The Easy Way to Nail a Late Summer Manicure: Press-Ons We Swear By

As late summer lingers, the last thing we want to do is spend our golden hours stuck indoors at the nail salon. That’s why press-on nails are our ultimate shortcut to chic, fuss-free manicures right now. Maybe your quirky aunt wore them back in the day, but truthfully—they’ve never lost their cool. We’ve rounded up our favorite brands that are must-haves for the season.

If you’re new to press-ons, the idea of applying them can feel a little intimidating, but watching a quick tutorial makes it simple. We also asked Celebrity Manicurist and Lost Angels Founder Brittney Boyce to share her expert tips for flawless application and long-lasting wear. “Nail prep is the most crucial part of any nail service. Make sure to gently etch your entire nail bed and cleanse it with an alcohol prep pad. Once you’ve completed this step, avoid touching your nail beds with anything. If you need to cleanse again, do so gently,” she explains. “If you’re unsure about how much nail glue to use, a great method is to apply a thin layer of glue to your natural nail and then add a small dot of glue to the back of the press-on nail. This helps make sure the nail bonds evenly across your entire nail bed without any glue overflow.” Once applied, give your nails at least an hour before getting them wet—then let them shine for every last summer soirée.

Lost Angels ($18-20)
Created by Celebrity Manicurist Brittney Boyce, this press-on nail brand understands the pain of not finding the right fit or look and thus Lost Angels was born. With fun designs to choose from such as a classic french manicure (No Hard Feelings) to red flames (Not Yours) or 3D-looking hearts (Thank You, Next) in a medium almond shape, these nail sets will make you look like you spent hours in the salon getting the coolest of cool nail art adorned to your nails.

imPRESS ($7.99)
When you don’t even have the time for allowing glue to drive, these cruelty-free and vegan nails are described as “The No Glue Mani”, which means simply peel off the adhesive backing and press onto your nail beds. Designed with PureFit technology, nails are created to be super slim and comfortable and with their patented super hold adhesive, these nails will last up to 10 days. Choose from their latest ombre collection in four shades: Beat the Heat, Dancing Alone, Take a Chance, and Friendzone.

Rave Nailz ($20-$23)
Founded by young designer Braelinn Frank—whose bold nail art first caught attention at the raves she attended—Rave Nailz was born from her mission to bring that creativity into press-on form. Each set is designed by real artists, so they look like you’ve just stepped out of a salon. The lineup ranges from a bold blue Cosmic French Nailz ($23) to edgy black Pierced Up Nailz ($23), with plenty of statement styles in between.

Olive & June ($10)
From the creator of the insta-famous “The Poppy”, a universal polish bottle handle that makes painting your nails a cinch, this brand has a press-on collection with poppy summer colors that will perfectly match your new pickleball outfit. These press on colors come in a variety of shapes such as squoval to oval and a range of sizes from XXS (described as “the realest-looking fake nails) to short and medium lengths. Choose from Game Set Mani (bright yellow) to a fun Summer Blue or opt for GH Glass that screams Hailey Bieber. Just prep nails with a little filing and buffing action, then swipe nails with an alcohol pad. Dab on a little glue, then press and hold nails for 30+ seconds with even pressure.

Dashing Diva Magic Press Pedicure ($9)
Consider these your fast-pass to sandal-ready toes. Just peel, stick, and go—no appointment needed. The waterproof adhesive keeps them looking fresh for up to 10 days, and when it’s time to swap them out, Magic Off+ makes removal a breeze (no damage, no stress). Perfect for when you’d rather sip a spritz by the pool than sit in a pedicure chair.

Dashing Diva GelXtend ($23 for starter kit + additional products)
For a more advanced at-home manicure that’ll look like you just stepped out of a salon, these ready-to-wear LED nail extensions will last up to two weeks or longer. You can choose from an array of shapes, sizes and designs that suit your style. Simply prep the nail surface, apply glue to the nail and place on the nail at a 45 degree angle, cure for 60 seconds under the LED lamp and you’re good to go.

dopamine rush gel by essie collection ($13)
For those who prefer the OG-styled manicure, then this fun dopamine rush collection from essie has the perfect colors for summer. They’ve reformulated their gel-like polishes to last up to 15 days and made sure they were chip-resistant with a high shine. And no UV lamps needed. Choose from fun shades such as: rev it up, fuel your life, dopamine rush, new highs, you can-diy it, and strut with it.