One thing about me: You’re never gonna see my fingers with bare, chipped, or grown-out nails. It’s safe to say that I take my manicures very seriously, but I have to admit that it’s an expensive (and time-consuming!) luxury. A bi-weekly gel manicure in New York City is no cheap regimen! And don’t even get me started on paying extra for nail art. You’re looking at upwards of $1,000 a year—and that’s not even including a pedi.
So, I sought out to address my issue with Glamnetic’s press-on nails (painting my own nails would require artistic skill which I do not have). To be honest, the last time I experimented with press-ons was during the pandemic in 2020 when all the salons closed down, so I hadn’t attempted an at-home mani in nearly four years. But I was tempted when I heard the hype about Glamnetic, so I decided to try ‘em out for myself.
Kim wearing Ma Damns in short almond
ICYMI, these aren’t your typical drugstore tips. These bad boys actually come in a bunch of Instagram-worthy designs, various lengths/shapes, and unique colorways. Plus, they require very little experience moonlighting as a nail tech, which I appreciated. So, are Glamnetic’s sets really worth the hype? Lucky for you, Team Cosmo tested several different kits in the name of beauty journalism.
AND, because I love our Cosmo girlies so much, I snagged a special discount code for all Glamnetic’s products. That’s right, just use code COSMO20 at checkout for 20% off any purchase!
Pros
They come in a bunch of unique designs
It’s no secret that the manicure trend cycle moves quicker than the time it takes to actually get your nails done. We’ve been through everything—including food-themed aesthetics like strawberry glaze chrome and butter yellow nails. Luckily, Glamnetic has so many options so you can hop on that microtrend you’ve been eyeing (like metallic tips), or keep it simple with a neutral finish.
They last longer than other press-ons
Glamnetic says that the sets last up to two weeks, and each of us found that these press-ons lasted significantly longer than other brands’ that we’ve tried in the past. Take it from associate editor Siena Gagliano, who considers herself an at-home manicure aficionado. “Press-on nails are the only way I do my manis nowadays, so I’ve tried my fair share, and Glamnetics are truly my favorite. I’ve found some brands don’t last as long, or the design always chips. These don’t—they stay put and look perfect for an astonishingly long time.”
Jasmine wearing Lilac in short round
The unmatched staying power can be accredited to both the strong nail glue and the removable tab options. For a no-fuss manicure that will keep your nails secure for as long as possible, I recommend going for the strong hold nail glue application. Now, if you’re someone who loves to swap out and reuse styles or you want to change up your nails for a specific event, the adhesive tabs are an unfailing option that are easy to remove.
“To my delightful surprise, these press-ons lasted about a week with the removable nail tabs, in fact, I had only one nail pop off and that was while I was struggling with some jeans (IYKYK)” says deputy shopping director Kim Duong. “They also survived multiple shampoos and energetic Slack messaging.”
Not to mention, a typical polish job lasts about three days before chipping, so naturally we found that these are a much longer-lasting option to a regular manicure.
The kits come with all the essential tools
The sets come with everything you need for a long-lasting, simple, and chic mani. Each box comes with 30 numbered nails, a wooden cuticle pusher, a mini nail file, and an alcohol pad. If you want to experiment with the adhesive tabs, they’re sold separately.
The application and removal process
Okay, these nails are truly foolproof to apply. Simply swipe your nail bed with the included alcohol pad to create a clean canvas, push back your cuticles if you want with the (also included) cuticle pusher, and apply the press-ons with the glue. It’s so easy that lifestyle editor Hannah Chubb applied them in a moving car on her way to a wedding, no joke.
Hannah wearing Goal Digger in short round
The adhesive tabs are also an ideal option for beginners. Start by ID’ing the right size for each of your nails and apply the tabs onto your nails like stickers. Then apply the press-ons! With the tabs, you can easily adjust the nails into place. “I mean, the number of times I made a mistake and peeled off the nail to reposition it… Try doing that with fast-drying nail glue (wait, don’t!),” says Duong. “And as secure as they were, I also had no issue removing them, no damage, no struggle. I could also clean off the leftover goo and reuse the nails another time.”
The price
Each kit ranges from $15 (for solid colors and basic patterns) up to $22 (for more intricate designs). Each box features 30 nails, so if you’re willing to play around with different nail sizes, you can try to get more than one mani out of each purchase! So according to my calculations, that equates to less than $10 per manicure. Your $60 manicure is now a thing of the past. You’re welcome!
And don’t forget to use our exclusive code COSMO20 at checkout for 20% off any purchase. Your bank account (and fingers) will thank you, trust us.
Cons
They look like press-ons
If we’re being honest, no press-on is going to perfectly replicate the look of your natural nail. (Since they have to go on top of your natural nail and they’re not growing under your cuticles!) But no one is really looking that closely at your fingers, so we think they can def pass for a fresh mani.
“I’ll be honest, I found that these press-ons look a little like press-ons,” admits Duong. “Not to say that these nails look bad! Glamnetic’s press-ons, when applied correctly, definitely look better than other press-on nail brands I’ve tried. And with the right technique, Glamnetic’s can look really great. Pro tip: I found that the designs featuring a ‘nude’ base, such as the Ma Damns (the brand’s almond-shaped take on French tips), look the most ‘natural’, especially when applied right up against the cuticle.”
Adhesives and brush applicator are sold separately
While the pack comes with a tube of nail glue, if you wanna get super precise with the brush applicator, you’re unfortunately gonna have to buy the bottle of nail glue separately. And, if you’d prefer to use the adhesive tabs to minimize clean-up, they’re also sold individually. While another addition to your shopping cart isn’t ideal, we found that these application methods are pretty mess-free and worth the extra purchase.
Brush On Nail Glue
Removable Nail Tabs
The bottom line:
We all agree that Glamnetic’s press-ons are a great option in comparison to a pricey and time-consuming manicure. Overall, the fun designs, simple application process, and lasting power make these especially worth it. While we can’t replace the luxury of a salon mani, these press-ons come pretty darn close at a fraction of the price.
“Glamnetic’s press-ons are great if you can’t secure a nail appointment or just feel like trying out a fun set without dropping all that money and time on a manicure,” says Duong. “They’re especially great if you’re trying out different shapes and designs or if you have an upcoming event and you’re in a pinch.”
“I’ve worn a lot of press-on nails in my day (I consider them my secret weapon…that I tell literally everyone about),” says Chubb.” I’ve also tried damn near every brand on the market… And Glamnetics? They can hang. They’ve stayed put for a week now without me having to re-glue even one of ’em.”
Jasmine Hyman is the assistant shopping editor at Cosmopolitan where she covers all the best things you can add to your cart. She loves writing about everything from fashion to politics, and you can definitely find her listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on loop while doing so. She’s also probably in bed either reading or endlessly scrolling through TikTok (most likely the latter). Feel free to follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.
