Press-on nails get a bit of a bad rap because they’re seen as cheap knockoff versions of high-quality manicures. This used to be true, but in recent years, acrylic nail technology has leveled up so much that you can get a full set of store-bought or handmade glue ons and no one would really be able to tell the difference between the two.
This, of course, comes down to selecting the right brand. There are still quite a few options that are cheap, but also mighty cheap-looking. So you might want to do some research before you go shopping for the perfect set of reusable faux nails.
No worries there though! We cut out the middleman and did all of the research for you. If you’re looking for beauty on a budget, here are 4 of the best press-on nails to try at home.
Crowned And Polished
If you’re looking for nails that are beautiful in their simplicity, but still high-end,
Crowned and Polished is your girl. This black-owned, reusable nail brand has a little something for every woman, offering up two different collections: Essentials and Luxury.
The Essentials Collection features bold, solid colors that are wearable for everyday and can match with any and everything, while the Luxury Collection deep dives into two-tone colors (like the fire Sage Intentions nails featured above), glitter accents, and intricate designs.
Both collections come in four different lengths and shapes, and can be sized up or down to fit the size of your nails. Plus, each set of press-ons comes with a small installation kit that contains glue, a file, a buffer, adhesive tabs, and an alcohol pad for prep.
Clutch Nails
One of the biggest issues we run into with press-on nails is that they’re typically a bad fit. Clutch Nails is one of the few instant manicure nail brands that does a great job of making sure all the nails comfortably get up under that cuticle and look as natural as possible.
If you’re someone who loves to change up your nails to keep them fresh and fun, you’re in luck. Clutch Nails offers up 24-piece sets of dope designs (like the Rainbow French Tips pictured above) in matte, glittery, or glossy finishes. And get this—they’re all under $20!
And since this brand prides themselves in creating durable, longwear press-ons that were designed to last up to 2 weeks. That means one pack will give you not one, but two instant manicures, so you’re really getting the bang for your buck!
Marmalade Nails
Marmalade Nails are the epitome of salon quality press-ons because they offer any and everything your heart desires. From the standard coffin-shaped, matte finish nails in a simple color like Burgundy, to a soft pink-blue ombre like Cotton Candy—they got it all!
This brand offers a total of 73 different sets of nails that come in 4 shapes and 6 styles, including Chrome, Nude & Neutral, and Iridescent. And like all other high-quality instant manicure brands, they also come with the OG nail finishes, matte and glossy.
Each pack comes with a set of 24 nails in 12 different sizes, nail file, HQ-free certified glue, manicure stick, Marmalade press-on removal tool, and an application guide to help you get started. You don’t have to worry about a thing! Pretty convenient, right?
Luxxi Nails
If you’re having a hard time keeping up with all the nail trends throughout the seasons, no worries—Luxxi Nails does it for you. There is not one style in the entire collection that can be called plain or basic! Each set is characterized by unique shapes, designs, and shades.
From swirls and geometric patterns to multicolor french tips, each set of nails has its own flavor that align with what’s currently hot in nail trends. Can’t decide on one style? No worries! You can actually bundle a few of your favorite styles together!
This feature is called a Bento Box and it comes with 4 styles of your choice, a set of rings, and a special cuticle oil. All of the press-on nails and additional items are valued at $87, but we get them for $59! That’s like 8 trips to the salon for the price of one—what a steal!
