7 Reasons Press-Ons Are The Future of Manicures

Now that the majority of the COVID restrictions are almost all gone, we’ve been able to return to some sense of normalcy and this means we’re able to travel freely again. I’m not speaking solely about international trips but also minor things like eating out again or seeing your sister, who lives in the same city, for the first time in months.

If you’re like me, the one major thing the pandemic taught you was the value of time. I was never one to go to a nail salon but now that I know what press-ons can do, I’ll never spend half of my day at a nail salon only to come out hating the art. And if you’re a nail artist yourself - I can’t believe it took me this long to catch on to press-ons as a ‘hack’ to doing your non-dominant hand.

Seriously, in just 20 minutes, you can have hella cute nails.

Listen, I enjoy the finer things in life and in specific situations, I truly believe that you get what you pay for. Even though Japanese soft gels are a premium product, this is one product that is truly worth every penny.

I like to be an informed consumer and after doing some research I decided to jump in with Kokoist products and OMG - it was love at first sight. These gels are produced in small batches to ensure the high quality and intense pigmentation is maintained. They usually come in small jars but the premium formulation ensures a little goes a long way.Bella Nails sets are made with the highest quality soft gels, including Kokoist, Leafgel, and Vetro among others. *IF* you live near a nail tech that specializes in Japanese soft gels, you might know these manicures can last up to four weeks without chipping. I obviously don’t recommend this, but hopefully it gives you an idea of the level of quality I’m referring to.

 

Acrylic is known for being really strong but contrary to the name, soft gels are actually extremely durable. When I first began experimenting with gels, I’m not exaggerating when I say I would often get frustrated because of how difficult it was to remove the gel tips.

This is getting a little more technical but the cool thing about the Japanese soft gel systems is that the range of products work together to offer you an incredibly strong hold. This is especially important for those who are looking for luxury press-on nails with lots of jewels – the last thing we want are missing gems!

High-quality obviously implies you’ll be able to enjoy your luxury press-ons multiple times and you’re right! In addition to using the highest quality gels, the press-ons themselves are painted on tips that are made of 100% soft gel. This is important because gel is vain – gel LOVES gel and when you layer gel on top of gel - you get a bond that will last a lifetime.

 

There are endless possibilities when it comes to nail art. Whether you want something understated and elegant or something bold and beautiful, you’ll find something to suit your taste.

A really great byproduct of the growth of the nail industry has been the invention of gel tips in all shapes in sizes. You can find the traditional shapes like square, coffin (or ballerina), and stiletto and get them in a range of sizes from xxs to xxl.And then comes the art. Whether it’s chrome, rhinestones, mica flakes, or 3D charms - I’m getting excited just thinking of the possibilities!

 

Have you seen what we’re able to do nowadays on nails?! Just take a quick look on insta and you’ll find everything from characters to marble/stone art (my personal favorite).

One important thing about me is that I have a lot of anxiety so the idea of sitting for hours making small talk with someone I barely knew was horrifying. I know I’m late to the party because I’ve only been into press-ons for a couple of years but that’s because I, wrongly, thought press-ons were just cheap.

A quick online search brings up TONS of options in terms of the type of art but also the quality of the actual nail tip. The premium brands will give you a much more natural fit and the high quality gels mean the colors will be vibrant.

I find it amazing and get so much inspiration to continue learning just from scrolling through my feed. Just the other day I saw one of Van Gogh’s paintings recreated on nails!! One of the reasons all Bella Nails sets all come with cuticle oil is to help you easily remove your nails so you can use them over and over again. Collect the entire collection type of vibe.

 

Even before the pandemic, the few times I did go to a salon I always wondered if I should also be wearing a mask because I saw the nail tech wearing one. I thought maybe it wasn’t needed because the dust was falling on their side but given the experiences of the last couple of years, I’m much more aware of what’s floating in the air.

And now that I’ve worked with gel for a while and elevated my own training and education, I know that it’s best to avoid the strong smells whenever possible and avoid the dust at all costs.

In addition to the air quality, it’s important that you trust your nail tech follows strict sanitizing rules and is careful enough to prevent allergic reactions caused by contact with the product or due to improper application.

 

The great thing about the internet is discovering new things has never been easier. Luxury press-ons have made it so easy for us to discover and try different nail art from techs that might be thousands of miles away from you. You get some dope art and are being a good neighbor by shopping small.