Between the dress, the shoes, the hair and the lift there and back, nails tend to be the last thing anyone thinks about for a Year 12 formal. Then it's the night before, the dress is hanging on the door, and you realise your hands haven't been sorted. Good news: this is one of the easiest parts of the night to get right, and you don't need a salon booking to do it.
Here's how we'd plan your formal nails, plus a few looks that suit different dresses.
First, when is your formal?
Formals are set by each school, so there's no single date. Some schools hold theirs in February or March, others mid year, and plenty wait until near the end of Year 12. Some Western Australian schools call it the ball, but it's the same night with the same nail worries.
Whatever your date is, plan backwards from it:
- Four weeks or more out: choose your set and order it, so there's time to try them on before the night.
- One week out: do a practice application, so nothing on the night is new to you.
- The day before or the day of: shower first, then put them on properly and keep your hands out of water for the next two to four hours while you get on with hair and makeup.
Delivery to Australia takes about 7 business days, and there are no import charges to pay when the parcel arrives. Ordering a month ahead leaves room for a practice run, and for a size swap if you need one, because an exchange means the set travels back to us first.
Why press-ons suit school life
Many schools have rules about nails during term, and uniform policies often rule out long, coloured or false nails. That's fair enough on an ordinary Tuesday, but it makes a salon set tricky, because you'd be wearing it for weeks.
Press-on nails fit neatly around that. You wear them for the formal, then take them off before you're back in uniform, without damaging your natural nails. If you're not sure what your own school allows, ask the office or check the student handbook first.
There's a practical side too. Salon formal packages can book out early, and they cost a fair amount once hair, makeup and tan are added. Press-ons let you do your nails at home, or with friends while you're all getting ready together, which is half the fun of formal day.
Choosing a look to match your dress
The simplest rule is to either match your nails to your dress colour or keep them neutral and let the dress do the talking. Both work.
Bold or heavily detailed dress: go soft. Cameo Nude and Vincent's Blossom are everyday soft nudes that sit quietly next to sequins or a strong colour. Prosecco is a champagne coloured nude with a warm glow, lovely with gold, ivory and black. If you want something more polished, French tips are always safe, and Classic French is a soft pink base with a crisp white tip.
Dark or simple dress: this is where colour looks great. Cherry Crush is a deep glossy cherry red, and Royal Orchid is a rich red purple with the depth of bordeaux. Both suit black, emerald or navy.
Something with shimmer: cat-eye nails catch the light when you move your hands, which is handy for photos. Golden Mandarin is a mandarin red with a golden cat-eye glow. Lagoon Escape is a cool lagoon blue with a mirror-like chrome shine, and it works with a blue, silver or white dress. If you'd rather have sparkle, browse the glitter nails. Dew Splash is a lilac blue with fine glitter in the gel.
Can't decide? Look through all our handmade press-on nails and put your top three next to a photo of your dress. You'll usually know within a minute.
Shape and length
Every set comes in Round, Oval Short, Square Short and Oval Long. Shorter, rounded shapes are comfortable if you'll be dancing and holding a phone for photos all night. For a dressier look, Oval Long gives that longer, elegant line. Not sure? Think about how you use your hands. If you're always digging in a school bag, start short.
Getting the size right
Each set has 10 nails plus 5 spares in your size (XS, S, M or L). Measure each nail at its widest point in millimetres, and if you land between two sizes, take the larger one. Our size guide walks you through it.
Still unsure? The Beginnerset Reflected is a good pick. It's a nude with a chrome shine, and the box holds 30 nails in sizes S, M and L, so you can find your fit without guessing.
If you do get it wrong, it's fixable. An unused set can be exchanged for the right size within 14 days. You pay the postage to send it back to us. Details are on our delivery and exchanges page.
Putting them on, step by step
Every box includes 150 adhesive tabs, a nail file, a cuticle pusher and 5 alcohol wipes. Application takes about ten minutes.
- Start with clean, dry hands, and skip the hand cream beforehand, because it stops the tabs from sticking.
- Push your cuticles back gently with the cuticle pusher. Your own nails don't need roughening or filing: clean, oil-free nails are what make the tabs stick.
- Wipe each nail with an alcohol wipe.
- Stick an adhesive tab on your own nail, place the press-on on top, starting at the cuticle, and press. Hold each nail for 15 to 30 seconds.
- Keep your hands out of water for the first two to four hours, so the tabs can settle.
- Check them all once, then save the hand cream for after the night.
Pop two spare tabs in your clutch. If a nail lifts, put a fresh tab on your own nail and press the press-on back down; it takes about a minute. Do your nails tend to come loose quickly? Next time, take the shine off very lightly with the soft side of the file before you start, without scrubbing.
After the formal
Take them off gently with warm soapy water. No acetone, no drill and no lamp needed. The nails are reusable, so the same set can come out again for the after party, a wedding or schoolies. For something more festive later on, our party nails are worth a look. Wear time is 1 to 2 weeks, about 10 days on average, and our guide covers how long press-on nails last in more detail.
Quick answers
How early should I order?
About a month before your formal is ideal. Delivery takes about 7 business days, and the extra time lets you do a practice run. If you're unsure of your size, the Beginnerset Reflected takes the guesswork out.
Will they last all night and the after party?
They're made to be worn for 1 to 2 weeks, so one big evening is well within that. Prep with the alcohol wipe, press each nail for 15 to 30 seconds, keep your hands dry for the first two to four hours, skip the hand cream first, and keep two spare tabs in your clutch just in case.
Can I take them off before school on Monday?
Yes. They come off gently with warm soapy water, with no acetone, no drill and no lamp, and your natural nails stay undamaged underneath. Keep the set for the next occasion.
What if the size is wrong?
Don't stress. An unused set can be exchanged within 14 days. You pay the postage to send it back to us, and a swap takes a little time, which is another reason to order early.
Whatever look you choose, the aim is that you forget about your nails and enjoy the night. Have a wonderful formal.
