If you love the look of a fresh manicure but don’t always have the time (or patience) for a salon visit, press-on nails can be a pretty great option.
Color Street has now entered the press-on nail world! If you’re not already familiar with Color Street nail polish strips, you might be wondering: What’s the difference? Quite a bit, actually.
What Are Color Street Press-On Nails?
Color Street press-on nails are lightweight artificial nails that attach to your natural nails using an adhesive tab that’s already attached to the back of each nail. Each package contains 32 nails in 16 sizes, nail remover, a nail file, a cuticle stick and an alcohol prep pad.
There multiple shapes and lengths available, including oval, almond, and square in short and medium lengths. They’re designed to give you a finished manicure in minutes without messy nail glue, a curing lamp, or waiting for polish to dry.
How Do You Apply Color Street Press-On Nails?
1. Prep your nails
Start with clean, dry nails and use the included prep pad to remove oil and residue.
2. Find the right size
Choose the press-on that fits each natural nail best.
When you’re between sizes, you can choose the smaller size or you can go with the bigger size and file it down to fit. A press-on shouldn’t sit on your surrounding skin but should cover your natural nail side to side. If your press-on is too big, it may not feel comfortable, last as long or look as nice as one that fits correctly.
3. Peel and press
Peel the backing from the adhesive tab, align the press-on with your natural nail at a 45 degree angle, as close to your cuticle area as possible (but not over any skin), and press firmly for 20-30 seconds.
That’s it.
And please: when you hear someone say to apply a press-on “under the cuticle,” do not actually push the nail underneath the skin. They’re referring to the proximal nail fold. Your proximal nail fold is living tissue and shouldn’t be covered, pushed back, cut off, or have anything pushed underneath it.
How Long Do Color Street Press-Ons Last?
Color Street press-ons are designed to provide around 7–10 days of wear with proper preparation, application, and care. Your actual wear time can vary depending on your nails and daily activities. If a press-on starts to loosen or lift, it’s time to remove it rather than picking at it or trying to glue it back down.
Which Length Should I Get?
Color Street press-ons are available in short and medium lengths, and round, almond, and square shapes. The length of each nail varies slightly between shapes so the best way to ensure the fit you’re looking for is to measure the length of your nail bed and compare to the chart on colorstreet.com (coming soon). For example, those with long nail beds might find the “short” length is too short for their natural nails while those with shorter nail beds may be able to comfortably wear both the short and medium lengths
How Do You Remove Them?
Use the included press-on nail remover around the edges of the nail and let it sit for about 30 seconds. Then gently lift the press-on with the included manicure stick. Repeat as needed until the nail releases.
Don’t pry or pull off a press-on that’s still firmly attached. Proper removal is an important part of keeping your natural nails looking their best.
Can You Reuse Color Street Press-Ons?
No. Color Street press-ons are intended for one-time use.
Can You File or Shape Them?
Yes. Color Street press-ons can be gently filed to customize the length or shape. Just use some caution when filing over a design or French tip since filing too much could change the look.
Can You Put Nail Strips Over Press-Ons?
Yes, you can apply Color Street nail strips over press-ons. This works best when the press-on doesn’t have raised embellishments that would keep the strip from laying smoothly.
My First Impressions
For me, the sizing was the biggest thing. Having 16 different sizes to choose from is really nice. Many other brands don’t give as many sizes, so having those extra options makes it much easier to find a good fit. I was able to find the perfect size for each of my nails.
They’re also lightweight without feeling flimsy. After wearing them for several days, they still feel sturdy enough that I don’t worry about them popping off when I’m doing something normal, like opening a can of soda (but also, your nails aren’t tools so don’t do that. Yes, I did it to see if I could, but no I don’t open my drinks with my nails on a regular basis and you shouldn’t either, friend).
When I tried out my first set, I didn’t really feel them on my nails. I didn’t notice them until I touched them. That’s probably my favorite part so far: they don’t feel thick or bulky, but they still feel substantial enough to hold up to everyday life.
Color Street Press-On Nails FAQ
Do they require nail glue?
No. Each nail has a numbered adhesive tab already attached.
Do I need a UV or LED lamp?
No. They’re peel-and-press nails, so there’s no curing step.
Are they safe for natural nails?
When applied and removed correctly, the press-ons are designed to be comfortable and safe for natural nails.
Can I wear Color Street nail strips over them?
Yes, but this works best on nails without any raised embellishments to allow a smooth nail strip application.
How should I store unused nails?
Keep them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
P.S. Some links in this post are affiliate links. See disclosure here.
→ Try a sample
→ Shop Color Street
Need general shenanigans or want to talk nails? Join my Facebook group!