Liam Carter
Getting fake nails to fit properly can be a tricky business, but there are several ways to ensure a seamless finish. Firstly, it's important to prepare your natural nails by removing any nail polish, washing your hands, and drying your nails and cuticles. Then, use a cuticle pusher to gently push back your cuticles. Next, select the correct size of fake nails for each finger, ensuring they fit comfortably over your real nails. If they are too small, they may lift and come off prematurely. If they are too big, file the fake nails to fit your nail bed better. Finally, apply a thin, even layer of glue to your natural nails and press the fake nails firmly on for a few seconds.
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What You'll Learn
File the fake nail to match your nail shape
Once you've applied your fake nails, you can file them to match your nail shape. If you've applied a solid colour, you can file them as you would your natural nails, using a back-and-forth motion across the top of the nail with a coarse file. Fake nails tend to be more rigid than natural nails, so a coarse nail file is recommended.
If your fake nails have an intricate design, you'll need to be more careful to prevent the nail art from chipping off. Use a finer grit nail file and file with slower, shorter strokes.
If your fake nails are too small, they may be prone to lifting and popping off. If they're too big, file along the free edge of your natural nail to suit the shape of your tip. File the fake nail until the edges line up with the edges of your natural nails. Make sure the base of the nail is as round as your cuticle rather than whatever shape it came as.
You can file your fake nails into a classic square or oval shape, or any shape you like. Common shapes include square, oval, almond, and stiletto.
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Push back your cuticles
Pushing back your cuticles is an important step in achieving a neat and elegant manicure. Cuticles are the thin strips of skin at the base of your nails that protect your nail beds from germs and infections. By pushing them back, you can make your nail beds appear longer and neater. Here is a step-by-step guide to safely pushing back your cuticles:
Step 1: Remove Nail Polish
Start by removing any existing nail polish with a non-acetone or acetone-free nail polish remover and a cotton ball. This step ensures that you don't accidentally push small chips of old polish into your nail beds, which can lead to infections.
Step 2: Soak Your Nails
Fill a small bowl with warm water and soak your fingertips in it for 5 to 10 minutes. You can also add a few drops of moisturising soap, coconut oil, or cuticle oil to the water for added hydration. This step helps soften your cuticles, making them easier to push back without discomfort or injury.
Step 3: Dry Your Hands
After soaking, gently dry your hands with a clean towel. This step ensures that your hands are free of excess water, creating a better surface for the next steps.
Step 4: Apply Cuticle Remover (Optional)
Apply a cuticle removing gel or cream to your cuticles and follow the product's instructions for how long to leave it on. This step further softens and prepares the cuticles for pushing back.
Step 5: Push Back the Cuticles
Using a specialised cuticle pusher or a wooden orange stick, gently push back your cuticles in circular motions. Avoid sharp or forceful movements to prevent injury to the delicate skin around your nails. Be gentle and remember that a gentle push is all you need.
Step 6: Moisturise
After pushing back your cuticles, it is important to nurture your skin with moisturising agents to maintain suppleness and prevent cracking. Apply a generous amount of cuticle oil, such as coconut oil, and a hand cream or lotion to both the cuticles and the surrounding skin, massaging it in well.
Remember, cuticles are important for protecting your nails from infections and other issues. Always be gentle when pushing back your cuticles and avoid cutting them too short, as this can put you at risk of infection.
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Buff your natural nails
Buffing your natural nails is an important step in preparing for fake nails. It helps the fake nails adhere better and last longer.
Before you begin buffing, it is important to push back your cuticles. You can use an orange stick or a cuticle pusher to do this gently. This step ensures that you are gluing the fake nails to your natural nails and not your skin. It is also crucial to remove any old nail polish or residue from your natural nails. Use a nail polish remover with acetone to ensure that all oils and residue are eliminated, as this can affect the adhesion of the fake nails.
When buffing your natural nails, it is recommended to use a buffer with a grit number of no more than 180 to shape and finish. Buff the surface of your natural nails to roughen them slightly. This process creates a slightly uneven surface for the fake nails to grip onto, enhancing their durability. Be careful not to over-buff, as this can thin your natural nails and cause damage.
The buffing process should be followed by applying a nail primer. The primer will remove any remaining dirt or oil from your nail plate, creating an optimal surface for the fake nails to adhere to. This step is crucial in ensuring that your fake nails stay on for an extended period.
Additionally, you can use a nail file to shape the bottom edges of your natural nails if necessary. This step ensures that your natural nails are ready for the application of the fake nails. It is important to note that you should not file your natural nails too much, as this can weaken them.
By following these steps and properly buffing your natural nails, you will create an ideal base for your fake nails to fit securely and last longer. This process will help you achieve a seamless and long-lasting manicured look.
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Choose the right nail size
Choosing the right nail size is crucial for achieving a comfortable and secure fit for your fake nails. Here are some detailed tips to help you select the most suitable nail size:
Firstly, it's important to measure your nail bed accurately. Use a soft measuring tape, also known as fashion tape, to determine the dimensions of your nail bed from side to side and wall to wall. These measurements will serve as a guide for selecting the appropriate nail size.
When trying on press-on nails, start by laying out all the nails and comparing them to your natural nails. The ideal fit should cover the entire surface of your natural nail when you press the fake nail down. If the press-on nail touches the sides of your fingers, it is too large, and you should opt for a smaller size. Conversely, if the press-on nail sits loosely on your natural nail without needing to be pressed down, it is too big, and you should choose a smaller size.
It's worth noting that nails that are slightly too large may not last as long, so it's generally better to size down if you're in between sizes. You can always file away the edges of nails that are slightly too big to achieve a better fit. However, you cannot add material back to nails that are too small. Therefore, when in doubt, it's advisable to choose the larger size if you cannot decide between two sizes.
Additionally, remember to check both hands, as the nail sizes may vary between your left and right hands. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that you select the right nail size for a comfortable and secure fit.
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Clean your nails
Clean and prepare your nails before applying fake nails to ensure the glue lasts and doesn't bubble up or chip. Firstly, remove any existing nail polish or nail enhancements with nail polish remover. If you're removing an old set of press-ons, take care to remove any remnants of adhesive on the fake nails too. Then, wash your hands, paying particular attention to drying your nails and cuticles.
Next, buff the surface of your natural nails to roughen them, which will help the fake nails adhere better. Use a buffer with no more than 180 grit to shape and finish. You can also buff the back of the fake nails to create traction and prevent the nails from sliding off your fingertips. Be gentle, as the goal is to create a bit of texture, not to scrub your nails raw.
Before applying the fake nails, you can also apply a protective coat to your natural nails. This can be a base coat or another polish. Any barrier between the nail plate and the adhesive will provide some protection to the nail plate.
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Frequently asked questions
Sizing fake nails correctly is key to making them look natural and last longer. Make sure the nails fit comfortably over your real nail, and use a file to shape the bottom edges if necessary.
Before you begin, make sure your hands and nails are clean and dry. Then, lay out your fake nails and decide which nail will be suitable for each finger. Apply a thin, even layer of glue to your natural nail and press the fake nail on firmly for a few seconds.
To ensure your fake nails last longer, you should prepare your natural nails beforehand. Push back your cuticles, trim your nails, and buff the surface of your natural nails to roughen them. This will help the fake nails adhere better.
If your fake nails are too big, you can file them to fit your nail bed better. File the base of the fake nail to the shape of your cuticle and the edges of your natural nail.
