These days, press-on nails are seen as totally lame and an example of 1980s fashion. But back in the day, these were pretty much the only options for nail artists – and also a lot cheaper than regular acrylics.
A Background
There are a lot of interesting things about the 80s, and one of them was the amazing amount of press-on nails that were produced for those years. The first press-on nails were made in 1933 by Joseph Schmitt at his company “Schmitt Nail Systems”. It wasn’t until 1950 that his son Herbert began selling these things to beauty salons across America. After this time, there have been a variety of different companies who have sold press-on nail products – including Brigitte, Diamante, Fashion Forms, Icing Press-On Nails, Mani-Pedi and Pin It.
How They Look Like
In the 80s, press-on nails were made in two different styles. First, the Long Nails (also known as “60s” or “70s” style) where the top of your nail will be shorter than the base. Second, the Short Nails (also known as “80s” or “90s” style) where the top of your nail will be longer than the base. These types of nails were very popular in the 80s. The nails are made out of hard acrylic plastic bonded with a glue and they can be removed using nail polish remover. They can last up to 3 weeks. The nails come in different colors like pink, red, black, blue and white.
How To Put Them On
In case you never saw or tried them, here’s how they work. Take four or five big pieces of double-sided tape. Cut it into strips about 1/2 inch wide and 3/4 inch long for your fingers or toes. Put one piece on each nail and let them dry. Then paint on your base color with a brush. Put one strip over each finger or toe, putting it down first to get rid of any bubbles and sealant residue that might be under the nail bed. Then press down firmly to make a tight seal. If you have long, thin nails or fingers, use two strips on each finger or toe. Wait until your first coat dries completely. Put another layer of polish over the top and let it dry for at least an hour. Then paint over the entire nail with a final coat of clear polish, making sure to wipe off any bubbles that form as you go along.
Plus and Minus
Press-on nails are very easy to use and remove. They’re also very quick and can be on your nails within seconds. These nails are extremely durable as well, lasting longer than regular nail polish. The only downside is that they’re not great for small fingers as they tend to rub off quickly when you touch something or brush your teeth. These press-on nails are not exactly that cheap either! You will have to purchase them from a thrift store or from eBay, which may be somewhat expensive if you buy in bulk. These types of nails are recommended for people of all ages who love the 80s trends but aren’t really into the whole acrylic nail look.
