Nail Care Guide

Every set we send out has been shaped, painted and finished by hand. The flowers, pearls and little charms on your nails were placed one at a time. With a bit of care, one set can go with you to brunch, a wedding, a holiday and back again.

Here is everything we've learned about keeping your nails looking their best, from the day you open the box to the day you wear them again.

What's in your box

• 10 handmade nails in your size
• 2 sheets of adhesive tabs (48 tabs), enough for more than one wear
• A nail file
• A wooden cuticle stick
• A prep pad

Keep the box. It's the best place to store your set between wears.

Before you apply

A good hold starts with clean, dry nails. Most nails that pop off early do so because of oil or water left on the nail, not because of the tab.

1. Lay out your set. Match a nail to each finger before you peel anything. If one sits between two sizes, choose the smaller one. It will look more natural and hold better.
2. Push back your cuticles with the wooden stick.
3. Lightly buff the surface of your natural nail with the file. You only want to take the shine off.
4. Wipe each nail with the prep pad and let it dry for a few seconds. Try not to touch your face or hair after this step.

Skip hand cream and long showers right before applying. Do them after.

Applying your nails

1. Peel an adhesive tab from the sheet and press it onto your natural nail (or the back of the press-on, whichever you find easier).
2. Peel off the clear top film.
3. Start at the cuticle and angle the press-on down onto your nail, so no air is trapped underneath.
4. Press and hold firmly for 20 to 30 seconds. Press the sides as well as the centre.
5. Repeat for each finger.

Keep your hands out of water for the next 2 hours. The tabs keep bonding during this time, and this is the single biggest difference to how long your set lasts.

Wearing them every day

How long your set lasts depends on how you apply it. Follow the prep and application steps above and it can last up to 3–4 weeks. Skip them and it may only last a few days to a week, so the preparation really matters.

• Use the pads of your fingers, not your nails, to open cans, peel labels or press buttons.
• Wear gloves for washing up and cleaning. Hot water and cleaning products soften the adhesive.
• Be gentle with the 3D details. Flowers, bows and charms are sculpted and set by hand. They're secure, but they don't like being caught on knitwear, hair or bag zips.
• Keep them away from strong heat such as hair straighteners, curling tongs and saunas.
• Avoid acetone and nail polish remover while wearing them. It dulls the finish and can lift the decoration.

If one nail lifts, don't press it back down over the old tab. Remove it, clean the nail and the back of the press-on, and apply a fresh tab.

Taking them off

Please never pull or rip your nails off. It can damage your natural nail, and it can break the press-on too.

1. Soak your fingertips in warm, soapy water for 5 to 10 minutes. A few drops of cuticle oil in the water helps.
2. Slide the wooden stick gently under the side of the nail and lift slowly. If you feel resistance, soak for a few more minutes.
3. Once all ten are off, peel away any tab left on your nails or the press-ons.

Wearing them again

1. Rinse each press-on in warm water and dry it with a soft cloth.
2. Rub off any leftover adhesive from the back with your thumb or the stick. Don't use acetone.
3. Let them dry completely.
4. Put them back in the box in the same finger order so the next wear takes two minutes.

When you're ready to wear them again, start from Before you apply with fresh tabs. Treated this way, most of our sets can be worn several times.

Storing your set

• Keep them flat in their box, away from direct sunlight and heat.
• Don't stack anything heavy on top. The 3D details need a little space.
• If you're building a collection, label each box with the design name and your sizes.

Looking after your natural nails

• Give your nails a day or two to breathe between wears.
• Massage in cuticle oil or a little hand cream after removal.
• If your nails feel sore or sensitive, take a break before your next set.

Something not right?

If a nail doesn't fit, a detail comes loose or you're not sure which size to use, we'd love to help. Send us a message through our contact page or email jian@youareangel.shop with a photo, and we'll get back to you within 24 hours.

Not sure about your size yet? Our Size Guide takes about two minutes.

Thank you for choosing a set made by hand. Wear it well, angel.