Nail glue quick picks
Beginner-friendly nail glue: Kiss PowerFlex Maximum-Speed Nail Glue
Nail glue with a speedy dry time: IBD 5-Second Brush-On Nail Glue
Nail glue with long-lasting hold: NYK1 Super-Strong Nail Bond
A successful press-on manicure starts with finding the best nail glue. Press-on nails are a fun way to experiment with different designs or colors without fully committing or damaging your nails like you would with nail extensions or a gel set. But your manicure is only as good as your nail glue: You want a strong hold that can stand up to your day-to-day activities without a nail popping off.
To find the best nail glues for a long-lasting manicure, I consulted pro nail techs for their tips and product recommendations.
What to look for in a quality nail glue
All the experts I spoke to agreed that a great nail glue should have a fairly thick consistency. “You want the nail glue to be a bit thicker than regular gel polish so that it doesn’t easily spill or leak when you apply the nail tip,” Chicago-based nail technician Sarah Haidar says.
Finding a quick-drying nail glue will also help the application process, Toronto-based nail technician Cerise Carvalho tells us. “While drying, your press-ons shouldn’t be shifting around too much before they’re properly adhered to the nail because that can cause air bubbles and reduce retention,” she says.
“If you happen to be someone who has sensitivities to gel products (or wants to avoid developing sensitivities), looking for a HEMA-free nail glue to use is a great option to consider,” Haidar says. HEMA is a sensitizing ingredient found in some gel polishes and nail glues, which has been linked to skin allergies. Nail technician Dayanna Sapiens?also emphasizes being cautious of potentially toxic ingredients, specifically formaldehyde and toluene.
How to apply nail glue
The application process is usually the most intimidating part of attempting press-on or acrylic nails, and it may take a few tries before nailing (no pun intended) a good technique. Before starting, the general consensus among experts is to make sure your nails are properly prepped, which may seem like a no-brainer.
“[Push] back any dead skin on the nail, buffing the surface gently and dehydrating with alcohol wipes. Any dead skin or oils on the nail surface will prevent the nail glue from adhering properly,” Carvalho says. “Make sure not to miss any spots around the sidewalls and cuticles because that’s where the nails tend to detach/lift.”
Once your nails are cleaned, buffed and ready, you can apply your nail glue. According to Haidar, putting a very thin layer of glue on the nail tip and a drop of glue at the base (near the bottom of the tip) is usually the perfect amount of glue. New York State-licensed nail technician and press-on nail artist Maxine Stavalone suggests then “waiting about 10 seconds before applying the nail. You want [the glue] tacky and starting to dry.”
In the event that you happen to put too much glue on, Sapiens recommends using “a cleanup brush or a cotton swab dipped in nail polish remover to clean up any excess glue around the edges immediately after application.”
Keep reading to find expert-recommended nail glues for every type of manicure, starting at just $2.
Best nail glue for press-on nails
This highly rated Amazon favorite — and one of Carvalho's top picks — offers superior holding power and an easy application process, making it especially perfect for beginners.
This nail glue is beauty and fashion editor Sophie Shaw's go-to when she does press-ons. The brush applicator makes it so simple to apply onto the tips, and she's had her press-on manicures last a full two weeks with this glue.
Stavalone uses this nail glue when applying press-on nails at home. The adhesive itself has a medium consistency, which is designed to give you more control when applying.
This is Stavalone’s favorite brand when it comes to nail glue. It contains healthy, nail-safe ingredients and is easy to remove when the time comes.
Best nail glue for acrylic nails
This is a very popular Amazon product that the pros love too. Carvalho praises its “great retention,” and reviewers describe it as living up to its super-strong name.
With over 42,000 5-star ratings on Amazon, this nail glue promises to be durable and to set quickly, which is important when working with acrylics. Many reviewers claim it gives acrylic-level hold to press-ons, and others have used it for actual acrylics too.
Best glue for nail extensions
It’s worth noting that this particular nail glue is designed specifically for the Gel-X nail tips from the same brand, but nevertheless, it is an industry favorite among nail techs. “It’s the perfect consistency, and It keeps my extensions on for weeks," Haidar says. "The bottle brush is really nice too.” Sapiens highlights that it's a “super-durable and flexible formula that makes it easy to apply.”
Haidar says that this is a more affordable alternative to the Aprés nail glue and one that she uses quite often. The LED-cured formula has multiple uses, including acting as a gel base coat, a nail glue for extensions and an adhesive for rhinestones. Sapiens is also a fan of this one and says that it is free of 18 toxins, which is an added bonus.
Best nail glue for cracked or split nails
This viral pick is beloved for its staying power. It works with all kinds of fake nails, but the precision tip makes it especially great for small jobs like mending broken nails.
Stavalone says that brush-on glue is extremely helpful, and this is another one of her other favorites. Plus, reviewers say it goes on just like nail polish and that it can also be used to repair split nails until they grow out more.
Best nail glue for rhinestones and gems
When it comes to securing rhinestones and gems, an LED-cured glue will be your safest bet. Stavalone's favorite brand also makes this top-selling glue that's specifically made for affixing gems and rhinestones to your nail art. It has a thick gel consistency and a dual-ended pen-and-brush applicator for ultimate control.
