HOW TO APPLY YOUR BROKE GIRL PRESS ONS
A little prep. A little glue. A whole lot of main character energy.
Watch the How To Video
Follow along in real-time: sizing your custom fit nails, buffing for max grip, and securing every nail with our 30-second hold.
What You'll Need
Get your station prepped before opening your set. Having your essentials laid out guarantees a quick, seamless 10-minute manicure.
10 Custom Fit Nails
Contoured to your specific nail beds for an undetectable cuticle fit and natural salon look.
Broke Girl 28 Day Nail Glue
Professional semi-solid formula engineered for rock-solid staying power with zero air bubbles.
Gentle Nail Remover
Specialized precision-tip liquid to slide and drip around the perimeter, breaking down adhesive bonds for damage-free removal.
Emery Board File
Dual-grit buffer to gently remove natural shine so the adhesive has maximum grip.
Cuticle Stick
Wooden pusher to gently nudge cuticles back and assist during safe removal.
Alcohol Prep Pad
Cleanses lingering natural oils and file dust so the glue bonds directly to the nail plate.
The 5-Step Application Routine
Follow these exact steps for a salon-grade finish that looks flush, feels weightless, and stays firmly locked in place.
Match Your 10 Custom Fit Nails
Line up your set from pinky to thumb. Hold each press-on over your natural nail bed, checking that it covers edge-to-edge from sidewall to sidewall without overlapping onto skin. Golden Rule: If you are between two sizes, always size down! A smaller nail fits flush without lifting or pinching cuticle borders.
Push Cuticles, Buff & Cleanse Oils
Prep is where longevity happens. Use the flat edge of your wooden cuticle stick to gently push cuticles back. Lightly buff the surface of each natural nail with the emery board to remove surface shine and create texture. Finish by swiping each nail bed with the alcohol prep pad to eliminate natural oils, lotion, and dust.
Apply Broke Girl 28 Day Nail Glue
Apply a pea-sized drop of Broke Girl 28 Day Nail Glue to the center of your natural nail, plus a thin, even coat inside the underside base of the press-on. Safety Note: Keep glue strictly on the nail plates. Avoid applying adhesive directly to skin or cuticles for a comfortable, clean fit.
Angle at 45° & Hold Firmly for 30 Seconds
Place the base of the press-on nail at a 45° angle right against your cuticle line without overlapping onto the skin. Slowly press downward toward the free edge, squeezing out any trapped air bubbles. Hold with firm, even pressure for 30 full seconds across the center and sides to ensure an unbreakable bond.
Allow Adhesive to Fully Settle & Cure
Repeat steps 1 through 4 on all remaining fingers, finishing with your thumbs. For maximum wear longevity, we recommend doing your nails right before bed so the glue cures undisturbed without water contact for 4 to 8 hours while you sleep.
How to Get the Most Wear
Extend your press-on lifespan and keep your set looking freshly sculpted from day 1 to day 28+.
Apply Before Bed (4–8 Hr Water Lock)
We strongly recommend applying your nails right before bed when you won't be working with water for 4 to 8 hours. Sleeping gives the 28 Day Glue uninterrupted time to fully cure and create an unbreakable bond.
Jewels, Not Tools
Never use your fresh tips to pry open soda cans, peel tape labels, or pop car key fobs. Treat your nails like luxury accessories and use the pads of your fingertips instead.
Obsessive Nail Prep
Premature lifting is almost always caused by leftover natural skin oils. Buffing away natural nail shine and thoroughly wiping with an alcohol prep pad is 90% of your wear longevity.
Never Overlap Skin
Ensure glue and nail borders sit strictly on your nail plates. An oversized tip that presses onto your cuticle or lateral sidewall skin creates tension that pops the nail off prematurely.
Wear Goal & Results Disclaimer
Please note: 28+ days is an aspirational wear goal. Individual results naturally vary based on your nail prep, custom fit accuracy, adhesive application technique, physical daily activities, and routine aftercare. We do not promise guaranteed wear times or damage-free results.
Ready to Remove Your Set?
Proper use of our Glue Remover helps protect your natural nails during removal. Apply as directed, allow the glue to soften, and gently release the nails. Never pull, pry or force them off.
Slide & Drip Remover Around Perimeter
Take your Gentle Nail Remover bottle and gently slide and drip the precision tip all the way around the outer perimeter of your press-on—tracing closely along the cuticle line and both sidewalls. Let the formula seep under the edges for 1 to 2 minutes to break down the adhesive bond.
Ease Under Edges with Cuticle Stick
Take the slanted edge of your wooden cuticle stick and gently slide it under the perimeter seam. As the adhesive softens, the press-on will begin to release. Drip an extra drop of remover under the lifted edge if needed—never pry or pull if you feel any resistance!
Slide Off, Nourish & Store in Case
Once the glue is dissolved, slide the press-on cleanly off. Lightly buff away any lingering residue on your natural nails with your emery board and nourish with cuticle oil. Wipe your press-ons clean and store them in their acrylic case to wear again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about sizing, adhesive wear goals, and keeping your natural nails in peak health.
How long do Broke Girl press-ons actually stay on? +
When applied with Broke Girl 28 Day Nail Glue following our complete prep method, our sets are engineered with a wear goal of up to 28+ days!
Please note: 28+ days is an aspirational wear goal. Individual longevity varies naturally based on thorough nail prep, custom fit, lifestyle, and aftercare. We do not promise guaranteed wear times. For quick 2-to-3-day weekend wear, adhesive sticky tabs can also be used.
What should I do if my nail is between two sizes? +
Always size down! If a nail tip is too large, it overlaps your cuticle line or lateral sidewall skin, causing irritation and early lifting. Sizing down allows the press-on to sit flush on your natural nail bed for maximum longevity and a completely seamless salon look.
Are Broke Girl press-on sets reusable? +
Yes! Unlike flimsy drugstore nails, Broke Girl press-ons are sculpted with salon-grade multi-layer gel and premium acrylic. As long as you remove them gently using our perimeter glue remover method (never ripped off dry), you can clean off the underside and store them in their sliding-lid acrylic case to wear again and again.
Will the 28 Day Nail Glue damage my natural nails? +
Not when applied and removed properly! Damage is caused by forceful ripping or aggressive electric drills at salon counters. Because our glue is formulated specifically for press-ons, sliding and dripping our Gentle Nail Remover along the perimeter allows the adhesive to dissolve and the nails to slide away cleanly while keeping your natural keratin layers intact. Always keep glue strictly on the nail plate—never on skin or cuticles.
What comes in each nail order? Do I get glue? +
Each press-on set includes 10 custom fit nails tailored to your hand measurements. Application glue, gentle remover, emery boards, and cuticle sticks are separate toolkit essentials so you only get what you need without paying for duplicate tools with every set.
Can I shower, wash dishes, and workout with my nails? +
Absolutely! Once your set cures (ideally applied right before bed when you can avoid water for 4 to 8 hours), Broke Girl press-ons are completely water-resistant. You can shower, wash your hair, swim, and workout without worry. For dishwashing or heavy household chores, we always recommend gloves to keep both your skin and your manicure flawless.