CNS Nail Veneers: Press-on or Prosthetic?

Custom Nail Solutions is a small Texas-based company offering a new nail product that is truly one of a kind: custom fit press-on nails that are reusable, virtually indestructible, and guaranteed for life. The nails are made out of acetone-proof thermo-plastic, come in various lengths and styles and can be painted with regular nail polish. They start by mailing you an impression kit which contains mold material and 10 finger trays. You follow along with an instructional DVD to take imprints of each nail. Once you mail them back, they'll send you a maintenance kit within 1-2 weeks with your custom fit press-on nails!

Overall, I was really happy with the wear I got out of them. You glue them on with the provided gel adhesive and they can be applied for short term or long term wear. You're supposed to be able to keep them on for up to 2 weeks, until the regrowth line becomes too noticeable, but two of mine popped off in a few days. To be fair, I was seriously abusing them when they popped off. The glue was actually one of the strongest ones I've tried, and you wouldn't want it to be any stronger. Under extreme force, the nail should pop off, otherwise it would potentially tear your real nail. It's why the FDA banned MMA, a liquid monomer used for acrylic nails, in the 1970’s. They created really tough nails that were almost impossible to take off, leading to lots of injuries.

With these, removal was fairly simple: I just soaked them in acetone in the ultrasonic, temperature controlled removal machine. The ultrasonic machine is a $140 add on, but frankly, it would be just as easy if you filled your manicure bowl (included with the maintenance kit) with acetone and placed that in a larger bowl of hot water, which is what many salons do.

My only real gripe was the size. The nails were quite thick and looked like acrylics when they were on. Of course this is a general issue I have with all fake nails because my natural nails are just huge. Still, for anyone with normal sized nails, this is definitely a fun, worthwhile investment. Kits start at $139 and even if you only keep them around for special occasions, it would be worth it. Application only takes about 10 minutes and they fit like a dream. You can finish them with a layer of one of three tinted top coats (included), or you can just paint them with any of your favorite polishes. You could also use the display stand to try more elaborate nail art designs that you wouldn't otherwise be able to paint on your real nails!

-Diana, Intern