Rona has me out here woofing it. I need a haircut, my hair dyed, a bikini wax, my toes done, my moustache waxed- just everythang. This is not the natural woman that Kenrick rapped about. This isn’t the 60’s and I’m not a hippie. I liked to be groomed af. I would have never had thought that in 2020 with some coins in my pocket that I would have to resort to doing my own upkeep. I haven’t done my own toes since I was in high school. I hate it here.
Even with social distancing, I want to be cute. I can’t be in my crib looking like a little hairy monster and I refuse to walk around with whack nails. Back in the day, I used to have an ill nail polish collection, it was filled with Essie and O.P.I. and Deborah Lippmann. But I haven’t done my nails in years but they stay done thanks to press-ons.
I’ve been wearing press-ons pre Corona because I had an horrible infection from a nail salon in Baltimore. It was scary and cray. I had to get my thumbnail drained, I was on antibiotics and I got a tetanus shot. I was like, “how am I going to open an emergency exit door with no thumb while I’m up on these planes?”
So- I’ve been over going to a salon for a full-set or fill-in every two weeks and now since we’re on lockdown, the time is now to get into press-on nails. They’ve been my jam and I’m here to make it yours. Here are my favorite press-on nail brands:
Marmalade Nails
I like Marmalade Nails because each pack has 24 nails in 12 sizes. Ten nails aren’t enough for me. I’m hard on my nails, so brands that only sell ten in a pack aren’t my everyday nails, they’re my special occasions ones. Marmalade Nails gives you length without being too dramatic, they come in a variety of colors and four shapes: stiletto, coffin, square, and round. They also have plenty of neutrals, allowing you to mix and match however you want. There's also a rewards program, in which you earn Mani Miles for future purchases and exclusive members-only perks. Plus, with each Marmalade Nails purchase, a portion is donated to Petsmart Charities.
$15 to $33 (Shop Now)
The Nailest
When I want a fierce set, I head to the Nailest. This line features luxury nails with Swarovski crystals for $118 and classics nude sets in a variety of colors and sizes. Each pack comes with 10 nails and the option for 20 if you're unsure of your size. No glue comes with a set which is a negative but there’s some to purchase on the site. The press-ons are also curved perfectly enough to fit your nail and fairly thick, making them durable, but not so thick that they look unnatural or clunky. Worn by, Jackie Aina, the Nailest sets are definitely worth the price.
$8 to $118 (Shop Now)
Static Nails
If you’re the fly girl who likes chill nails with a little pop then Static Nails is the wave. They’re shorter in length and a bit reserved. You will find the negative-space trend and neon pink jelly nails. Each pack contains 24 nails in 12 sizes, glue, a buffer, and nail file letting you travel with these nails on the go.
$14 to $16 (Shop Now)
Sarah's Sparkles Nails
Etsy has a ton of girls making bomb press-on nails. There are so many choices and it’s such a smart move from nail artists, especially in this climate.
Sarah's Sparkles Nails is one of my favorites. Her nails are going to take a little longer to get to you because she’s based in the UK but if you’ve got time to wait, then she’s your girl. Her nails are blinged tf out. She can do a long coffin with texture. They cute.
$22-45 (Shop Now)
Kiss Glam Fantasy
Kiss is the OG of press-on nails. Their Glam Fantasy collection is like that. They have mermaid nails to holographics to duo-chromes. They come in short, medium, and long lengths and in a variety of shapes, like oval, coffin, or square. And each set comes with 28 nails, plus a little tube of glue. I always grab a pair when I’m in the drugstore.
$10 (Shop Now)