You can also buy nail tabs yourself, either at a beauty supply shop or online. Adhesive nail tabs are like sticky, double-sided tape. [3] X Expert Source Marta NagorskaNail Artist Expert Interview. 26 May 2021.
This is great if you have a date or a wedding to attend on the weekend, but you need to be able to remove your nails in time for work on Monday! This tape is what people use to help hold up strapless dresses. It usually goes between fabric and your skin. You can find it at department stores, online, or at big box stores. You can also use double-sided wig tape. [5] X Expert Source Marta NagorskaNail Artist Expert Interview. 26 May 2021.
If it’s easier, you can stack 2 layers of tape together and cut 2 pieces at the same time. For instance, if you measure the piece for one of your thumbs, you could cut out 2 thumb pieces together, since they’ll probably need to be about the same size.
If the tape folds in on itself or bubbles up once you apply it to your nail, you may need to remove it and use another piece. It’s easiest to do one nail at a time.
Be careful not to touch the tape once you’ve peeled off the last piece of backing.
The adhesive will be effective immediately, and there’s no need to let the nails dry.
This is a quick application, especially since there’s no drying time!
You can use any brand of clear polish, and you can even use polish that has glitter in it. However, avoid using colored polish, because it will be visible if some does come out from beneath the nail when you apply it. Alternately, you can apply the polish to your natural nail first.
If you’re using a quick-drying polish, you may not need to let it dry at all, while some polishes might take a little longer to become tacky. Experiment with one nail first and see what works best for you! If the clear polish dries out, just apply another coat. If it looks very thick, dip a cotton swab in nail polish remover and buff it away. Allow the nail to dry completely before applying another clear coat.
Don’t let the nail slide around as you’re holding it in place, or the clear polish won’t form as strong of a bond with the nail.
Although you only need to hold the nails in place for about a minute each, it can take 1-2 hours for the clear polish to fully cure, so avoid pressing or pulling too hard on the nails in the meantime. [12] X Research source
Do not try to rip the nails off, as this could be painful and would damage your natural nails.
Base coat may be clear, or it may be a pale opaque color like white, cream, or blush. Since you don’t want the base coat to dry, it’s best to work on 1 nail at a time.
It may be helpful to pour the glue into a small dish first, like a saucer or a small bowl. However, if you’d like, you can apply it straight from the bottle, then brush it out into an even coat.
Don’t slide the fake nail around while the glue is drying. This could make it hard for the glue and the nail to form a strong bond.
Your nails should last for about a day.