How to Apply Press-On Nails

DIVAZ press-on nails can be applied at home in about 10 minutes, without a UV lamp or an electric file. With the glue included in the set, your manicure lasts up to 3 weeks, and the nails can be reused after removal.

What’s in the set

Each set includes 24 to 30 nails in 12 to 15 sizes, 2 g of glue, a double-sided file, a cuticle stick, an alcohol wipe and adhesive tabs.

Before you start: preparing your nails

Preparation matters more than anything else when it comes to how long your manicure lasts. Glue won’t bond well to oil, cream or traces of nail polish.

1. Remove any old nail polish and wash your hands with soap and water. Dry them very well.
2. Gently push your cuticles back without cutting them.
3. Lightly file the surface of your natural nails, just enough to remove the shine. Don’t overdo it—you don’t want to thin your nails.
4. Wipe each nail with the alcohol wipe, and don’t touch the surface again afterward. Don’t use hand cream or cuticle oil until after application.

How to choose the right size

Before opening the glue, find a nail that fits each finger and arrange them in order on the table so you don’t mix them up.

• The press-on nail should cover your natural nail from edge to edge without touching the skin on either side.
• The base of the press-on nail should stop just before your cuticle, not on it.
• If you’re choosing between two sizes, go for the smaller one: a nail that’s too wide will touch your skin and lift more quickly at the edges.

Applying with glue (up to 3 weeks)

1. Apply a thin layer of glue to your natural nail and a thin layer to the inside of the press-on nail. More glue doesn’t mean a better hold—the excess will squeeze out at the edges and create bubbles.
2. Place the nail starting at the cuticle at a slight angle, then lower it towards the tip to prevent air from getting trapped underneath.
3. Press firmly for 10 to 15 seconds, applying pressure in the middle and along both edges.
4. Wipe off any glue that gets on your skin right away.
5. Repeat for each finger. If you want a different shape or length, file the tip only after the glue has set.

For the first hour, avoid hot water, long showers and strong detergents so the glue can set properly.

Using adhesive tabs (for one to two days)

If you only want to wear the nails for an event and would prefer to remove them easily, you can use the adhesive tabs from the set instead of liquid glue. They don’t last as long—usually one to two days—but come off without hot water.

1. Prepare your nail as above: clean, dry and free of oil.
2. Choose a tab that’s as close as possible to the size of your natural nail and stick it onto your nail, pressing it down to prevent air bubbles.
3. Remove the protective film from the tab.
4. Place the press-on nail from the cuticle towards the tip and press firmly for 20 to 30 seconds.

How long they last and how to make them last longer

With the glue included in the set, your manicure lasts up to 3 weeks. How long it actually lasts depends on how well you prepare your nails and what you do with your hands each day: water, detergents and manual work will shorten its wear time.

• Wear gloves when washing dishes and cleaning.
• Don’t use your nails as tools to open boxes or peel off labels.
• Dry your hands well after washing them.
• You can apply cuticle oil, but only to the skin—not underneath the edge of the press-on nail.

Common problems and what to do

• A nail lifts at the edge or falls off within the first few days. Usually, oil was left on the natural nail, too much or too little glue was used, or the press-on nail is too wide. Remove the nail, clean the old glue off both surfaces, wipe them with alcohol and reapply the nail with a thin layer of glue.
• You can see air or a white spot under the nail. The nail was placed all at once instead of from the cuticle towards the tip. If the glue hasn’t set yet, remove the nail right away and reapply it. Trapped air under the nail weakens the hold.
• The nail touches your skin or feels tight. The size is too large. Lightly file the sides or choose a smaller size.
• Glue has got on your skin. Wipe it off while it’s still wet. If it has dried, wash your hands with warm water and soap, and don’t pull it off.
• Redness, itching or stinging around the nail. Remove the nails, let your skin settle and don’t reapply them until the symptoms have gone away. If the reaction continues, seek advice from a dermatologist.

How to remove them

1. Soak your hands in warm water with a little soap for about 10 minutes.
2. Gently lift the edge of the nail with the cuticle stick from the set and slowly peel it off, moving from side to side.
3. Don’t force the nail if you feel resistance. Leave it in warm water for a few more minutes.
4. Gently file any remaining glue off your natural nail.

Nails applied with adhesive tabs usually come off without water too—just gently lift the edge.

How to reuse them

Clean any remaining glue from the inside of each nail, then put them back in the box, sorted by size. The next time you apply them, follow the same steps, starting with preparation.

Need help?

You can find more answers on our FAQs page, and more details about wear time in our guide to how long press-on nails last. You can also email us at contact@divaz.ro, and we’ll get back to you within 1 to 3 working days.