How To
Your size was chosen when you ordered, so every nail in the box is ready to fit — no need to size them again. You'll also find 2 sets of gel tabs, a cuticle stick, and a buffer, all included.
This isn't as fiddly as it looks. No salon skill needed, no long practice run — most people are genuinely surprised how quickly it clicks, often on the very first set. Take your time the first go; it gets faster from here.
Application
Prep your nail
Push your cuticles back gently with the included cuticle stick, then lightly buff the surface of your natural nail with the included buffer and wipe away any dust. Let your nails dry completely before continuing.
Apply a gel tab
Press one gel tab onto your natural nail, smoothing out any air bubbles. For extra hold, gently warm it with a hair dryer for a few seconds first — optional, but it helps the adhesive activate.
Press on the nail
Position the press-on about 2mm from your cuticle, angle it slightly, then press it down toward your cuticle and hold firmly for 10–20 seconds. Repeat for all 10 nails.
Give it time
Avoid water for 2–4 hours after applying, so the adhesive has time to fully bond.
That's it
About 10 minutes, start to finish. No salon chair, no drying time.
Pro tips
Go further
None of these are required — the basics work fine. But once you've done a set or two, these small habits make a noticeable difference.
Buff the whole nail plate
In the prep step, take the buffer right to the edges — the sides especially. Full surface coverage gives the gel tab nowhere to start lifting from.
Do your dominant hand first
Apply to your writing hand before your other hand. Counter-intuitive, but your dominant hand finishes the job — it's more precise doing the fiddly work on the non-dominant nails.
Warm the tab after positioning
Once the nail is pressed and held in place, pass a hair dryer on its lowest setting over it for 2–3 seconds. The gentle heat softens the adhesive just enough to deepen the bond. A brief pass is plenty.
Care & removal
Treat them well and they're good for many wears — 10 or more isn't unusual with proper care. Ready to rejoin your collection whenever you want them again.
Ease the edges first
Use the plastic tool included in your kit to gently lift the sides of each nail before soaking — start at the edge, not the tip. It loosens the seal cleanly without pulling on your natural nail.
Soak, then ease off
Soak in warm, soapy water for 10–15 minutes. Keep topping up with warm water so it stays warm throughout — a cooling soak is less effective. Once done, gently ease each nail off.
Wind off the adhesive residue
Press the sharper end of the plastic tool into any gel tab residue on the underside of the nail and twist slowly. The adhesive winds around the stick and lifts away cleanly in one go.
Clean each piece
Dry them with a clean cloth and they're ready to go back in the box.
Put them back in the box
Replace them in the box they arrived in — it's designed to keep them clean and protected between wears. Stored properly, they'll apply just as well next time.
Worth knowing
Most wear issues come down to one of these. Easy to avoid once you know them.
Common mistake
Skipping the buff
Natural oils on the nail surface are the main reason sets lift early. The 30-second buff breaks that barrier — it's the single most important step.
Common mistake
Applying over damp nails
Washing your hands right before applying sounds sensible, but moisture prevents the gel tab from bonding. Wait until nails are completely dry.
Common mistake
Placing too close to the cuticle
Leave a 2mm gap. Too close and the tab catches on the skin, creating a lift point that works loose over time.
Common mistake
Not pressing long enough
A quick press won't do it. Hold each nail firmly for a full 10–20 seconds. It feels like a lot — it's the reason they stay on.
Common mistake
Getting nails wet too soon
The adhesive needs 2–4 hours to fully cure. Washing up, showering, or swimming straight after is the most common reason for early lift.
Common mistake
Pulling them off
Peeling a set off dry will damage your natural nail. Always soak in warm soapy water for 10–15 minutes first — they ease off cleanly with no damage.
Ready to shop?
Every set ships with everything you need to apply.