So my newest hyper fixation is painting my own press on nails with gel polish. I have been getting my nails done once a month for all of 2024, but my nails started getting just really weak so I need to give them a bit of a break from dip and I really LOVE press on nails. They’re so easy to use, there are tons of brands to choose from, and if you do them well, they look fantastic. And if you’re me – you decide that they’re a creative challenge you need to master because that’s who I am as a person. I love to paint and draw and create so this is totally up my alley. So let’s jump right into it.
DIY Press On Nails: How To Create Your Own + Everything You Need To Get Started
Ok so here’s what you’re going to need:
- Beetles Gel Nail Polish – various colors
- Beetles Gel Nail Base
- Beetles Gel Nail Top Coat
- Nail brushes / pens
- UV / LED Light
- Press On Nails
- Nail Dehydrator
- Nail Stands
- Nail Glue
So, the best part about making your own press on nails is that they can last for 7-10 days without lifting, it goes faster than if you are painting your nails because you have the use of both hands, you don’t have to worry about flooding cuticles AND you can reuse them over and over again, which is SO nice. I also find it so much easier to paint designs because I can use my dominant hand to paint.
Step One: Size your press on nails, and put them onto the nail stands (make sure you are sizing your nails correctly so they look as natural as possible).
Step Two: Base gel & cure for 90 seconds.
Step Three: Gel color & cure for 60 seconds between colors / for each layer of design.
Step Four: Top coat gel & cure for 90 seconds, 2x.
Step Five: Prep your nails with dehydrator and buff with a nail file.
Step Six: Paint nails with the nail glue – no need to put the glue on the nail – and press each nail firmly for 25 seconds.
Step Seven: Avoid washing your hands / getting your nails wet / using your nails to lift things for 6-12 hours to allow them to fully set.
Another tip is to buy press ons in the shape you already want because it’s REALLY hard to reshape / file the nails into different shapes when they’re not on your nail. It’ll be really frustrating to do that. There are DOZENS of shapes / lengths available so try to get as close to the shape you want as possible.
