Nothing says “It-girl” these days like a beautifully crafted set of nails, preferably long enough to render a satisfying clack in the likes of Alexa Demie‘s Maddy Perez in HBO’s Euphoria. And while a good in-salon manicure should stand the test of time, opting to hard-gel acrylic to your natural nails is both time-consuming and worse, can potentially damage the nail bed. The solution? A worthy trade in: skip those arduous hours at the nail parlour and go for a set of pre-made press-on nails.
As post-pandemic maximalism peaks, flashy claws have become the ultimate statement piece of the moment. Nail artists have gotten creative with the ways in which they add flare to each set, with chunky embellishments and thick three-dimensional art going mainstream. Seen on fashion and beauty muses like Kylie Jenner, Halsey and Lizzo, it’s clear that these vibrant manicures are not going anywhere anytime soon. And whether it’s with a casual daytime outfit or to compliment an impressive ensemble for a big occasion, you’ll find that these expressive press-on nails never fail to add a cool, personal touch to your look. The best part? Press-ons are non-damaging and are mostly reusable with proper care, meaning you can swap them out to match your outfits as you please.
There’s no better accessory to have this season. Below, Vogue Singapore’s edit of press-on manicures to get your hands on (or rather, to get on your hands) now.
1 / 5
Nails by Fels Y2K Metal Nails
Get fierce, fashion-forward nails without the long salon wait time. Nail artist Felicia Widjaya’s Y2K gel nail set boasts a combination of airbrush and molten metallic work in a process that takes anywhere from one to three hours to create. Her nail kits contain 10 pieces of custom-sized nails along with an application kit, complete with nail glue, gel tabs, cuticle pusher, nail file, buffers and alcohol pad.
Nails by Felicia, Y2K Metal Nails, $50 from @nailsbyfels
2 / 5
Khaki Olives Ocean Breeze
Channel your inner siren with this set of medium oval nails. Inspired by the mercurial temperament of the ocean, this set features ombre hues of aquamarine with lavender and hazy greys accented by delicate wrought metal detailing and sea glass-like gems. Available in three sizes for a custom fit.
Khaki Olives Ocean Breeze, $56.80 from Khaki Olives
3 / 5
Dashing Diva Magic Press Pedicure
Pedicures couldn’t be any easier with these press-on nails. Dashing Diva’s Magic Press collection promise up to seven days of wear sans glue. While nail artists constantly up the ante with weird and wonderful designs, we appreciate that this press-on pedicure offers an instant, multi-faceted 3D diamond-like effect to toes, turning them into instant jewels. However, you’ll need to pick your perfect moment to wear this eye-catching set—the ultra-simple ‘press and go’ format means that they’re recommended for single use only.
Dashing Diva Magic Press Pedicure in Neon Light Green, $22.90 from Dashing Diva
4 / 5
Nails by Fels Candy Crush Nails
Move over glazed doughnut nails. For the next incarnation of ‘good enough to eat’ nail trends, these ombre pastels inspired by sugared gummies are currently taking the Internet by storm. For a better fit, creator Felicia Wijaya recommends gently filing the cuticle portion of the press-on and applying these before bed to allow the glue to dry overnight without coming into contact with water. The nails may be reused, if applied and removed correctly.
Nails by Fels Candy Crush Nails, $30 from @nailsbyfels
5 / 5
For Duchess by Duke Cyber Punk Nails
Inspired by the extravagant nails of fourth generation K-pop icons, Aespa, nail artist duo Amanda and Andrea Koh’s Cyber Punk set showcases “bold colours that would catch anyone’s attention, embellished with chrome detailing and a little 3D spiral”. While the duo admit that it may not be a set for everyday wear, it certainly qualifies as wearable art and is guaranteed to elevate any look.
For Duchess by Duke Cyber Punk Nails, $158 from For Duchess by Duke
