Olive & June Press-On Nails Review: A High-Quality Mani That Applies In A Flash

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Following Aug 28, 2023, 06:20pm EDT | Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin After researching and testing products for my review of the best press-on nails , Olive & June’s The Instant Mani emerged as the winning pick. Read on to learn more about how this popular set came out on top. The best press-on nails have come a long way from the pre-glued faux nails of yesteryear.

They look polished and glossy and surprisingly natural, adding much-needed length and shape to unmanicured nails. And a good set can last you a while—through several wears. I’ve relied on stick-and-go nails for over a decade now, and for the past 2 weeks, I’ve put seven of the top brands to the test, examining their performance, design and other factors under a microscope.

Olive & June’s The Instant Mani kit is high quality and eco-minded, and the design and color options . . .

[+] span classic and of-the-moment designs. Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailer After considering key features like aesthetics, feel and long-term wear, I found Olive & June’s The Instant Mani Press-On Nails to be the best overall. After 9 days of extensive wear—we’re talking stacks of dishes, mounds of laundry, thousands of words typed on a keyboard—this set outlived its weeklong claim.

The size range is unmatched (by far), the nail material is high quality and eco-minded and the design and color options span classic and of-the-moment designs. Read on for all the ways these popular press-on nails rose above their competitors. Olive & June Olive & June Pink Goldfish Press-On Nails Buy From Olive & June Number of designs: 95+ | Reusable: Yes | Size options: 21 per hand | Adhesive: Glue Best for: Non-damaging application and removal The widest range of nail sizes Those who want an eco-conscious option Skip if: You prefer your mani to last longer (this one offers up to 9 days of wear) MORE FROM FORBES VETTED The Best Rowing Machines, According To Our Gear Experts By Bailey Berg Contributor Lenovo Slim Pro 9i Review: Portable Power With A Hefty Compromise By Adam Doud Contributor An Inclusive Range Of Nail Sizes One of the first things I noticed when opening up this kit was the number of nail sizes offered: Each set includes 21 different sizes, for a total of 42 nails.

From my research, I knew this brand offered the most extensive range of sizes on the market, and none of the six other brands I tested came close to having this amount. Olive & June’s team says they tested on more than 1,000 people to find the ideal wear, curvature and fit. Considering you have 21 nails to try per hand, you’re sure to find a proper fit, no matter where you fall on the size spectrum.

The set includes the more common smaller nails, but it’s the larger and thumb-sized nails that really caught my eye. Plenty are way too big for my hands, but it’s a nice change from having only a few thumb-sized options to choose from. There’s only a slight difference between each size, so the final result feels like a custom fit.

Each Olive & June The Instant Mani set includes 21 different sizes, for a total of 42 nails. Stephanie Montes For Forbes Thoughtful Packaging In A User-Friendly Kit Along with the nails—which happen to be made from 94% post-consumer recycled materials—the set includes a double-sided mini nail file and buffer, wooden cuticle pusher, prep pad and nail glue that comes with a snap-off tab at the end of the applicator, to keep the glue from drying out before your first use. There’s an extensive manual that is packed with plenty of tips and tricks.

I found the illustration of a left and right hand with labeled nails especially helpful because it serves as a place mat to keep track of your fitted press-ons. Olive & June’s press-on nails kit includes an extensive manual that is packed with plenty of tips . .

. [+] and tricks. Stephanie Montes For Forbes Customizable Nails With Longevity There are instructions for long- or short-term wear, which is a nice option I’ve never seen another brand offer.

I went for the long-wear version, which calls for glue on both the underside of the fake nail and the top of the natural nail. With this application, Olive & June guarantees 7 days of wear; my set outlived this claim. On day 9, my index fingernail popped off when colliding with a drawer pull I reached for too quickly.

This would usually result in a broken nail, but thanks to the brand’s non-damaging glue, my natural nail and its surface remained totally unscathed. I had a sheen from the leftover adhesive that mimicked a clear topcoat, but there was no peeling, so I was fine with letting it wear off on its own over the next few days. How Do The Olive & June The Instant Mani Press-On Nails Compare To Others? The custom sizing is unmatched: While other brands offer between 24 and 30 nails, Olive & June includes 42 nails in a single kit.

And aside from that benefit, Olive & June fabricates press-ons from 94% post-consumer recycled materials, whereas other brands use only acrylic resin, gel or plastic. And the brand is more than reasonably priced. Other kits that I tested range from $4 to $22, and these fall on the more affordable end of the range, at $10.

Olive & June offers over 95 different designs, including solid colors and graphic looks and shapes . . .

[+] like extra short and squoval or long and almond. Stephanie Montes For Forbes There are over 95 different designs to choose from, including solid colors and graphic looks and shapes like extra short and squoval or long and almond. Other brands also have an extensive range of designs, but Olive & June offers double or triple the amount of options as some competitors.

I also love that they’re available at Target, which makes picking up a set of quality nails at the last minute fast and easy. How I Tested The Best Press-On Nails When evaluating each contender, I considered details like cost and customer reviews, but also dug deeper into ease of use, overall aesthetics and sizing. And because even the smallest details make a big difference, I looked closely at the branding and packaging, availability (in store vs.

online only), adhesive types and material of the nails. Quality and length of wear remained top of my list throughout my testing. To keep testing fair, I applied a mix of the nail brands on my hands at the same time and subjected them to the same wear and use at the same time.

I prepped each nail to a T according to its specific instructions. Some called for buffing the nail before applying glue, while others recommended applying glue to both the press-on and natural nail. I put them through various everyday tasks, like washing dishes in warm soapy water, brushing my hair, changing diapers, buckling and unbuckling multiple car seats, typing and more.

I gave all the nails up to 9 days of wear and made daily checks to evaluate signs of wear on the tips, lifting at the edges, chips, breaking or if any of them snagged my hair. My Expertise I’ve been a beauty writer and editor for almost a decade, and I’ve written for top women’s magazines, including Allure, Elle, Women’s Health, Brides and more. Over my years in editorial, I’ve written plenty of pieces about press-on nails, from new brand launches, where I interviewed founders and creators, to hands-on testing pieces.

However, I’ve been applying press-on nails since long before my editorial career began. I’ve experimented with all kinds of application techniques and countless brands, and I have worn them for every occasion since high school. For this review, I also consulted a longtime expert in the field, Nailing Hollywood artist and press-on nail expert San Sung Kim , for her best faux mani tips, tricks and advice.

Kim, who focuses on avant-garde designs, uses press-on nails to create her Insta-famous looks that include everything from textured, 3D designs to marble prints. Stephanie Montes Editorial Standards Print Reprints & Permissions.