Press-on nails are having a moment, and Indian brands are nailing this comeback

Press-on nails have been around for a while. Some girls wore them with full confidence, flicking their hair and their hands, while the rest of us just watched. I didn’t get it. I was too busy nibbling on my nails because of anxiety. At some point, a cousin from abroad gifted me a shiny pack of press-ons: glossy, pointy, very adult. But I thanked her politely, shoved them into a drawer, and never looked back.

It wasn’t that I didn’t care about nails; I just didn’t see where press-ons fit in. Then the late 2010s hit, and acrylics took over. Salons became temples. Nail techs spoke in tongues—chrome powder, baby ombré, cat eye, milk bath—and we all nodded along like we understood. If you dared to get extensions, you were basically signing over your weekend and half your bank balance. Add to that the stress of picking a design you’d regret two days later and being stuck with it for the next three weeks. But we still did it. Because beauty is pain. And maybe because we liked feeling put together even when everything else was a mess.

I used to think I could live without nails. Now I know I can't. They’re non-negotiable. But what’s changed is how I wear them. I discovered press-ons embarrassingly late in life, and I say “discovered” like I didn’t have them gathering dust in my childhood drawer for years. But once I actually tried them, I realised they were exactly what I needed: quick, low-commitment, and weirdly satisfying to apply. I’ve gone from ignoring them to building a stash that could rival my lipstick collection. One for every mood, moment, and last-minute plan.

And just like that, press-on nails are back. Only this time, they’re slicker, stronger, and have the internet’s attention. “We wanted nails to feel like an accessory, not a chore,” says Simran Mittal, founder of Quickk Tips. “You change your outfit depending on where you’re going, so why should your nails be stuck in one look for three weeks?”

It’s the exact kind of shift that got Nailin It off the ground. Founders Tanishq Ambegaokar and Shubham Singhal saw the potential early on. “The category lacked innovation in design and application—everything felt cheap or dated,” says Singhal. “There was clearly a growing demand for nail art without the salon time or salon prices.”

Now, it’s no longer about hiding chipped polish with a Band-Aid or planning your salon appointments around payday. The new age of press-ons offers designs that look expensive, in shapes that don’t make you feel like Edward Scissorhands. From soft pastels and French tips to chromes, velvets, and pop art, the designs have range. And so do the wearers. Press-ons today aren’t reserved for special occasions or beauty influencers. “Our customers are college students, professionals, even new moms who don’t have time for gels but still want to feel put together,” says Singhal.

More importantly, there’s a shift in how nails are seen, not just as vanity but as something that makes people feel and look ready. “You know how perfume makes you feel like yourself again?” Tanishq says. “That’s what a good set of nails does now.”

And if you think it’s all plastic, peel, repeat, it’s not. Quality has changed. So has packaging, glue technology, and longevity. “We’ve had people message us after wearing a set for ten days straight and still going strong,” says Simran.

It’s also about design. Today’s press-ons cover everything from French tips and neutrals to trending 3D finishes and even custom bridal sets. Consumers are also paying more attention to shape, with squoval, almond, and ballerina emerging as favourites. And while classics still rule, unexpected hits like cat eye nails show where the trend is headed.

“We’re constantly testing what works in real life,” says Shubham. “A design might look stunning in photos, but if it’s not wearable—if it snags on clothes or feels bulky—we tweak it. We want designs that live with you, not just for the ’gram.”

If you’re still on the fence, let Tanishq reassure you: “Press-ons used to be seen as a shortcut or something unserious. But now? They're just smart. They give you freedom. And freedom is always in style.”

So if you’ve ever stared at your bare nails and sighed at the thought of another two-hour appointment, it might be time to join the press-on renaissance. Drawer-hiding days are officially over.

Featured image credit: Pexels 

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