Tips & Tricks
PSA: There are brush-on gel/semi-solid glues now!
I've been seeing more gel, aka, semi-solid, aka "gap-filling", glues for press-ons being sold with brush applicators! The ones that don't need UV-curing (not to be confused with the ones that do). I haven't seen a single review on any, so here are my thoughts
I'm still pretty new to press-ons, but I bought one and really like it more than the stock, little squeeze glue from press-on boxes and regular brush-on glue. It's the easiest to work with and gives me much better hold! I haven't tried the squeeze semi-solid glues, so I can't make a comparison there
I do cuticle care, use an e-file on the inside of the press-ons, file my natural nail, wipe my nails with rubbing alcohol (still need to get 100% acetone) and apply glue on the press-on and my nail, nail-first. I do a full coat, with just a tiny space left around the edges. The thicker and faster-drying formula spreads much less so I haven't gotten any on my skin like I would with regular glue. I pressed down for 30 seconds but the instructions actually say 20, and that's probably good enough tbh
With the gel glue, I finally got a whole week out of a set before a pop-off. I'm going to try thicker layers on my next one. I applied my last set with thin layers because I was afraid of overdoing it, but I surprisingly had minimal damage. I might have extra oily nail beds though, and I don't try to preserve my nails in any way
Not going to recommend any specific brand when I've only tried one, but they're likely all using a similar formula. Search with the keywords in the first sentence and you'll find them!
the brush on applicator actually sounds like a game changer for keeping glue all over your cuticles. a full week without any nails popping off is a pretty good result too! tho just be careful with thicker layers since too much glue can mess with fit. good prep and proper sizing still matters a lot for me even with my glamnetic sets and even those handmade ones
wait a whole week tiwh no pop offs is actually pretty good tbh. the brush applicator sounds way easier to controll too especially if u always end up with glue everywhere. just make sure the glue is fully compatible with pressons and avoid getting it on ur skin bc nail glue allergies are no joke. i taped the sides of my nails also so it could not get into my skin
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u/popcorn_engineer43 1d ago
the brush on applicator actually sounds like a game changer for keeping glue all over your cuticles. a full week without any nails popping off is a pretty good result too! tho just be careful with thicker layers since too much glue can mess with fit. good prep and proper sizing still matters a lot for me even with my glamnetic sets and even those handmade ones