Oprah's 'Favorite' Press-On Nails Are So Easy to Use — and They've Saved Me Thousands on Salon Visits

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo:People / Oprah / Getty

People / Oprah / Getty

While there aremore than 100 fashion, home, and beauty giftson her latest List, Oprah selectedthese nails that PEOPLE Tested(and I use regularly) as one of her beauty recommendations. As someone who loves long nails and fun designs, yet doesn’t have the type of money to yell “you get a car!” ever, those pricey salon visits are out of the question. To cut costs, I apply fake nails almost weekly, and press-ons like have saved me more than a thousand dollars in the eight years that I’ve done my own nails.

Chillhouse Chill Tips Oprah Bundle Press-On Nails KitPHOTO: Amazon$48 at Amazon

Chillhouse Chill Tips Oprah Bundle Press-On Nails Kit

PHOTO: Amazon

$48 at Amazon

“I’ve asked so many people recently, ‘Oh, where did you get your nails done?’ They laugh and say, ‘They’re press-on!’,” the mogul wrote onOprah Daily. “We’ve curated this set with subtle designs and a few solids for old-school folks like me.”

While asingle-pack of signature Chill Tipsis only $16 at Amazon, Oprah’s preferred sets come in a special bundle. It includes a festive, almond-shaped red (“She’s on Holiday”), a medium-length, pale-pink square with white accents (“Window Seat”), and a semi-sheer rounded shape with abstract white lines (“Pirouette”).

At a GlanceDamage-Free:Yes |Waterproof:Yes |Reusable:Yes |Customizable:Yes, 24 nail sizes to find the right fit |Finish:Some matte, some glossy |Adhesive:Glue |Included:Dual-sided buffer, cuticle stick, nail glue

At a Glance

Damage-Free:Yes |Waterproof:Yes |Reusable:Yes |Customizable:Yes, 24 nail sizes to find the right fit |Finish:Some matte, some glossy |Adhesive:Glue |Included:Dual-sided buffer, cuticle stick, nail glue

Chill Tips come in more than 60 designs, includingtrendy textures with two-tone shiftstomodern French manicures, and can be separated into categories likeoval,square,almond. With so many options, you can nab several designs for the price of one salon visit. And when you decide to switch them out, you can store your discarded nails for future use, as they’re designed to be reusable. How’s that for being cost-efficient and eco-conscious?

Testing Chillhouse Chill Tips

People / Alyssa Brascia

How to Apply Chillhouse Chill Tips

The first (albeit, not mandatory) step is to massage my cuticles with a bit of oil before gently pushing them back, which elongates my nail bed and makes for prettier application. Then, I lightly buff the surface of my natural nails with the included nail file to give the glue something to grip onto.

The instructions call for a light layer of glue (also included) inside the press-on nail and a generous layer on the natural nail. I allow the glue to activate for three seconds and then press the nails firmly onto my natural nail, keeping equal pressure at the center to minimize the chance of air bubbles (which can make your nails lift prematurely).

In the end, it only takes about 15 minutes to apply a set of ten nails.

How Long Do Chillhouse Press-Ons Last?The brand claims that you can get more than 21 days out of these nails, but after testing them, I’d say that those days are not consecutive. I typically can getseven to 10 daysout of these nails, but can save them for re-use afterward.

How Long Do Chillhouse Press-Ons Last?

The brand claims that you can get more than 21 days out of these nails, but after testing them, I’d say that those days are not consecutive. I typically can getseven to 10 daysout of these nails, but can save them for re-use afterward.

The Results

No matter the shape of the nails I’ve chosen, Chill Tips have always felt fairly sturdy. Each nail has a medium-thick tip that tapers towards the base, which gives the press-on a realistic curve and allows it to sit flush against my natural nail.

The glue holds up just as much as my go-to,Kiss Powerflex Maximum Speed, which dries in seconds and has superior strength compared to glues included in other brands’ kits. Despite hand-washing, hot showers, and other activities that gradually loosen glue, it typically takes about a week before I start to lose a nail here and there (which I, admittedly, glue right back on).

Are Chillhouse nails reusable?After using Chill Tips I agree with the brand’s recommendation of letting them fall off on their own to avoid damaging your nails and the press-ons, if you wish to re-use them. You also might have to give them an extra soak to remove any glue remnants (Chillhouse recommendsusing warm water with a bit of dish soap or olive oil), but overall, Chillhouse press-on nails are reusable.

Are Chillhouse nails reusable?

After using Chill Tips I agree with the brand’s recommendation of letting them fall off on their own to avoid damaging your nails and the press-ons, if you wish to re-use them. You also might have to give them an extra soak to remove any glue remnants (Chillhouse recommendsusing warm water with a bit of dish soap or olive oil), but overall, Chillhouse press-on nails are reusable.

Who It’s Good For

Chill Tips are a great option for anyone who wants a professional-looking manicure in a pinch — and at a fraction of the price. They’re easy to pick up at most large retailers and you can also order themwith Prime on Amazonfor speedy delivery.

The HighlightsQuick-fix manicureBudget-friendlyModerate wear time

The Highlights

Quick-fix manicureBudget-friendlyModerate wear time

Who It’s Not Good For

It’s worth mentioning that while these are cheaper than a salon visit, they’ll require more frequent applications than your typical acrylic or dip set, which can last for more than a month, whereas these nails will fall off after about seven to ten days.

The DrawbacksLess longevityThinner than acrylics

The Drawbacks

Less longevityThinner than acrylics

What to Look For When Buying Press-on Nails

Shape

Nails are an extension of your style, with shape, length, and design all being factors in the final kind you choose. While length is pretty cut and dry (short, medium, and long), there are a few key terms to keep in mind when selecting your perfect shape.

Shapes of Press-On Nails to Know:Square:Completely flat tips with defined cornersRound:A soft-sculpted, curved tip that mirrors the base of the nailOval:A longer, rounded shape that does not reach a point at the centerSquoval:Almost square shaped, but with curved edges that soften the look (like thisPEOPLE Tested Olive and June set)Almond:An elongated oval shape that tapers to a soft point at the top, like Oprah’s pick “She’s on Holiday”Coffin/Ballerina:A long nail that comes to a tapered rectangle shape towards the tip (see:Kiss’s Silk Dress Nails)

Shapes of Press-On Nails to Know:

Square:Completely flat tips with defined cornersRound:A soft-sculpted, curved tip that mirrors the base of the nailOval:A longer, rounded shape that does not reach a point at the centerSquoval:Almost square shaped, but with curved edges that soften the look (like thisPEOPLE Tested Olive and June set)Almond:An elongated oval shape that tapers to a soft point at the top, like Oprah’s pick “She’s on Holiday”Coffin/Ballerina:A long nail that comes to a tapered rectangle shape towards the tip (see:Kiss’s Silk Dress Nails)

Durability

Let’s face it, press-ons are a temporary substitute for the pricey nails that you can get at a salon. However, that doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t have staying power. Press-ons can vary from sticker-backed to glueable: stickers offering far less wear time (a single-day solution) and glue-ons lasting for more thana week if applied properly and treated with care.

In fact, one of our former editors wore Chill Tips on a two-week vacation with no complaints, which earned the fake nails a spot in our roundup of the best press-on nails of 2024.

Finish

Since press-ons don’t require the purgatory of drying paint, it’s easier to get creative with the finishes of your manicure (and far better than waiting for a complicated texture to dry).

Finishes to Try:

Other Press-On Nails To Consider

Glamnetic Press-On Nails$15 at AmazonStatic Nails Reusable Pop-On Manicure$18 at Amazon$18 at UltaView on Staticnails.comKiss Nails Bare But Better Press On Nails$9$7 at Amazon$9 at Walmart$9 at UltaNail Reformation Press-On NailsView on Nailreformation.com

Glamnetic Press-On Nails$15 at Amazon

Glamnetic Press-On Nails

$15 at Amazon

Static Nails Reusable Pop-On Manicure$18 at Amazon$18 at UltaView on Staticnails.com

Static Nails Reusable Pop-On Manicure

$18 at Amazon$18 at UltaView on Staticnails.com

Kiss Nails Bare But Better Press On Nails$9$7 at Amazon$9 at Walmart$9 at Ulta

Kiss Nails Bare But Better Press On Nails

$9$7 at Amazon$9 at Walmart$9 at Ulta

Nail Reformation Press-On NailsView on Nailreformation.com

Nail Reformation Press-On Nails

View on Nailreformation.com

People / Tamara Staples

Are Chillhouse’s Chill Tips Worth it?

Yes, the Chill Tips are absolutely worth it for the quick (and cute!) solution they offer for bare nails, time crunches, and trendy, affordable designs. They also last for seven to 10 days, which is when I want to switch up my look, anyway.

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source: people.com