If looking for maximalism, this trend nails it.
Manicures have been a hot topic for as long as anyone can remember, with changing trends like the resurgence of the French tip, red-nail theory, soap nails and more. However, should you not have the length to play with or the time to spend in a salon, there is another polished solution.
Press-on nails have been a tried and true fashion hack, best used by folks who like to switch up their manicure more often than gel or acrylics allow or for those that love the ability to skip the salon and DIY a mani at home.
In 2025, press-ons have totally changed shape, and we don’t just mean from square tips to oval. Used like tiny canvases, intricate and super realistic nail art has taken over the social scene as a few top nail artists will explain.
Dian Amani Tushner, also known as simply “Amani” to the nail community, reigns as one of these nail art stars in Queens, New York, offering press-on sets made for the spotlight. She started her Amanicured Queen business during COVID, after getting inspired by other artists, and now has over 16K followers of her own.
These Taco Bell nails are some of Tushner’s favorites, and to note, the Crunchwrap on the center nail actually spins!
Dian Amani Tushner
“During COVID, I was still working as a full-time nanny. But because I was full-time, I was so exhausted that I couldn’t do my nails since it took hours, as I was doing gel X on my nails,” Tushner explained. “I discovered Chloe, and she was selling ‘luxury press-ons’ and at this point I knew what press-ons were, but I never liked them because of how flimsy and low quality they were. So seeing ‘luxury press-ons’ I was intrigued and I looked at what she did and was amazed.”
After this discovery, Tushner took a class that Chloe Pascarella of by.chloenails offered on how to turn press-on’s into a business, started her own LLC in 2022 and now has clients from all over the world including Malaysia, New Zealand, Italy, London and Canada.
On the other side of the country, Jennifer Dolnick from Orange County, California is the owner and artist at Queen Custom Claws, officially starting her press-on business in 2017 when the industry was just emerging. Now, in 2025, Dolnick has just under 20K followers on her Instagram and has been featured on the fingers of some pretty famous folks.
“When my daughters were old enough, I wanted to start a business of my own. I hoped for something that would allow me to still continue to be home, but also offered me a flexible schedule, doing something I love,” said Dolnick. “Because I was not licensed, I knew I couldn’t practice directly on people. However, I could apply my skills to press-on nails—I could sell my press on-nails like art.”
Nails as an art form
Custom nails by Dolnick feature “Alice in Wonderland” imagery that are truly beyond this world and down the rabbit hole!
Jennifer Dolnick
Speaking of art, these nails are not just your typical tips and go even farther than chrome or gemstones. They typically take multiple hours and involve tiny brushes and itty bitty details that make the nails just as detailed and unique as a painting in a museum.
“I like to create original art and original designs rather than ‘cut copy and paste’ from a Pinterest or Instagram photo. And in this way, I can compare nail art to art,” said Dolnick. “As nail artists, we really pride ourselves on coming up with original ideas, solving an artistic question or innovating and artistic technique. In the same way that artistic integrity exists within fashion, film, music, art and writing, so too does it exist in the nail industry. Being a nail artist is exactly that—it’s not just the technical ability of being an artist, but it is the ability to be creative and design and innovate techniques.”
These sparkly press-ons feature many nail art tactics like stones, 3D art and chrome glitter.
Dian Amani Tushner
This is evident in some of the designs from both artists, as they have to solve the problem of having a super challenging and detailed design, but only so much space to accomplish it, not to mention the shape and curvature that a nail needs that traditional canvases don’t.
“If you think about it hard enough and squint, I like to believe that I am Picasso painting on a canvas that is about 50-times smaller,” said Tushner. “I have a conspiracy theory that Banksy is in this nail industry…correct me never!”
Press-on popularity in 2025 and beyond
As with any beauty trend, there are ebbs and flows when it comes to manicure trends, many of which are dictated by societal and cultural shifts and also celebrities and media.
During COVID when salons were closed, many turned to DIY kits and press-on nails to satisfy their beauty routines from home. This is also when Tushner started her business and Dolnick’s had a boost in sales, noting that 2020 and 2021 were some of her busiest years.
According to a Grand View Research market report, “The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this trend, pushing consumers to seek DIY beauty solutions. Improved product quality, including better adhesives and more realistic designs, has addressed previous concerns about durability and appearance.”
It then went on to forecast that the industry is expected to keep on growing, from $696 million in 2023 to over $1,000 million in 2030.
Celebrating her New York roots, these Liberty nails represent the Brooklyn-based basketball team.
Dian Amani Tushner
“Another factor which I think helped popularize custom press-on nails, is the fashion industry and media,” said Dolnick. “Fashion became more focused on nails and nail styles in general. We saw many of our music, fashion and movie icons wearing press-on nails to important events. With the growth of Instagram and Pinterest, these visual feeds further helped popularize makeup and nail designs.”
Dolnick has even had her nails worn by the stars, like Kiki Palmer seen here and on national television shows such as “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” HBO’s “Legendary” and NBC’s “Password” to name a few.
Drag queens Gigi Gorgeous and Gottmik wearing Queen Custom Claws nails that also can hold a cigarette.
@queencustomclaws via Instagram
Lastly, simply the ease of a press-on at home combined with not having to find an artist in your town who can create a very specific vision is why Tushner also thinks press-ons are here to stay.
“Not everyone has the luxury of sitting there and having your nails done and some people just cannot sit still, so press-ons really are the answer,” she said. “Also the art you get with press-on nails are way more intricate in my humblest opinion—there obviously are many great in-person nail techs who do phenomenal art within fair time, yes, but the market is so huge. I have clients who live in Hawaii who can’t find a nail tech to do what they want, so it’s just easier to order press-ons and do your own manicure at home.”
How to best wear and care for luxury press-ons
Should you be inspired by the press-on world but still nervous for how to actually execute them at home, the experts have some tips for how to apply and care for your tips.
“Proper prep and application is key,” said Tushner. “You’ll get so tired of press-on artists saying this, but prepping your nails is so important for longevity and I always remind my clients to read and watch my videos on how to apply.”
Noting that it typically takes her clients about three tries to get it perfect, there are many resources on the internet for the best glue, buffer blocks and supplies to stock up on, as well as walk-through videos showing exactly how to best apply them.
From crazy and long to feminine and short, press-ons can achieve whatever look you are going for.
Jennifer Dolnick
To have the best shot at the longest wear, Dolnick also recommends really thinking about your lifestyle and choosing a style to match.
“If you are very active with your hands, you may not be able to wear super long nails or nails with a lot of 3-D elements if they’re going to be bumped and knocked around,” said Dolnick.
Other tips include making sure nails are completely dry before application, being patient during the removal process as to not damage you natural nail, soaking nails in warm water to loosen the glue first and using oils and solvents to help break down the glue.
The last tip is one for your wallet, as if properly cared for, one set of press-ons can last multiple wears.
“After removing your press-on nails, always clean them and then place them back in the box or on the nail card they were received in,” said Dolnick. “Some people like to create a nail book and collect rows and rows of nails in their nail binder.”
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