How to Create Fake Nails at Home Without Nail Glue

Cut 6-10 layers of paper for each nail. You can use newspaper, magazines, craft paper, printer paper, or even napkins, but thicker paper will make the nails sturdier. Cut the paper into nail shapes that match the size and shape of your nails. Then, use the shape you just cut to make more layers of paper that are the same size and shape. Stack multiple layers of paper on top of each other, place the template on top, and cut around it to create matching shapes.

• The more layers of paper you use, the stronger your fake nails will be.
• If it’s difficult to keep the layers together, you can tape the stack of paper loosely or use paper clips to hold the paper together until you’re ready to use it.

Mix a paste using 1 tablespoon of flour and some water. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of flour into a bowl and add just enough water to form a thick paste like glue. This paste will harden as it dries, helping to strengthen and firm your nails.

• An alternative is to mix cornstarch and cold water in a 1:1 ratio in a bowl until smooth. Mix about 80 ml of this mixture. Stir it with 1 cup (240 ml) of hot water, then wait for the mixture to cool and thicken.
• Lay down plastic to protect your work surface while mixing and stirring the paste to avoid a mess.

Use the mixture to glue the layers of paper nails together. Using a small paintbrush, apply a thin layer of the flour or cornstarch paste onto each paper nail shape. After applying the paste, stick a matching paper nail shape on top. Continue adding layers until all the pieces are glued together into a fake nail, then move on to the next nail.

• Once a nail is complete, apply paste to both the front and back of the nail to fully coat it.
• If you've ever worked with papier-mâché, this process will feel very familiar. Simply follow the same steps to create fake nails!

Wait overnight for the nails to dry. Now that your fake nails are assembled, you'll need to be patient and let them dry. Place the nails in a dry area and leave them overnight to harden.

• After the nails have dried for a few hours, gently bend them. You’ll need to curve the nail slightly in the middle so it matches the natural curve of your real nails.

Cut and file the nails. Once the nails are completely dry, you can use scissors to trim them into the desired shape. Smooth out any rough edges using a nail file or buffer.

• If any paste is left on the nails after trimming and filing, use a makeup brush to gently remove the excess powder.

Apply the fake nails with double-sided nail tape. Use double-sided tape or skin-safe adhesive tape (such as those used for wigs) to attach the fake nails to your real nails. Make sure your natural nails are clean and dry for the fake nails to stick securely.

• You may want to file the surface of your natural nails beforehand to help the fake nails adhere better.
• Double-sided tape or wig tape for nails can be purchased online or at beauty supply stores.

Paint your nails according to your preference. Start with two coats of clear base coat. Wait for it to dry, then apply your desired color. Unless you prefer to keep the rustic look of the paper nails, it’s best to use an opaque color to cover the paper underneath.

• Remember to paint the edges of your nails to seal the paper layers beneath.
• Get creative with unique nail art! Add rhinestones, decals, or cute designs to complete your fake nails.
• These nails won’t be as durable as standard acrylic, gel, or plastic nails. However, they can be a fun option if you want a unique look for a day or two.
• While multiple coats of polish can make the fake nails water-resistant, they might not be completely waterproof. Water can damage the paper if it seeps in. Wear gloves when showering and be cautious while washing your hands.

Cut a plastic straw into 10 short pieces. Slice a straw into small segments, each the length of the fake nail you want to create. Plastic straw nails are quite sturdy, so you can cut them to any length! These nails will cover the entire real nail, from the cuticle to the tip, so make sure each segment is long enough to fully cover your nail and extend a bit beyond the tip.

• You may need more straws if you want to make longer fake nails.
• Any type of plastic straw can be used for this project. However, if you’re using a twisty straw, make sure to cut off the twisted part and only use the straight section.

Shape the straw pieces into nail shapes. Use sharp scissors to cut the straw lengthwise so it opens up. You’ll now have a plastic strip that fits the curve of your real nail. Trim each straw segment to match the size and shape of your nails.

• You can also customize the tip of the nails. For example, cut them into a pointed, square, or round shape, according to your preference.

Use double-sided tape for extra reinforcement. If your newly cut straw nails feel a bit flimsy, you can strengthen them with additional straw segments. Apply double-sided tape to the underside of each nail and attach a new straw piece the same length as the nail on top.

• If the added straw sticks out after gluing, trim it with scissors or a nail clipper for a smooth edge.

Decorate your nails before applying them if desired. If you're using colorful or patterned straws, you might not want to paint your nails to cover them. However, even if you like the base color of the straw, you can still add a little extra flair! One option is to paint designs on your nails with acrylic paint or nail polish before attaching them. Flatten the nail and use double-sided tape to stick it to a piece of paper, then use a fine brush or nail decoration tool to create designs.

• If you paint your nails, make sure they are completely dry before applying to your fingers to avoid smudging.
• You can also use craft glue to attach stones or cute decals to your nails.

Attach nails using double-sided tape. Before applying the nails, clean and file your real nails to help the fake nails adhere better. Use tape or a skin-safe double-sided adhesive like the one used for attaching wigs to apply the nails. Stick a piece of tape on each nail, peel off the paper layer to expose the adhesive, and press the fake nail down to stick.

• Fake nails attached with double-sided tape or nail adhesive can last up to 5 days before peeling off.

Paint your nails as you like. If you haven't decorated your nails yet, now is the time to do it. Apply a few layers of your favorite nail polish, and your new nail set is complete.

• Since these are plastic nails, you don't have to worry about them getting wet. However, be cautious when dipping your hands into soapy water to prevent the adhesive from peeling off.
• If the nails maintain their shape after removal, you can always reuse them!

Cut 10 pieces of multi-layer tissue paper to match the desired length of your nail tips. You can use toilet paper or craft foam, the kind of paper often used in gift bags. Use multi-layered tissue so that each nail tip has at least four layers – this makes the nail stronger. Cut the tissue paper into pieces that match the length of your desired nail tip, adding about a third of the nail's actual length.

• If you're using single-layer foam or tissue paper, you can also cut long strips and fold them in an accordion style to create layers.
• You only need to cut the shape of the nail tip, not the entire nail. With this technique, you'll use the paper to extend the nail tip and then cover the rest of the nail with nail polish.

Apply a few drops of white glue between each layer of paper. Use PVA glue, which becomes transparent when dry, such as Elmer’s Glue-All, Gorilla Wood Glue, or Fevicol. Using a small brush, apply glue to each layer of tissue paper and press it down to create a firmer nail tip.

Roll the pen or paintbrush over the nail tips to press the paper layers tightly together. This step also helps create a slight curve, allowing the nail tip to match the natural shape of your nails.

• Do not wrap the paper tightly around the pen or paintbrush. Simply place the piece of paper in your hand and gently roll the pen along its length, similar to rolling dough with a rolling pin.

Allow the nail tips to dry. Place the nail tips in a warm, dry area to let the glue harden. Since the nail tips are small, they will dry quickly.

• Depending on the amount of glue used, PVA glue typically dries in about 30 minutes. It can take up to 24 hours for the nails to fully dry, harden, and become water-resistant.

Mix equal parts nail polish and white glue. This mixture will be used to attach the nail tips to your natural nails, while also hardening the tips and giving them a nail-like texture. Mix a few drops of glue with an equivalent amount of clear nail polish.

• You can also create a similar adhesive by mixing clear craft glue with cornstarch to form a thicker paste. When it dries, this mixture can be a little stronger than the glue and nail polish mixture.
• Depending on the temperature and dryness of your working area, you may need to work quickly before the glue begins to dry. However, craft glue typically takes about 30 minutes to fully dry, so there's no rush.

Apply the mixed glue to the nail tips. Use a small paintbrush to apply the glue and nail polish mixture to each nail. You only need to cover about one-third to half of the nail length, from the middle of the nail to the tip. This is the area that will be covered by the paper nail tip. The remaining part of the nail, from the middle to the cuticle, will be covered with clear nail polish.

Attach the nail tips to your nails. Take each paper towel tip and press it onto each nail. Since the fake tips are still fragile, be careful not to tear or break them.

• Ensure your natural nails are clean and dry before applying the tips. The glue will adhere more securely if the nails aren't dirty, wet, or oily. You can even use rubbing alcohol to ensure the nails are cleaner and drier.

Trim the tips to your desired shape. Once the glue has dried a bit, use scissors to shape the nail tips. Feel free to cut them however you like.

• Shorter, squarer tips are less likely to break or tear compared to longer, narrower ones.

Apply the mixture of glue and nail polish to the fake nail tips. Use a small paintbrush or nail polish brush to coat each fake nail tip with the homemade glue mixture. Be sure to cover both the top and bottom of each nail tip to seal them properly.

Apply a coat of clear nail polish to each nail. This step helps harden the nails and smooths out the paper towel surface. Coat both the tips and the remaining natural nail, including the edges and underside of the tips.

• For stronger nails with better water resistance, apply 2-3 layers of clear or base coat nail polish.
• Wait for the first layer to dry before applying another coat.

Paint your nails with your favorite colored polish. Choose an opaque polish to cover the paper towel tips underneath. Now enjoy the nails you've created!

• Keep in mind that these nails may be more fragile than acrylic, plastic, or gel nails. The paper towel nails will last only a few days if handled carefully.
• Even after several coats of top coat, these nails may not be water-resistant. Avoid soaking them in water, and wear gloves while showering.

Attach fake nails using double-sided adhesive tape. These are pre-cut adhesive strips in the shape of nails that can work as a great substitute for nail glue. Simply apply the adhesive tape to your natural nails and press the fake nails on top. Follow the instructions to learn how to remove the tape. Depending on the adhesive used, you can soak your nails in soapy water to loosen the glue or rub coconut oil or olive oil to remove it.

• The adhesive tape may not be as durable as nail glue, but many brands claim that it can hold fake nails for up to 5 days with careful use.
• Ensure you're using fake nail adhesive tape, not nail protectors, which only have one sticky side.
• Any adhesive will stick better when applied to clean nails. Use a little acetone or rubbing alcohol to remove any oils from your nails that may make the tape less sticky.

Use small pieces of wig tape. Wig tape is double-sided adhesive tape that is safe to use on both nails and skin. To use this tape as a substitute for fake nail glue, simply cut small pieces to match the shape and size of your nails. Apply the tape to your nails and press the prepared fake nails on top of the adhesive. When you want to remove the fake nails, peel them off and then remove the tape.

• If any adhesive residue remains, dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover to help lift the glue.
• Like fake nail adhesive tape, wig tape isn't as durable as nail glue. However, it's an excellent choice if you only want to wear fake nails for a few days.

Stick fake nails using gel base coat. Use nail polish remover to clean off any nail polish or other products that may still be on your nails. Then, file the nail surface for better adhesion. Apply a layer of clear base coat to your nails, press the fake nails on top, and hold your hands under a UV lamp for about 30 seconds to cure the gel.

• Like nail glue, gel-based fake nail adhesive can be tough on nails. Frequent use of the UV light to cure the gel may also harm your skin and increase the risk of skin cancer. However, you can use this method when no other adhesive options are available.
• Use acetone-based nail polish remover to take off the gel adhesive. Acetone can dry out your skin and nails, so be sure to apply some petroleum jelly (Vaseline) or cuticle oil to keep your nails and cuticles moisturized after removing the gel.

Apply nail protector pads when using fake nail glue. If you like the strength of nail glue but worry about harming your nails, nail protector pads are a great option. These pads are designed to stick directly to your nails, creating a protective barrier between your nails and whatever is applied on top. After applying the protector pads, simply apply glue, press the fake nails on, or use gel or any product you've chosen on top of the protector pads.

• If you're using the protector pads with self-adhesive fake nails, check the product label first. Some protector pads are meant for use underneath gels and acrylics, not for use under self-adhesive fake nails.
• Always clean your nails first with nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol to remove any dirt, oils, or leftover polish. This step will help the protector pads stick better.
• Check the packaging for instructions on how to remove the protector pads. Some brands include special tools to assist in peeling them off after use.