For the past few years, I’ve seen press on nails or glue on nails pop up everywhere! Press on nails are a much more affordable and time saving option to going to the nail salon.
Being a former professional cheerleader, I always used the Kiss Press On Nails (also because Kiss was a sponsor for one team I was on, so I collected quite a few boxes.) The Kiss brand worked fine however, I always struggled to find nails to fit my tiny hands properly.
The Kiss “petite” length worked the best however, the glue version only came in French and the “Impress” version always managed to get my hair caught in them (since they didn’t fit perfectly.)
I am SOOOO happy to discover a brand that works for my tiny hands and they LAST!
My favorite press on nails or glue on nails brand that works the best for my small hands is Red Aspen Nails!
In this post, I’ll cover…
- Is Red Aspen Toxin Free?
- Why I prefer Red Aspen over Kiss.
- What is the best brand of press on nails for small hands and small nail beds?
- How long do Red Aspen Nails last?
- Are Red Aspen Nails actually reusable?
- How to apply Red Aspen Nail Dashes.
- How to remove Red Aspen Nail Dashes.
- Where can I buy Red Aspen Nail Dashes?
Is Red Aspen Toxin Free?
This is a Toxin Free living blog, so I wouldn’t rave about a product that is toxic! Luckily, nail glue isn’t particularly toxic! It’s actually cleaner than a lot of those 7-free or 10-free nail polishes! Yay!
Red Aspen Nail Glue only has 2 ingredients: Ethyl Cyanoacrylate, Polymethyl Methacrylate
Kiss PowerFlex Nail Glue has 4 ingredients: Ethyl Cyanoacrylate, Triacetin, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Bha
Kiss Adhesive Ingredients (On Impress Nails): Acrylic Acid, Ethylhexyl Acrylate, Hydroxycyclohexyl Phenyl Ketone
The Ethyl Cyanoacrylate in the Red Aspen Nail Glue and Kiss Nail Glue is rated a 3 on EWG. This ingredient can cause skin irritation. This ingredient is also in super glue which is what makes the nails stay on. (Obviously if you get super glue on your skin, it’s irritating!)
The only ingredient I’m really concerned about is the BHA in the Kiss Nail Glue.
BHA is rated a 5 on EWG. According to the National Institutes of Health, BHA is “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.” I’d stay far away from this one!
So Why Do I Prefer Red Aspen Nail Dashes over Kiss Press On Nails?
The number one reason why I prefer Red Aspen over Kiss is because THEY ACTUALLY FIT! I have small hands and small nails and my nails curve slightly front to back and side to side. With nails that curve both directions, it’s extremely hard to get a fit that doesn’t start lifting.
My Red Aspen nails last me a full 2 weeks and I haven’t lost a nail yet! I’ve definitely lost Kiss nails and I even had one just break in half completely on day 4. I am rough on my hands so I really don’t expect nails to last me super long, but I’d at least expect them to pop off, not break in half.
I have had the BEST luck with the fit of Red Aspen Nails. If you have small hands or small nail beds, Red Aspen is the brand to go with because they come in so many sizes and lengths! I wear the “short” length, but if you have even smaller nail beds, they also come in a petite length. If you prefer longer nails, they have a medium and long length too! There are so many sizes which I love!
What Is The Best Brand Of Press On Nails For Small Hands And Small Nail Beds?
Like I mentioned above, Red Aspen definitely fits my tiny hands and small nails the best! The Kiss Petite length is also a great option for small hands and nails! What I don’t like about Kiss is they only make the glue-on version in French. Don’t get me wrong, I love a nice French manicure, but it’s nice to switch it up too!
I have seen the Kiss “Impress” Nails in a few different colors in the petite length too and I have worn the “short” length and just cut them down. I just don’t like the adhesive backing on the nail. It’s always way too long so it sticks out above my nail and collects all kinds of dust, gets stuck in my hair, and doesn’t look very clean. It honestly grosses me out and I end up taking them off after about 3 days. If they work for you, great! They just don’t fit my nails very well so I don’t get my money’s worth out of them, in my opinion.
How Long Do Red Aspen Nails Last?
I have worn Red Aspen Nails multiple times and I always get a full 2 weeks of wear out of them! I do apply them anticipating wearing them the full 2 weeks. I don’t have time to do my nails constantly so gluing these babies on and not worrying about my nails for 2 weeks is such a time saver!
There are instructions on applying them differently for different wear times on the back of the box. Follow the instructions with how long you’re planning on wearing them. If you are planning on wearing them for one occasion and being able to reuse them later, I’d recommend the 1-3 day application for clean removal!
Are Red Aspen Nails Actually Reusable?
YES! Personally, since I wear mine for the full 2 weeks and I’m hard on my hands, mine are dinged up and really not in great condition to re-use them. If you apply them to wear them 1-3 days, they are easily removed without ruining your actual nail or the nail dash, so you can save and reapply them (which is also more environmentally friendly than Kiss which are a one time wear.)
How Do I Apply Red Aspen Nail Dashes?
I apply mine to get the full 2 weeks out of them (sometimes longer actually!) I’ve also never lost a nail *knock on wood*. I remove any nail polish or glue on my natural nails, use the blue side of the file in the box and gently buff the surface of my nails. The Red Aspen box says to use the pink side, but I find the blue side works better for me.
Then I wipe my natural nails with rubbing alcohol so there aren’t any oils on the surface of my nails.
I start from my pinkies and work in, apply glue to my natural nail AND the nail dash, press it on my nail and hold it for about 20-30 seconds.
How Do I Remove Red Aspen Nail Dashes?
I follow the instructions in THIS YouTube video. She shows you how to remove the nail dashes with oil! Completely toxin free and gentle removal. It takes me about 30 minutes to remove my nails so I do this method when I’m watching TV at night. Best part? It doesn’t damage your natural nails!
Where Can I Buy Red Aspen Nails?
Red Aspen Nails are available online only. If you want to give them a try, you can purchase through my affiliate link redaspenlove.com/simplysarena, where I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you! I really appreciate the support!
So what is your favorite glue on nails brand? Have you tried Red Aspen Nails before? Or are you a newbie to glue on nails but want to give them a try? Let me know in the comments!
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