How to Apply Fake Nails

Remove old fake nails or polish. You need to remove any old polish, even if it's clear, before applying fake nails. The old polish can prevent the fake nails from adhering properly. If you skip this step, your fake nails may fall off within one or two days.

• If you've previously applied fake nails, whether acrylic or gel, it's important to remove them. You can use acetone or another method to do this.
• Wash your hands after using acetone or any other nail polish remover, as the chemicals can dry out your nails.

Soak your nails. This preparatory step before applying fake nails helps keep your natural nails healthy and ensures the fake nails stay on longer. Soak your nails in warm water for about 5 minutes until they become soft and smooth. Afterward, use a towel to dry your hands and nails.

• If you'd like, you can add body wash or hand soap to the water, but avoid soaking your hands in water containing oil. While oil-soaking is great for moisturizing, oil on your hands before applying fake nails can make them less likely to stick.

Trim and file your nails. Use nail clippers and scissors to trim your nails to an even length. You'll want to shorten them, but avoid cutting them too short. Leave a small edge to make it easier for the fake nails to adhere. Then, use a nail file to smooth the edges.

Push back the cuticles. After soaking your nails, your cuticles will be soft, making it easier to push them back with a wooden stick or specialized tool. This ensures that the fake nails will adhere to your nails rather than the skin.

• Do not cut your cuticles; just push them back. The cuticle protects your nails from infection, and cutting it can cause dirt and bacteria to accumulate.

Buff your nails. Use a nail buffer to smooth the surface of your nails. This creates a slightly rough texture, making it easier for fake nails to adhere. Wipe away any dust left on your nails after buffing.

Prepare your fake nails. Open the fake nail box and arrange the nails in the order that you will apply them to your fingers. The largest fake nail will go on the thumb, and smaller ones will go on the smaller fingers. Make sure the fake nails match your natural nails, and use a nail file to trim the edges if needed.

• The simplest fake nails are applied with glue. Your fake nail set will include nails for each finger along with a small bottle of glue.
• If you have an acrylic kit, the process becomes more intricate. You can find tutorials for applying acrylic to your nails to learn the technique.
• If you use a gel kit, look for tutorials on how to apply the gel to your nails.

Apply the first nail. Apply a small amount of glue to your natural nail, then add glue to the underside of the fake nail (the side that will adhere to your natural nail). Carefully press the fake nail onto your natural nail, aligning the bottom edge with your cuticle line. Press the nail down and hold it for about 10 seconds to ensure it sticks.

• Ensure the fake nail is flush against your natural nail with no gaps.
• Don’t use too much glue. Just a small amount is enough. If glue spills over, you can gently wipe it away with a cotton swab.
• Be cautious to avoid applying the fake nail crookedly since the glue dries quickly.
• Start with your dominant hand first.

Repeat the process for the remaining nails. Apply glue to each nail one by one, making sure to press down firmly for about 10 seconds for each one to ensure a strong bond to your natural nails.

File the nails into your desired shape. Use a standard nail file to shape your nails into square, round, or any shape you prefer. If you’re satisfied with the shape of the fake nails as they are, you can skip the filing step!

Apply nail polish. Some fake nails already come with a design, but if they’re plain, you can add your own decoration. If you're aiming for a classic look, simply pick a beautiful color of polish. Aside from a solid color, you can try these fun styles:

• Create an ombre effect on your nails
• Paint floral designs on your nails
• Achieve a galaxy-like sparkle effect
• Draw a ladybug on your nail
• Create marble nails

Apply a glitter effect. You can add a layer of glitter polish over any color, but if you want your nails to really stand out, you can purchase a pack of crystal-like gems to stick onto your nails. For more sparkle, you can place several gems on each nail or use them as accent pieces to highlight your design.

French manicure. This style has a natural, elegant look that works perfectly with fake nails. If you want your fake nails to look more realistic, the French manicure is a great option. You can either purchase a French manicure kit or use pink, white, and topcoat polish to achieve this look.

Use a nail art pen. These pens come in a variety of colors and make it easy to create the design you want without leaving any mess from nail polish. You can create polka dot patterns or more intricate designs like pandas or strawberries.

• Ensure your fake nails are large enough and properly fitted so they don’t expose your natural nails underneath.
• Your natural nails should be clean and free from any old polish.
• Avoid letting oil get on your nails while applying fake nails to prevent them from easily falling off.
• Be careful after applying fake nails. Don’t bite them like you would your natural nails, as it could cause damage, and you definitely don’t want that.
• Don’t let glue touch your skin. Only apply a small amount of glue.
• Pick fake nails that suit you best!
• Use a nail buffer tool before applying fake nails for the best results.
• For optimal results, you should buff your nails before applying fake nails using a nail buffer tool.

• The glue dries VERY quickly, so be sure to have everything ready before you start applying the fake nails.

• A set of fake nails
• Nail glue
• A nail file
• Wooden stick
• Nail clippers
• A nail buffer
• Nail polish