Imagine you ordered a press-on nail set of the design of your dreams. You have been eagerly waiting for the package to arrive and when it does, all your excitement drops down seeing that the set doesn’t fit! What a nightmare!
Fitting in a certain size isn’t our goal in 2024. But that’s not true when it comes to nails. Press-on nails are not ‘one size fits all’ because all fingernails are unique and beautiful in their way. Small fingers or long, wider nail beds or short, bulky hands or petite – nothing should stop you from flaunting your beautiful press-ons. Say goodbye to guesswork and hello to the perfect fit when it comes to nails!
Now the question is, how to size your nails properly when it comes to getting your press-ons customized? The Nails Girl is here to answer this question for you and to guide you with using press-on nail sizing kits.
Understanding Custom Press-On Nails
Press-on nails are predesigned, ready-to-wear nail enhancements that come with all the tools needed for at-home application. If you love DIYing your manicures, press-ons can be the best solution for you as you can get salon-quality nails on your own.
These days, many nail salons and professional nail techs offer customization options when it comes to press-on nails. So you need to buy those drugstore press-ons to later realize they look so fake and old-school. You can now get press-on nails tailored to your specific nail shape, size, and style, and show off a perfect look every time.
Customization isn’t only about the design or the nail art of your press-on nails. One essential element is using a sizing kit for your nails to choose the shape, length, and width of your press-ons to get the perfect set customized.
Well-fitting press-ons should fit comfortably and should cover your entire nail bed. It should not fall short when fitting from side to side, but should also not fit so loose that it touches the skin. Press-on nail sizing kits are a simple way for you to find your nail size and ensure getting the perfect fit.
How to Size Your Nails Properly
Nail sizes are not like garment sizes with labels like XL or XXL. Don’t rely on assumptions or comparisons to clothing sizes; nail sizes are a world of their own.
If you are buying a press-on nail set for general all-purpose use, you may find nails from sizes 0 to 9 and you need to choose the one closest to your natural nail size. These come in a full set of 20 non-customized nails and usually have basic designs. You can choose the size that best suits you and go ahead with it. But these sets are not designed uniquely for you as per your nail shape, width, and size.
All nails are different from each other and you don’t need to fit your nails to the press-ons. Instead, look for ways to size your nails properly and get a custom press-ons set designed for your natural nail shape and structure. For the best fit, the ideal way is to measure the nail from sidewall to sidewall (or edge to edge), on the widest part of your nail bed, following your natural curve. This idea is true no matter what method you choose to size your nails.
Out of all the different methods professionals use for sizing press-on nails, the best and most reliable ones are using sizing cards or sizing kits. These are given to you when you want to get a set custom-designed for you as per your nail size and don’t want to make mistakes by ordering the wrong sizes.
Sizing cards or sizing charts are postcards made by nail techs as a reference for different sizes such as small, medium, large, extra-small, etc. Here you get general sizes that are common in different categories and you can choose the one closest to your nail size. You have to identify the width and length of your nail bed and choose which number from 0 to 9 matches which fingernail. You can then buy the nail set in your chosen category of size and you get a set of 12-14 fake nail tips accordingly.
The good thing about sizing charts is that you get better designs for your ascent nails than those in the basic nail sets. But the downside is that not all shapes have the same sizes. You may have a certain size when you choose coffin nails but your size will differ from this when you go for square nails. This is because certain shapes are tapered while some are broad.
The best solution for this is using sizing kits. You can order these kits for different shapes and lengths and investing in them once will be handy for you if you keep buying press-ons regularly. Let’s get into the details of how to size your nails properly using press-on nail sizing kits.
Press-On Nail Sizing Kits
When it comes to perfectly sizing your nails for press-ons, the sure-shot way to rely on is using sizing kits. These are nothing but a set of all the nail sizes from 0 to 9 in your chosen nail shapes and lengths. When you order a sizing kit from a professional press-on nail artist, you will get this set. You need to measure each fingernail individually using the fake nail tip samples provided. For each finger, write down the number given on the tip and send this back to your nail tech.
You can either send the entire kit back to the professional after measuring your nail size or simply text them your sizes for both hands. This approach doesn’t rely on guesswork and you get to choose almost the perfect size for your press-ons every time, no matter the length and shape you want.
What is It?
A sizing kit is nothing but a postcard containing fake nail tips numbered from 0 to 9. These tips are samples of those being used to create your actual press-ons. The kit comes in the shape and length that you choose for your design and you get the real picture of how the nails will be sized uniquely for yourself.
These allow you to be self-dependent when it comes to determining what size fits your nail structure without being worried about how your hands and fingernails look. This is an ideal way to get guaranteed measurements every time even if you keep on changing the shape and length of your nails.
Pros and Cons
Pros
1) Eliminates the guessing game. Especially if you are a noob, incorrect sizing using guesswork is not going to help. If you invest in a sizing kit, it will help you get accurate measurements by actually placing the tip on each nail and seeing how the tips sit on your hands.
2) One-time buy. If you are planning to be regular in using press-on nails in your DIY manicure routine, investing in sizing kits would be a one-time thing. You can order the kits for the lengths and shapes that you generally prefer. You don’t need to remember your sizes for all 10 fingers in different shapes. Instead, the sizing kit would be handy whenever you wish to order a new set.
Cons
1) Shipping costs and wait times. If you have a sudden plan for an event and need to order press-ons for that, you won’t have the time to wait for the nail tech to ship your sizing kit, and once you confirm your size after receiving it, then they will start customizing your set. This will waste time unnecessarily in case of emergencies. Also, it may incur additional shipping costs over your press-ons, increasing the overall budget of your manicure.
2) Not for single use. If you are a newbie or planning to just give press-ons a try for once, you know that you won’t be using or ordering them again. On account of this, the sizing kit would be of no use and you may not be happy getting one.
3) You have to buy all the shapes and lengths. If you keep experimenting with the lengths and shapes of your press-ons every time, it will be a hassle to invest in buying all the different sizing kits and storing them.
How to Use It?
When you get your sizing kit as per your chosen length and shape, you need to learn how to size your nails properly using it. It’s easy – start with one finger at a time. Let’s say you are measuring for your left pinky. Look for sizes that appear closest to your pinky; you need not be accurate with this, just guess. Check the tiny numbers at the back of the fake tips to read the sizes. Usually sizes 8 and 9 are right for pinky fingers.
Place the sample fake tip on your nail and see how it fits. The perfect size is the one that fits from side to side and across the nail. The tip should not be overlapping the cuticle or touching the surrounding skin. Suppose size 8 fits you well for your left pinky. Mention it in the box or note it down and move on to the next finger.
It is easier to measure same fingers of both hands side by side as they are usually the same or similar in size. So now again measure sizes 8 and 9 on your right pinky. If you don’t find the most accurate size that sits perfectly in your nail contours, always choose the bigger size as you can file it down. Using smaller sizes will make your press-ons pop out.
Once you are done noting down the sizes for all the fingers, you may optionally try placing them gently on all the fingers at a time to see how the final look will be. Finally, share the sizes with your manicurist and wait for your perfect nail set designed uniquely for you.
Wrap-Up
Mastering the art of properly sizing your nails for press-ons can revolutionize your nail game. While press-on nail sizing kits offer convenience and accuracy, they come with a few drawbacks, such as shipping costs and the need to purchase multiple shapes and lengths. However, investing in a sizing kit eliminates the guesswork and is a one-time purchase that can save you time and frustration in the long run. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can confidently size your nails for press-ons, achieving a flawless and comfortable fit that enhances your overall look.
