If you've ever worn press-on nails, then you're all too aware of just how difficult it is to find a pre-shaped nail that aligns perfectly with your own. Then finding the duplicate for your other hand is a whole other feat in itself.
Static Nails clearly caught on to what other press-on nail brands haven't because all of their nails are numbered. I tried to take a picture once I noticed the clever little addition but they're too subtle to be seen with an iPhone camera. I only noticed the mini indicators after the fact, when I happened to be in a patch of stellar natural lighting and I spotted what looked like an oddly-shaped scratch on the underside of my nail. So, while I may not have known when applying my own Static Nails, now you will.
Image courtesy Rebecca Norris
Static Nails clearly caught on to what other press-on nail brands haven't because all of their nails are numbered. I tried to take a picture once I noticed the clever little addition but they're too subtle to be seen with an iPhone camera. I only noticed the mini indicators after the fact, when I happened to be in a patch of stellar natural lighting and I spotted what looked like an oddly-shaped scratch on the underside of my nail. So, while I may not have known when applying my own Static Nails, now you will.
Image courtesy Rebecca Norris
Despite being worlds apart from traditional press-on nails, Static Nails are still a bit tricky to apply by yourself. As with all press-ons, applying the first hand is a breeze, but then trying to maneuver nails onto the other hand while getting used to ultra-long nails is challenging. Does this mean it's impossible? Definitely not. I'm just a big advocate of girls' nights and if they happen to help make a DIY manicure more foolproof, then that's just the perfect excuse to buy a bottle of Pinot, order a pizza and have the perfect little spa night, manicures and all.
Image courtesy Rebecca Norris
Image courtesy Rebecca Norris
As I sit here typing away at this article, my nails are long, iridescent and perfectly coffin-shaped. While I always loved the look as I scrolled through beauty blogger's after beauty blogger's feeds, I never really thought I could pull off the ultra-chic look, even as a beauty editor myself. There's just something about the out-to-there lengths and the sharp edges that intimidated me -- and if it weren't for Static Nails coming in this shape, I never would have discovered just how flattering it can be.
Not sure you can pull them off? Seriously, buy a pair, press them on and fall in love with your new mani. Just beware, after applying them you might notice yourself purposefully tucking your hair behind your ear with a single extended finger/ holding your phone differently/ zoning out staring at them in all their glory/ you know, really just anything to show off your killer new claws.
Image courtesy Rebecca Norris
Not sure you can pull them off? Seriously, buy a pair, press them on and fall in love with your new mani. Just beware, after applying them you might notice yourself purposefully tucking your hair behind your ear with a single extended finger/ holding your phone differently/ zoning out staring at them in all their glory/ you know, really just anything to show off your killer new claws.
Image courtesy Rebecca Norris
So, by now it's pretty clear just how much I love my Smoke & Mirrors press-ons, but if you're used to close-cut natural nails, switching overnight to near-daggers can be quite the adjustment. From texting and typing to making my bed, washing dishes and even removing my makeup, I have constantly been aware of my nails and the fear that they'll pop off at an inconvenient time -- or worse, I'll injure myself.
Here's my advice though: I think the reason I felt so uncomfortable at first is because I'm used to having to be careful with press-on nails if I don't want them to immediately fall off. Unfortunately, in the first few days of wear I didn't fully trust that Static Nails were worth the hype and truly nothing to worry about. That being said, use your hands as you normally would and don't worry about pop-off -- these nails are made to last.
Image courtesy Rebecca Norris
Here's my advice though: I think the reason I felt so uncomfortable at first is because I'm used to having to be careful with press-on nails if I don't want them to immediately fall off. Unfortunately, in the first few days of wear I didn't fully trust that Static Nails were worth the hype and truly nothing to worry about. That being said, use your hands as you normally would and don't worry about pop-off -- these nails are made to last.
Image courtesy Rebecca Norris
You might roll your eyes at Static Nail's claim that they can last for up to 18 days. I know I did. But then I pressed the nails onto my short nail beds and they're still going strong. While I haven't worn them for 18 days, they have so far stayed intact for seven days, which is simply unheard of in the world of press-ons.
Update: As for how my nails fared when I removed them, I was pleasantly surprised by the result. While most manicures -- gel or otherwise -- leave nails feeling brittle, a week with my Static Nails mani left my nails looking no different than the day that I pressed them on, save for some residual glue that I was able to easily peel off. So, why only 7 days when they claim to last 18? Instead of giving them the full time to run their course and fall off, I opted to pluck them off by lifting the sides as instructed, knowing that they could be a potential hazard during my upcoming weekend away swimming through rapids (call me crazy).
In the end, only two nails (my pointer fingers) were difficult to remove in the process, which I suspect is because I put extra glue on those fingers, as they're always the first to go with any other press-on nails I've tried. (The instructions tell you how much glue to apply, depending on how long you want them to last.) Either way, 7 days or 18, that's seriously impressive technology for the world of press-on nails, don't you think?
As for the Static Nails, they were in as good of shape as ever and ready for my next application.
Image courtesy Rebecca Norris
Update: As for how my nails fared when I removed them, I was pleasantly surprised by the result. While most manicures -- gel or otherwise -- leave nails feeling brittle, a week with my Static Nails mani left my nails looking no different than the day that I pressed them on, save for some residual glue that I was able to easily peel off. So, why only 7 days when they claim to last 18? Instead of giving them the full time to run their course and fall off, I opted to pluck them off by lifting the sides as instructed, knowing that they could be a potential hazard during my upcoming weekend away swimming through rapids (call me crazy).
In the end, only two nails (my pointer fingers) were difficult to remove in the process, which I suspect is because I put extra glue on those fingers, as they're always the first to go with any other press-on nails I've tried. (The instructions tell you how much glue to apply, depending on how long you want them to last.) Either way, 7 days or 18, that's seriously impressive technology for the world of press-on nails, don't you think?
As for the Static Nails, they were in as good of shape as ever and ready for my next application.
Image courtesy Rebecca Norris