Everything you need to know

No appointments. No harsh salon removal. Just beautiful nails on your terms.How to get the most out of your set.

Step one

Prep is everything

Push back your cuticles with the pusher in your kit.
Buff the surface of your natural nails lightly.
Wipe each nail with the alcohol wipe from your kit or a little acetone on a cotton pad. This strips the oils.
Don't touch your nails after this. The oils on your fingertips will undo it. If you do, wipe again.

If you have naturally oily nail beds, this step matters even more.

Step two

Find your fit

Lay the set out before you glue anything. It's much easier than sizing on the go.

Inside every nail is a small number. That's its size and it always sits at the tip. Never at the cuticle.

Pick the nail that covers your nail bed from sidewall to sidewall without overlapping your skin. If you're between sizes, go up. You can file the edges down, you can't add width back.

Not sure which shape or size is right for you? Every style has a size guide with individual nail measurements on our website, so you can compare them against your natural nails before ordering.

Square-Round styles: it's easy to apply these upside down without realising. The thinner end goes at the base of your nail, the thicker, stronger end at the tip. If you put these on upside down, they won't sit flush to your cuticle and the tip will be too weak to withstand everyday wear.

Step three

How long do you want them on?

Three ways to wear your set. The adhesive you choose is what decides how long it lasts.

1–2 days

Adhesive tabs

A sheet comes in every kit. Peel, press onto your natural nail, press the Mani on top.

Good for an event, a weekend or testing your sizing before you commit. They come off cleanly and your Mani is ready to wear again straight away.

5–14 days

Nail glue

Every kit comes with a 2g tube. Our 7g brush-on glue is the same formula, just easier to control and spread evenly.

For 5–7 days: a layer on each natural nail, clear of your skin. Glue spreads when you press down. Let it tack a few seconds, line the Mani up just under your cuticle, press firmly and hold for 30 seconds.

For 7–14 days: the same, but add a layer to the back of your Instant Mani as well.

3+ weeks

Instant Bond

Our strongest glue. Apply it to the inside of your Instant Mani or to your natural nail. Either works.

Slide the Mani across your nail so the glue spreads evenly underneath, press down and hold for 15 seconds. Wipe away any excess before it dries.

For easy, gentle removal, we recommend pairing Instant Bond with our Press-on Nail Remover.

Start at your pinky and work towards your thumb. Easier angle, every time.

Step four

Make them last

Stay out of water for an hour. No washing up, no showers. The bond needs that time to fully set.
No pressure for an hour either. Pulling on tight leggings or jeans is the classic way to lift a brand-new set.
More glue, longer wear, within reason. Keep it off your skin.
Spilled glue? Wipe it immediately with a cloth, before it sets.

Step five

Taking them off

With our Press-on Nail Remover

Use the nail stick to gently break the glue seal at the sides and open a small gap.
Add 1–2 drops of Remover into the gap, onto the glue rather than just onto the nail.
Wait 5–7 minutes. The remover needs time to dissolve the bond.
Lift the Mani off gently with the stick. If it resists, repeat steps 2 and 3.

Acetone-free, odourless and it won't damage your natural nails.

Don't soak your Instant Mani in Remover. It will damage the nail. A few drops into the gap is all it needs.

Without it

Soak your hands in warm soapy water with a little oil. Cuticle, olive, coconut, whatever oil you have. Work gently at the edges until the seal gives.

Step six

Wearing them again

Buff the old glue off the back of each nail with the file from your kit. An old toothbrush works well on stubborn bits as well.
If any glue residue ends up on the surface of the nail and dulls the shine, a few drops of Remover on a tissue will bring it back.

Frequently asked

How long will a set actually last?

Anywhere from a day to three weeks, depending entirely on which adhesive you use and how well you prep. Tabs for 1–2 days, glue for 5–14, Instant Bond for 3+ weeks.

Will they damage my natural nails?

Instant Manis are designed to be gentle on your natural nails. The key is proper application and removal.

Can I shower, swim, wash up?

Yes, just make sure to avoid getting your hands wet for the first hour after application to allow the glue to set fully.

What if they don't fit?

Check the number inside each nail and lay the set out before you glue. If a nail is slightly wide you can file the sides; if it's slightly long you can file the tip or cut it back.

One popped off. Now what?

Buff the old glue off the back, re-prep that nail and stick it back on. That's it.

Can I use cuticle oil with them on?

Yes, once the glue has fully dried. Give it a couple of hours. Bear in mind the oil can't reach the nail bed under the Mani, so it'll be conditioning your cuticles and the base of the nail rather than the whole thing.

Can I cut or reshape them?

Yes. File the tip or the sidewalls to suit you. Most of our sets can be taken shorter if the length isn't for you.

Do I have to use your glue?

No, but the 2g tube in your kit is small on purpose. It's enough to get you started. The brush-on is easier to apply evenly and Instant Bond is the one to reach for if you want a set to last weeks.