Remezcla Tries: Press-On Nails Are the Best Lazy Girl Hack
Credit: Paintbox
Remezcla Tries is where our editors put products, experiences, and trends to the test so you don’t have to. Whether it’s the latest beauty must-have, a viral experience, or a cultural phenomenon, we’re here to give you the real scoop. Consider this your intel from your go-to Latine editors to decide what’s worth your time, money, and energy—straight from those who’ve tried it firsthand.
For the longest time I would get my nails done. Every two weeks I would be at the salon getting a refills, choosing a new color, and updating my manicurist on the latest things going on in my life. But times change. Work gets harder, family problems get more complicated, and that wallet tightens up. That’s what happened to me. And I stopped doing something that felt like a little self-care when the world was getting too gloomy.
Enter press on nails.
I’ve seen the ads on my Instagram. Press on nails in all colors and sizes advertising ease and something different if you can’t afford the traditional mani but want to elevate your look and feel nice. And I’ve resisted trying them because… there are too many options. It’s as simple as that.
So when Paintbox, an art studio based in NYC that specializes in press on nails, reached out to try out their nails sets, I went for it. And as a first time user of press on nails, here’s what I learned trying out their colors Perry and Fleur.
First Impressions
Right off the bat, don’t skimp out on the instructions. Every Paintbox kit has a set of instructions that will guide you on how to use the actual press ons, how to glue them, and how to actually prep your nails.
The instructions are clear and the box is a perfect way to not lose any of the nails once you separate out the ones you want to use. Which, measure each nail. Don’t eyeball it. Measure them. And do yourself a favor and don’t press them flush against your cuticle. You’ll regret it like I did before I figured out the placement.
Pro-tip: Use the nail file provided to smooth out the edges to what works best for you. Also use it to smooth out any uneven edges, which Paintbox had on some of the nails. It’s nothing big or noticeable. Just a mark of manufacturing.
The Longevity Test
I tapped these nails everyone. On my desk, at the dinner table, against the wall while I’m on the elevator, or on my phone. The sound was too satisfying and they didn’t come off. Even when I (gently) slammed my hands down, they didn’t budge foe 2 weeks.
The one suggestion I do have to keep these press on nails lasting longer is making sure you apply your glue right. The Paintbox set includes two ways to glue down your nails: brush on nail glue or adhesive tabs. I went for the adhesive tabs.
When measuring out which adhesive tab to use, bigger isn’t always better. If you measure out the adhesive tab too big, you risk some of the glue sticking to your skin. And you also risk other things getting stuck there during your daily hustle.
The Best Part
The best part was the ease of it all. I’ve become lazy in my routine since my “mani every 2 weeks” days. But I still want to look good when I go to work events or if I want to pamper myself. And this is something that, when I got the hang of it, didn’t take me more than 15 minutes to put on.
And when you’re done with the nails and want to save them for later, they go right back into the box and are easy to store without the risk of losing them. I do wish though that there was a way to separate the nail sizes that work for me based on each nail. Because it’s the figuring out which press on fits which nail that takes time.
Final Thoughts
As a fellow lazy girl, press on nails are way less scary than I thought. They go on easily and can be used over and over if you take care of them post application. Paintbox in particular has the box for easy storage and the front window of the boxes shows you what color and style is in each set. And with the speed that you can put them on, it’s a win.
If there’s anyway they can improve on this product is by including instructions on removal. The Paintbox press on nails don’t include information on how to take them off. And if you only want them for a singular event, that could lead to some confusion. Luckily, others have figured it out here.
The Paintbox press on nails are available at paint-box.com and currently retails for $24 a set.