Glue-On Nails Vs. Stick-On Nails: Which is Better?

For those who like to try new nail designs and colors with their nails, you might have thought about the concept of artificial nails. Now I am not talking about going and paying someone else to get your nails done. I am talking about the do it yourself artificial adhesive nails that you can purchase almost anywhere. Worried about how to apply them and the outcome? Here are some tips that will help you decide which kinds to choose from and what to do with them.

Glue-On Nails
These are the types where you have to apply nail glue (clear superglue type) on the inside of the artificial nail itself and on your own nail and then press together for about thirty seconds. Sounds tricky and messy? For beginners, I would recommend getting the kinds where the detail and print are fully colored or covered so any glue spots underneath won't show through the artificial nail. Once you start getting used to applying them, you can switch to French manicure or clearer colored types without worrying about it looking not neat. The pros about these is that they stay on longer (about a week) and you don't have to be constantly worrying if any of them might accidentally chip or come off within a couple of days of application. They also come in a lot more prints and in more "grown up" designs and in longer lengths for bigger hands. The cons are that they are more difficult to remove. If you wear them long enough, they will eventually start coming loose on their own and you can peel them off, but that is very damaging for you own nails.

Stick-On Nails
These are the kinds more geared toward the younger crowd where you just take the artificial nail that come with a pre-adhesive backing and hold it down on your own nail for about five seconds. These type of prints tend to be more "younger looking" and come in smaller sizes for smaller hands. The pros about these are that they simpler to apply and to remove. Another plus about these is that you can apply nail glue to the back of them to add extra duration.

Both of these types of artificial nails can retail anywhere from three to six dollars. Stick-On nails generally cost less than Glue-On nails. These are sold in mass merchandise stores, drugstores, and beauty specialty stores everywhere. Popular brands include "Broadway", "Nailene", "Fing'rs", and "Smackers".