KISS Salon Acrylic French Manicure Set, ‘Leilani’, Medium Length, Nude Square Press-On Nails, Includes Pink Gel Nail Glue 0.07 Oz, Mini Nail File, Manicure Stick, and 28 Fake Nails, 31 Piece Set

I’ve been doing my nails myself usually using builder gel or full cover tips but have also used acrylic and polygel before. I haven’t had the time or energy to do a full set myself lately so after watching LongHairPrettyNail’s Kiss review on these, I decided to pick up some.They’re much more sturdier than regular press ons and don’t have much (if any) give to them in the extension parts. The nail bed portion is flexible. The length is a nice medium, I’m usually a long/xlong girl but these are work appropriate and easy to handle.Sizing: I had a little issue with sizing since my nail beds are wider than my cuticles meaning that since the nail is tapered in early on, my natural nail would be exposed unless I cut them to nail biting length. I used a 2 for my thumbs, 6 for pointers, 5 for middles, 4 for rings, and 12 for pinkies.I had to file every single cuticle to fit my nail since my cuticles are rounded and the nails had a square shaped cuticle. I did the least filing on my pinkies and thumbs but had to heavily file the ring finger cuticles and sidewalls to make that 4 look decent.Application: I am keen on long lasting nails and usually have trouble with cuticle lifting when my full cover tips grow out and stop molding to my nail shape. Here’s how I prepped to really make them stay. I buffed my natural nails. Wiped with isopropyl alcohol. Applied a dehydrator, max pro bond, and primer. Put on a thin layer of gel base coat, cured, then wiped with isopropyl alcohol. I buffed the base coat lightly then applied dehydrator to it. After filing and prepping the nail, I flicked off any dust. I applied dehydrator to the inside of the nail bed. I applied the nail glue to my natural nail covering everything accept the cuticle and not putting heavy amounts on the side wall to avoid leakage. I applied nail glue to the false nail’s cuticle area. I applied by sliding down the false nail from the middle of my own nail which makes sure that the glue does not flood the cuticle and fully coats the entire nail. It also allows you to find the perfect resting spot for the false nail. I then held down the middle and cuticle for a few seconds then pinched in the sidewalls to avoid gapping and bubbles. After this, I let them rest for a few seconds then filed and shaped them better to my nails and finally wiped them Well with the isopropyl alcohol.I’m not a pro at glue on nails anymore but I know sometimes they didn’t feel the most secure with just the glue. The base gel allows you to fill any gaps from the nail not fully fitting your nail bed that you’d otherwise do with nail glue. Right now they feel like they’re apart of me and I can slam my hand into my counter and they won’t budge. Additionally, the base gel protects your natural nail from the nail glue!Cons: I couldn’t really glue and go with these, they needed a lot of cuticle alterations since my nail beds are rounded.Otherwise, the price can’t be and they honestly look like I got them done at a salon. I absolutely recommend as long as you’re ready to put in a little work to make them look their bestAdditionally, these are also nice because you could buff the shine off the surface and change the color of the nails with your own polish if you’re not into the French style (which I plan to do when I get tired of the look) or even just add one or two accent nails or apply rhinestones or stickers.

If all you need is the short version of this review, here ya go:This is, by far, the best looking set of press-ons I have ever worn. PERIOD.If you'd like to read some tips and hacks I've included for the longevity and care of your press-on nail sets, or if you're reading this during work hours and want to burn thru some time on the clock, feel free to dive into the much longer version of this review below. You're welcome!So without further ado, let's get to it:CUSTOMIZATIONS:1. To up the longevity: I adhered these with solid nail gel. The nail bed of these Kiss press-ons is transparent enough for LED/UV to penetrate and fully cure the solid nail gel underneath. I spot cure to initially hold them in place, then I will cure for a full 90 seconds for LED (twice that for UV). I cure my thumbs separately. Until somebody invents a curing lamp that has two little internal "thumb boxes" on the far right and left that are lined with LED's going down the right and left sides, I will always cure my thumbs first. If someone ever invented a curing lamp like that ^, I'd be willing to pay stupid money for it. Just sayin'.Sorry! I digress...okay back to these customizations:2. Next, I add a layer of base coat for the tacky layer followed by a coat of builder gel for strength and/or to build apexes. These press-ons do not have pre-built apexes. The great thing about press-ons is that you can make them your own by adding gel colors, chrome powders, nail art, charms, etc. When adding additional product to press ons, I start with a base coat for it's inhibition layer, but I DO NOT BUFF THE SURFACE first! After a week or so of wear, this allows the base coat, builder gel, and topcoat to eventually peel off as a whole piece taking the gel color, stickers, charms, etc. with it. That layer of base coat+builder gel+top coat will serve to protect the press-ons underneath and keep them pristine. The set will end up staying in such good condition that it can be re-applied multiple times.3. Lastly, I add a top coat for that shiny, finished look that only a good top coat can give (I highly recommend KUPA Gelfinity Top Coat to make your nails look super juicy! That stuff is my all time fav - she has that thick consistency that makes you go, "ooooooo...yasss, honeee"). The French on this set of Kiss press-ons look to be printed as opposed to painted, so even if you prefer not to add a top coat, the white on this French shouldn't chip. However, I always recommend adding a top coat to any and all sets, if anything, to protect the press-ons underneath. I also add a layer of top coat on the underneath side of the nail tips only. This step really helps to keep them clean.>>>Note about other adhesives for press-on nails:<<<1. Kiss Nail Glue: If you end up going the solid gel route, DON'T THROW AWAY the tube of Kiss nail glue that comes with this set! Save it to use for adhering opaque press-on sets that LED/UV can't penetrate. Don't underestimate this stuff. Kiss glue is one of the best adhesives on the market for press-ons. While it's worth saving, it does have a shelf life. Try using it within 6 months-ish because eventually, it will dry up and solidify in the tube.2. Adhesive Glue Tabs (not included in this set): I only use these when I want short-term wear as they have the least amount of staying power. HACK: You CAN increase the wear time of adhesive glue tabs by heating them during application! Always prep your nails first then place the glue tabs in the center of your nail beds. Before removing the protective top film, CAREFULLY heat each nail with a hair dryer. (NOTE: At the risk of soundin like your momma, be careful not to burn yourself during this step! The glue just needs to be warmed enough to become more pliable/gooey. Your hair dryer does not need to look like some orange glowing rocket engine for this to work!) Next, peel off the top film and apply the nail at a 45 degree angle pushing the glue down towards the cuticle. Add pressure and hold for 30 secs as the glue starts to harden (glue tabs don't need LED/UV to cure). The added pressure will cause the heated glue to spread out and cover the entire nail bed lessening the chance for lifting. No lifting = longer wear.Okay. I'm done, except for this last word of warning:Try to avoid injury from all those stabs of jealous side eye when you stroll up sportin this fabsolutely snatched set of kitten mittens.Now get out there and slay.

I'm very impressed with how durable these nails are. The tips are THICK, almost like acrylic. The color is incredibly natural and has just the clean vibes I was looking for. My nails are aburdly small, so I always need to file my pressons on the side (even the size 13s!) and they are easy to cut, file, shorten, and shape.I've added builder gel and a matte top coat on top of these just to form an apex. You don't *need* to do that to wear these for a long time. With other cheap nails, I had to add builder gel so they wouldnt split or deformvwhile I was wearing them. I feel like I genuinely got a bargain for these nails, but they're literallt just that good.

These looked great. Once I figured out how to put them on, there was very little glue left. I only wore them for a 3-day weekend. I did cut them down some, and it was easy to do so, and filed them. The French color looked fabulous, I didn't need to polish them. They are buffed and somewhat shiny looking. I wore them for just a short while because I can't type with long nails; I don't know how people do it. I would definitely get these again for another fancy occasion and probably buy some high quality nail glue.