Hot Off the Press

9 Cute Press-On Nail Kits Under $20 to Buy on Amazon

Easy to pop on and to remove, these fake nails in glossy, embellished, and matte styles are sure to stun. Plus, every single option costs 18 bucks for less.
9 PressOn Nail Kits on Amazon to Buy for Under 20
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With salons continuing to battle COVID-19 restrictions without a clear end in sight, at-home manicures and press-on nails have been surging in popularity. Since the onset of the pandemic, professional nail artists have been creating customized press-on sets to offset business losses. And even prior to the pandemic, we started spotting more fake nails (from brands like Kiss) sent down New York Fashion Week runways. Allure editors, like Nicola Dall'Asen, have also been adamant fans of the paint-on alternatives for quite some time now. 

A lineup of professional nail artists, including Eun Kyung Park, Gina Edwards, and Miss Pop have previously shared their expert tips to keep your manicure looking as fresh and lasting as long as possible. After you match each nail to the properly-sized press-on, push your cuticles back (many kits will come with a wooden tool) and wipe your nails clean with alcohol, so oils don't prevent proper adhesion. From there, ensure the edges of each press-on lie flush up against the edges of your natural nail and seal it all in with glue — concentrate it in the center of the nail so it doesn't spill over to the edges and onto your skin — or the provided, double-sided stickers.

When applied properly and carefully handled, they can look just as seamless as professional manicures — but at a fraction of the cost and with less damage incurred. "The biggest benefit of a press-on is you are in charge of your nail health," nail artist Gina Edwards previously told Allure. Removal should be just as simple as application, as long as you are patient with soaking nail tapes in warm water or glued-on tips in acetone. In further contrast with gels and acrylics, press-ons also allow for more frequent experimentation of different shapes and colors.

Amazon might not be the first place you think of when it comes to buying a fresh set of fake nails, but for those searching for a good deal, it's a very convenient place to start. (As always, read up on those reviews, and use customer photos as a point of reference of what to expect.) 

Ahead, find nine of our favorite kits in a variety of lengths, colors, shapes, and designs for under $20 — most are even $10 or less — including picks from Gabi Thorne, Allure's resident press-on nail expert.

All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

  • Two hands modeling a burgundy bejeweled set of CoolNail Sharp False Nails against a blurred background of a person's body
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    CoolNail Sharp False Nails

    When we tapped professional nail artists for their 2021 trend predictions, embellished and pre-painted nails made the cut. For a truly dazzling look on the fly, check out CoolNail's Sharp False Nails for bejeweled, marbled, and ombré styles that will capture everyone's attention over Zoom. Each set comes with 24 nails and one sheet of double-sided adhesive tabs, which can be used in place of nail glue — but either works. 

    $7 to $13 (Shop Now)

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    Kiss Impress Press-On Manicure

    The Kiss Impress Press-On Manicure impressed us so much that we awarded it a 2020 Best of Beauty Award. Oh, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is a fan, too. While there are countless colors and designs to choose from, Casting Call (pictured above) offers a welcomed contrast to our current, gloomy reality with touches of bright baby blue, silver glitter, and multi-chrome sequins. Each kit includes 30 nails with pre-applied glue, an alcohol prep pad to ensure the best possible adhesion, a nail file, and a wooden stick to push back cuticles. It's basically foolproof.

    $9 (Shop Now)

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    Allkem Beauty Extra Long Press-Ons

    As far as monochromatic sets with major length go, the Allkem Beauty Extra Long Press-Ons simply nail it. Choose from bright reds, yellows, and blues in glossy finishes and either stiletto or coffin styles. One reviewer says she always receives compliments on "the shape and vibrancy of these nails." Each 20-piece set comes in a range of 10 different sizes to ensure the perfect fit for each finger. Just be sure to pick up a bottle of strong nail glue since this set doesn't come with any.

    $10 to $18 (Shop Now)

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    EDary Geometric Lines Press-On Nails

    If DIY'ing nail art tests your patience to new limits, we suggest popping on EDary's Geometric Lines Press-On Nails to save you time and frustration. Each 24-piece set is pre-decorated with black abstract lines and faces for a minimalist design that still packs a punch. Depending on how short you prefer your nails, you might be able to skip the usual filing. Outfit each nail with an adhesive sticker (or glue), hold each press-on for five seconds, and voilà, your very own nail art exhibit is complete.

    $10 (Shop Now)

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    VM Direct Acrylic Fake Nails

    The VM Direct Acrylic Fake Nails offer ballerina/coffin (which blew up in 2020) and stiletto shapes in 18 different colors and finishes to instantly glam up your nails. We're fans of these asymmetrical French tips, but plenty of monochrome reds, purples, yellows, and blacks are available if you prefer to forgo the art. Each set allocates 20 press-ons in 10 different sizes that you can further cut or file down to your preferred length. Keep in mind that you'll have to buy nail glue separately.

    $10 (Shop Now)

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    Favelo Ballerina Press-On Nails

    If you follow Kylie Jenner's ever-evolving manicures, you'll notice that her preferred shape is ballerina (also known as coffin), which is the name for a tapered, square cut. If you're curious about trying it out for yourself, these Favelo Ballerina Press-On Nails will only run you $10 at most. The 24-piece sets come in nine glossy shades, including an alluring forest green (pictured above) and bold neon green. They're compatible with the included adhesive tape or whatever glue you already own. When it comes to removal, soak your nails in warm water for two minutes to loosen up the tape to avoid leaving marks on your natural nails.

    $7 to $10 (Shop Now)

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    Kiss Everlasting French Nail Kit

    While the resurgence of the French manicure has brought about colorful twists and unexpected variations, sometimes you simply want to go back to the basics. The Kiss Everlasting French Nail Kit is the easiest way to do just that and serves up 28 square-shaped French tips that stay chip-free for up to a week. A glue stick, wooden cuticle stick, and miniature file round out the supplies you'll need for flawless application and framing. One reviewer said her coworkers couldn't even tell her tips were fake, so consider us sold.

    $6 (Shop Now)

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    Socu Matte Press-On Nails

    For a dose of understated glam, look no further than Socu's Matte Press-On Nails, which are offered in a variety of muted gray, brown, burgundy, pink, purple, and black shades. Each set comes with a whopping 72 nails in three different colors, as well as three sheets of adhesive nail tabs and a small nail file, so you truly get your money's worth. Since they naturally come in shorter lengths, these fake nails are ideal for people who want to cut down on the time they usually spend on filing and shaping. Consider them a one-and-done sort of situation.

    $10 (Shop Now)

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    Justotry Solid Color Long Press-On Nails

    Ringing in at just $4 for a 24-piece set, you can buy multiple sets of the Justotry Solid Color Long Press-On Nails and still stay under budget. Mix and match colors to create a multi-colored mani (another forecasted 2021 trend) or throw on some gems like this reviewer did. Whether you're feeling Barbie pink, metallic silver, or all-over lilac glitter, there's a set for every mood and aesthetic. If you want your fake nails to last even longer, be sure to seal them down with glue for a stronger hold, instead of using adhesive stickers.

    $4 (Shop Now)

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