The right size is the difference between press-ons that look natural and press-ons that pop off by lunchtime. Short nail beds need a little more care, because there’s less nail to stick to.
The golden rule
A press-on should cover your nail from side wall to side wall without touching the skin. If it’s too wide it lifts at the sides; too narrow and your natural nail shows.
How to size every nail
- Lay the set out by size.
- Hold each press-on against the nail without glue.
- Check the width at the widest part of the nail, not at the tip.
- Between two sizes? Choose the smaller one and file its sides slightly.
- Write each size down: thumb, index, middle, ring, pinky, for both hands.
Tip: Most people need different sizes on the left and right hand. Size both.
Short-nail fit tips
- Choose short or medium-length press-ons; long tips put more stress on a small nail bed.
- Squoval and round tips look most natural over short nails.
- If the curve of the press-on doesn’t match your nail, warm it in your hand for a minute before applying.
Free Short Nail Shape Guide
Five shapes that suit short nails, a quick ‘find your shape’ checklist and how to file a neat shape. Free printable, A4 + US Letter.
Get it freeShort Nail Manicure Planner ยท $5
Nail profile, at-home manicure checklist, manicure log, polish tracker, press-on sizing and a 30-day care tracker. 10 printable pages.
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