Is nail glue remover safe for luxury press-on nails?
When it comes to removing press-ons, I’m usually team warm soak—but curiosity got the better of me.
I’ve always wondered: can a nail glue remover (especially one that’s acetone-free) get the job done without ruining the press-ons themselves? I tested the Makartt nail glue remover, since I already use their liquid glue—so it felt like a natural match.
In the image, the nail on the left shows a normal press-on. The nail on the right shows what happened after using the nail glue remover.
The test
I used two fresh, never-worn press-ons from one of my custom sets. I skipped applying liquid nail glue to see how the remover would act on the press-on nail itself. I then followed the instructions:
Applied the remover underneath the nail and around the cuticle area
Let it sit for a few seconds
Added more remover
Waited again
Within a minute, I noticed the nail softening and warping. I left it alone to mimic a scenario where a press-on is removed but not cleaned.
By the 2-minute mark, the damage was as I expected and undeniable. The nail had turned rubbery and almost gooey inside. Even after wiping it down, it stayed tacky and flimsy and was in no condition to be reused. The residue even transferred to my skin, so I had to wash it off quickly to avoid potential irritation.
So… what happened?
Even though this remover is marketed as acetone-free and gentle on natural nails, it was not gentle on the press-on itself. The remover may have broke down the glue—yes—but it also broke down the nail tip along with it.
This was a brand-new luxury press-on nail, and it couldn’t be salvaged after a single use of the remover.
Final thoughts
If you wear custom, luxury press-ons, I wouldn’t recommend this method unless it’s your final wear and you’re okay parting with the set. It works for dissolving glue, but it can also eat away at the press-ons.
Instead, stick with the classic warm soak (a bit of soap and oil in warm water). It takes longer, but it’s much safer for both your natural nails and your press-ons—especially if you plan to reuse them.