifespan. They can also cause pain in your nail bed which will become annoying and will take time to recover. On the flip side, press-ons can offer a painless solution if applied and maintained correctly.
Excessive chemical exposure in nail enhancements also causes harm to the natural nail bed. This includes soaking in acetone, using acrylic powders and hard gels, or exposing the nail surface to other chemical compositions. Whereas with press-on nails, the only chemical that touches the natural nail is the nail glue or the adhesive glue tabs. The good part is, if you are getting press-ons for only a few hours or a specific event or occasion, you can use the glue tabs which are completely damage-free for your nails.
Exposure to UV or LED lights is also eliminated when you’re using press-on nails. You don’t need to cure your nails under the lamp on every step and wait for the product to harden before moving forward, saving you so much time. Besides, excessive heat from the the curing lamps can damage your nails further and over-drying of the product can become too hard causing pain and discomfort in your natural nails.
Other scary damages that come with acrylic or gel enhancements are fungal infections, allergic reactions, heat burns, etc. But you can be safe if you make the smart choice of using press-on nails instead.
Wrapping Up
The debate between press-on nails and other fake nails is nuanced, with each option offering its own set of advantages and disadvantages. While traditional fake nail extensions have been a popular choice for many, they can potentially cause damage to the natural nails if not applied or removed properly. On the other hand, press-on nails provide a convenient and cost-effective alternative. Their ease of application, variety of designs, and ability to be easily removed without causing harm make them a superior choice for those looking for temporary nail enhancements.
Ultimately, the choice between press-on nails and other fake nails depends on individual preferences and priorities. Regardless, it is important to prioritize nail health and proper application techniques to ensure beautiful and healthy nails in the long run.
