Real fashion accessories, false nails are the must-have beauty accessory of the moment. Practical, whimsical and above all easy to apply yourself, you still need to know how to remove them to keep your nails in good health! How do you do it right? We tell you all about it.

They were the dream of every little girl in the 90s and 2000s. Today, they've become the must-have beauty accessory for those same little girls who've grown up! We certainly weren't expecting them, but false nails have been enjoying a resounding revival over the past few seasons. Thought to have been forgotten by the beauty world, false nails have made a memorable comeback! Adored by all, and particularly by the stars who see in them the power to change manicure without wasting time (influencer Léna Mahfouf is a big fan), false nails have established themselves in our daily lives as the beauty revelation of the moment. In short, if you're not already hooked, you'll soon be!

The different types of false nails: gel, capsule and resin

While glue-on false nails were all the rage in the 2000s, today's methods are more extensive and slightly more sophisticated. In addition to the glue-on model, which is still in the top 10 (so practical), there are also different ways of applying what are known as false nails. Nail salons have caught on to the phenomenon, offering several different styles of application:

Gel false nails

This technique is generally performed by a professional in an institute or at home. It involves applying a stretchable gel to the original nail. Once the desired result has been achieved, the gel is cured under a UV/LED lamp (as with semi-permanent nail varnish) and then covered with varnish to embellish it. These false nails can last between 3 and 4 weeks.

False nails in capsules

Unlike gel nails, capsule nails are ready-made capsules that can be glued onto short nails. Available in specialized boutiques and supermarkets, they're the new version of the glue-on false nails we loved when we were kids! Variable in length and shape, some are varnished and decorated, so you can switch up your look at will. Capsule false nails must be used occasionally to avoid the glue and capsule suffocating the nail. However, they do have the advantage of being reusable! They're ideal for a pretty one-off manicure.

How to apply false nails? We tell you everything.

Resin false nails

It's probably the least-used process, as it's rather old-fashioned and its results are now coarser than those of its two competitors! Resin also has the disadvantage of yellowing the nail after application, which is much more damaging than gel or capsules.

How do you carefully remove false nails yourself?

Puisque rien n'est éternel dans la vie, vient un moment où il faut se séparer de ses faux ongles ! Tout comme lorsqu'on enlève du vernis semi-permanent, la dépose des faux ongles permet aux ongles naturels de respirer. D'ailleurs entre chaque pose il vaut mieux se laisser un ou deux mois de respiration afin de permettre aux ongles de se renouveler de manière saine. Si vous avez le temps est les moyens, rien ne vaut une dépose professionnelle en institut ! Toutefois, il est possible de le faire à la maison, toujours dans les règles de l'art afin de ne pas abîmer ses ongles.

Removing false gel nails

Contrary to what you might think, removal of false gel nails is pretty straightforward. While a visit to an institute is recommended for complete removal and thorough cleaning, gel false nails can be removed at home. Using a nail file, simply file off what's left of the length and dilute any gel residue with nail polish remover. Once the slightest residue has been removed, remember to nourish and care for your nails with a greasy oil and finish off with a special nail strengthening treatment.

Removing false nail capsules

Les faux ongles capsules sont faciles à enlever mais demandent de la minutie afin d'éviter les dégâts causés par la colle ! Pour bien enlever ses faux ongles capsules, il est préférable de les couper plutôt court afin d'en faciliter la dépose (attention, si vous souhaitez les réutiliser évitez cette méthode), puis on plonge ses doigts dans un bol de dissolvant (la colle étant douce, l'acétone n'est pas obligatoire) pendant une dizaine de minutes. Le dissolvant va dissoudre délicatement la colle qui retient la capsule sur l'ongle. Cette méthode permet d'ôter avec douceur les faux ongles et n'abîme pas les ongles naturels en dessous.

Removing resin false nails 

Applying resin false nails is very similar to applying gel false nails. File the resin to remove as much as possible, then soak your fingers in a bowl of acetone remover to remove any residue. If the resin is stubborn, use a cuticle pusher to scrape away the remnants.

After each application, it's essential to take good care of your nails. Once the residues of glue, gel and resin have been removed from the nail, we arm ourselves with a greasy vegetable oil and massage each nail carefully to impregnate it with the care product. Continue with a special hand moisturizer to soften and nourish the skin - essential after the acetone and nail polish remover bath! Finally, apply a strengthening nail serum to restore radiance and vigor for impeccable nails! 

How to care for your nails after false nail removal?