'I Tried the New KISS imPRESS Nails for 30 Days To See if They Are Actually Worth It'

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With everything costing more nowadays, and a dollar feeling like it can’t stretch as far as it used to, supplementary things feel more like a luxury that you can do every so often. Such as getting your nails done at a salon, things like that aren’t necessary to live, so it becomes a treat you might splurge on less and less. And while nothing completely comes close to salon-quality nails—especially if they’re gel extensions or acrylics—some brands are now making press-on nails that look so good that it doesn’t feel like a huge downgrade if that’s all you can afford. 

I’ve always loved getting my nails done; I started getting acrylics in college, and have been getting Gel-X extensions for a few years now. But between financial lows and time constraints, I don’t go to the salon as often as I’d like. Because of that, and the low effort it takes to apply them most of the time, I’ve turned to press-on nails more and more. I’ve even reviewed a few here before. And one brand that I’ve always been interested in trying is KISS, specifically their KISS ImPRESS line of fake nails. 

When it comes to things that my press-ons absolutely have to have, they need to look natural, or as if I went to the salon to get them (that means that, within their kits, they have good shapes and sizes that I don’t have to file down too much to fit my nail and look good). They also should have a good application method. Granted, I have my go-to nail glue, but still, the simpler and easier, the better. And if it comes with glue that I already like (such as a KISS nail set), then that’s even better because I don’t have to fetch my own. 

So, with that all in mind, how do KISS ImPRESS press-on nails compare to others that I’ve tried? And how did their “no glue, peel and stick” application method work out? I give my honest review of theKISS ImPRESS press-on nails below, and share everything you need to know before you go out and try them yourself. Plus, I let you in on what they’re actually perfect for—hint: you’ll be happy if you have a special event coming up. 

Related: The 13 Best Press-On Nails, Tested by Celebrity Manicurists

What Are New KISS ImPRESS Press-On Nails?

You might have heard of the brand, KISS, before; they make popular press-on nail products as well as false eyelashes (and glue for both). While their press-on nails that use glue are their most well-known items, the KISS ImPRESS Press-On No Glue Nails are a newer product from the company that has a sticky tab already attached to each fake nail. So, in theory, all you have to do is prep your nails, size the fake ones out and stick them on. 

Each box of KISS ImPRESS nails comes with 30 fake nails in over a dozen different sizes, so that you can find the right fit for each of your nails. It also comes with instructions, a cuticle pusher, a mini nail file and one alcohol wipe for prepping your natural nails. It’s all very similar to what you’d get in a glue press-on kit, except no glue because the sticky adhesive tabs are already adhered to the fake nail.

For reference, I tried the Amerie set of nails from their “design” collection first, around the end of June. And then I put on the Coast set of nails, from the same design line, right before the Fourth of July.

As I hinted at above, these are the best for one need, in particular: special events or occasions. Whether that includes weddings, galas, holiday parties or even vacations that you need a quick manicure for, these press-on nails are made for specific events. More on that later, including why.

Related: The Surprising Reason Press-On Nails Are Perfect for Women Over 50, According to a Celebrity Manicurist

How Long Do No Glue ImPRESS Nails Actually Last?

KISS advertises on their website and in the kits that these ImPRESS nails are meant to stay on for at least 10 days. And I can attest to the fact that that’s true! 

In fact, I had to take the second set off before they were even getting loose around the 14-day mark. The first pair I tried on lasted over 10 days, but some nails did start popping off on their own a couple of days later, so I took that set off at the same time.

One downside, though, was that, due to the nature of the sticky tabs, there was bound to be a gap between my natural nail and the fake one. This bothered me a bit, especially after a week or so of them being on, but it wasn’t something other people would notice easily (or show up in pictures).

Now I will say, the one thing that I was not expecting was the fact that, because of the sticky tabs, they moved around if you pressed on the sides of them. They wouldn’t readjust to a new place on your nail, but the jelly nature of the tabs made it so that you could, like, jiggle it around in place. This meant that when I grabbed something big or even tried to readjust my clothing, the nail would push back into my cuticle. While this didn’t hurt, it was sometimes uncomfortable and made it harder to grasp things, which isn’t what I’m used to with other press-ons. 

With that said, though, this quirky feature didn’t weaken the adhesive or make them pop off before 10 days. In fact, even though there is this posable kind of quality to them, they were hard to pull off when I was done with them. So the staying power is definitely there, especially for what it’s advertised for. 

Do KISS ImPRESS Nails Look Real in Photos?

Yes, these look good in photos. When I had my ImPRESS nails on, they fit so perfectly on my natural nails that they matched the shape of them and didn’t let the real nail peek out from behind. 

Both sets that I tried had very cute and complex designs, so they definitely looked like I went and got them done. But they looked real in photos and in person. Honestly, they even looked like they could be expensive press-ons (you couldn’t tell they were applied with adhesive tabs) or even gel extensions, especially when I first put them on. 

The Specific Need: Why These Are the Ultimate Special Occasion Nails

As mentioned before, these press-ons move around on your nail, which can be cumbersome and might make them less desirable than regular glue press-on nails. However, with how good they look once they’re applied and how many options they have available to buy, they are perfect for special occasions. Honestly, I’d say they are the ultimate special occasion nails. 

Now, if it’s your special day—such as your own wedding, or it’s your birthday or anniversary trip—you’ll most likely want to get nails that can hold up a bit better and that aren’t meant to be so temporary (at least in comparison to salon nails or glued-on ones). 

But, if you have an event coming up that you want nice manicured nails for—but you don’t want to splurge at the moment, or you don’t want these specific nails on for more than a week without damaging your natural nails—KISS ImPRESS press-ons are the perfect solution. 

If you prefer the look of professionally done gel extensions or acrylics, or you want something sleek and polished-looking (no pun intended) but you don’t want to make the commitment to a design or color for this special occasion, then this is where the KISS ImPRESS nails come in handy. 

Up until now, if I couldn’t afford to go to my nail lady or I didn’t have the time, but I had an event coming up, I usually would opt for press-on nails. This goes for instances where I wanted a new manicure, but I also didn’t want to commit to something that would last a month or more (which is what salon-quality nails get me). However, even press-ons stay too long sometimes for what I need them for, and unless they’re already coming off, they aren’t easy to remove without acetone.

But the ImPRESS nails are now another option that is even more perfect for special occasions where lots of pictures are being taken, and/or maybe there’s a theme you have (or want) to stick to (again, pun intended), and you need your nails done, but you want a short-term option. 

Maybe you’re a bridesmaid in your best friend’s wedding, and she asks all of her wedding party to have neutral-colored nails. But you’re a Pinterest-inspo Gel-X nail girlie, and the thought of asking your nail technician to give you a plain gel manicure pains you. Having the option for press-on nails that look professionally done and last for a little over a week (at least) is perfect. 

The other benefit to using ImPRESS nails is that they’re mess-free and pretty beginner-friendly. So if you’re in a rush out the door for your special event—a work conference, a family reunion, a bachelorette party, etc.—you can throw these in your bag and apply them on-the-go, and you won’t have to worry about nail glue leaking in your liquids bag (it has happened to me many times before, unfortunately) or nail glue getting all over the place as you hasten to apply your nails for whatever event you have coming up. 

Another downside to press-on nails you have to glue on is the fact that if you move too fast or you’re not super careful, you might get glue to seep out the sides and onto your skin. And if you’re in a hotel room or not home, you might not have acetone to clean it up, leaving you with a less-than-professional-looking manicure. Or if you know you’re going to have to apply them quickly or on-the-go (in a car, outside of the house, etc.), the adhesive tab makes it a great option for something that looks good but has virtually no mess involved. 

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How to choose the best ImPRESS nail design for weddings and galas

Similar to their glue-on nails, the KISS ImPRESS nails come in different colors and collections. There are the Color FX ImPRESS nails, which are solid colors with visual effects. They have cat eye nails, holographic ones, shimmery and luminous ones. These are good if you have an event with no strict nail color code, but you don’t want a “loud” pattern—or if you’re someone who wants something fun but you still prefer one-color nails.

Then they have their “color” line, which includes solid colors as well as subtle ombre nails. They’re all glossy, but some are a bit shinier than others, so it’s really about personal preference. These are perfect for weddings that ask their bridal parties to have solid or neutral colors (especially if you choose from their Bare but Better collection). If you’re someone who just likes solid colors but you want it to look like you got them done at a salon, these are also going to be the ones you’ll want to choose. 

And lastly, they have their design collection, which is exactly what it sounds like. These include French manicures, but also more elaborate designs—some are even 3D and textured. If you’re someone who needs a little pizzazz with their manicured nails, this is going to be your go-to.

Are KISS imPRESS No Glue Nails Damage-Free?

In comparison to press-on nails that you need to glue on—and definitely compared to gel extensions or acrylic nails—these cause way less damage. And I would say they’re pretty damage-free, though anything can happen, unfortunately. 

But with the ImPRESS nails, as they’re sitting on your natural nail, no chemical or adhesive agent is bonding to it, making it inherently safer and better for your nail’s health. 

When you take them off, I found that the sticky tab was very strong and usually damaged the fake nail. However, it never pulled on my natural nails in a way that broke them. Even though the adhesive tab did leave residue on my nail that took a bit longer to remove, it kind of just felt like those tabs that are used in the mail to stick a credit card to letters. Essentially, my nails were just as intact as they were when I applied them (which I can’t always say is the case when I use other fake nail application methods). 

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Step-by-Step: How To Apply imPRESS Nails So They Don’t Pop Off

If you’ve ever applied press-on nails at all, even with glue, these are going to be a breeze to put on. The steps are below!

1. Find the correct size ImPRESS nail for your natural nail. If you’re between sizes, go with the bigger one and file the sides down to fit. You don’t want to stick a nail on that’s too small, because it’ll be uncomfortable and more likely to pop off early. 
2. Use the alcohol prep pad that came with the set on each nail. This dehydrates the surface so there is no moisture as you apply the fake nail, which also ensures it stays on longer. 

1. Peel off the plastic backing on the nail, revealing the adhesive tab that’s already stuck on each press-on. 
2. Align the bottom of the nail with your cuticle (or slightly above it), and press down on the nail firmly to apply. Hold for about 15 seconds or so (make sure all sides are flush against your real nail). 
3. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for each nail until all of your nails have an ImPRESS press-on nail on them. 
4. NOTE: Make sure that your nail is facing the right way up by making sure the part of the fake nail that has the sticky tab is near your cuticle.

The Verdict: Are They Worth It?

Here are some of my positive and negative thoughts about my experience with KISS ImPRESS nails.

So overall, I do think they’re worth trying out or using because they look really good when applied, they’re low-maintenance and low-effort, plus they fulfill the need of getting a sleek manicure quickly. 

If you’re someone who won’t deal with the slight movements of the nails well, or you always prefer fake nails that stay on for two weeks or longer, then I would say they’re not for you. But if you need something fast for a special event or occasion, or you like to switch up your nails weekly, these are absolutely something you should try soon.

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