Gone are the days when you have to visit a professional to get your nails bedazzled. Thanks to commercially available glues and kits, you can now personalise your manicure at home with whatever designs you desire. Try your hand at acrylics, gems, rhinestones or any other chic nail art. Let your creativity run free! You'll gain a new skill and save money, too.
While shopping for nail glue, you'll want to pick a formula that dries quickly and has strong, long-lasting adhesion so your manicure can withstand whatever you throw at it – and be easy to remove afterwards. Our buying guide dives deep into all these aspects, plus our top 10 is there to give you some ideas by ranking the best false nail glues in the UK!
Quick List - Top Nail Glues
Nailene
A Fast, Powerful Formula That's Earned It Almost 50,000 Glowing Reviews
Elegant Touch
Great for Repairing Artificial and Natural Nails, as Well as Bonding Acrylics in Just 4 Seconds
By Vixi
Easy to Use With Extra-Strong Hold for Repairing and Attaching Nail Decorations
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Nail glues are essential for all your manicure needs. They can be used to repair broken or cracked natural and artificial nails, affix press-ons or acrylics, and stick accessories such as gems, crystals, and decals in place. Therefore, one of the biggest considerations is how strongly the glue holds and how long this keeps your manicure put.
Brands will sometimes put how strong their glue holds on the packaging as well as how many weeks it'll last. It also helps to see what others are saying in the reviews section. For time-saving and convenience, go for a nail glue that lasts for at least 2 weeks, or preferably more.
Give your nails some nourishment between manicures with a cuticle oil.
These days, most nail glues have a fast-setting formula so that you don't have to wait around for your manicure to dry. Especially if you're doing an elaborate decoration that requires layering, one that'll dry in a few seconds is ideal. Whether you're always in a rush or you simply lack the patience to wait, look out for a quick-drying formula.
Browse our recommended press-on nails for toes.
Nail glue applicators usually come in the form of either a brush or a pointed nozzle. Brushes allow the product to be evenly dispersed across the cuticle as it is applied like nail polish. This helps you achieve good coverage when fixing press-ons and also prevents air bubbles, further strengthening the bond.
Other glues come with a fine-tipped brush, which is thinner than a typical polish brush but can also spread the glue evenly onto the nails. These offer better precision for affixing decorations and accessories, as well as even coverage for acrylics.
Depending on their size, nozzles can let you get precise with where you want to apply the glue. However, they work better for attaching decorations than fixing acrylics. You can use them for press-ons, but it will be very messy as it's tricky to control how much product comes out. Generally, brushes are easier and less messy to use.
Doing your own nails? You'll need a reliable kit. Check out our go-to manicure sets here.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Nailene Ultra-Quick Nail Glue|3 g | ![]() | A Fast, Powerful Formula That's Earned It Almost 50,000 Glowing Reviews | |
2 | NYK1 Nailbond Nail Glue | ![]() | Super-Strong, Salon-Quality Nail Glue With a Fine Brush Applicator | |
3 | Elegant Touch Brush On Nail Glue|6 ml | ![]() | Great for Repairing Artificial and Natural Nails, as Well as Bonding Acrylics in Just 4 Seconds | |
4 | By Vixi Extra Strong Brush-On Nail Glue|15 g | ![]() | Easy to Use With Extra-Strong Hold for Repairing and Attaching Nail Decorations | |
5 | Assaboor Nail Glue | ![]() | A Good Value for Money Buy That’s Great for Beginners | |
6 | Makartt Strong Nail Glue | ![]() | With a Pen-Like Tube for Better Control and Easy Portability | |
7 | The Edge Super Strong Nail Adhesive|3 x 3 g | ![]() | Dries Rapidly and Forms a Strong Bond for All Kinds of Nail Art | |
8 | Gelike ec 6-in-1 Gel Nail Glue|8 ml | ![]() | 6-in-1 Gel Formula That’s Perfect for Fixing Acrylics and Press-Ons | |
9 | AIRRE Professional Nail Glue | ![]() | Solid Hold for Repairing Cracked or Broken Nails and Attaching Press-Ons and Decals | |
10 | Boots Quick Drying Nail Glue|2.87 ml | ![]() | An Affordable Yet Effective Option That’s Great for Having in Your Handbag |
Taking our no.1 spot is this Ultra-Quick Nail Glue from Nailene. With over 48,000 glowing reviews, it's one of the most popular options on Amazon. It's easy to see why it's so highly rated: the small but mighty tube offers straightforward application, fast, powerful adhesion and lasting wear.
The formula and pointed nozzle mean it is suitable for affixing any kind of nail art, and it can be used to repair natural nails too. If you hate waiting around, this one dries in 3 seconds. Once it sets, whatever you attach will stay put for up to a week.
This nail glue from NYK1 claims to be super strong, reliable and long-lasting – and it doesn't disappoint. Fans attest that the formula has some serious bond and that nails don't come off as easily as they do with other glues.
Thanks to the fine precision brush, you're able to get into the sides of the cuticles without creating a big mess when fixing acrylics. It also offers superb accuracy for sticking on gems, rhinestones, and other nail embellishments.
Don't let a broken nail stop you – this glue from Elegant Touch can help to repair both artificial and natural nails. With a handy applicator brush to dispense and spread the glue evenly, it is also a great one for bonding press-on nails.
Fans of this product love how well it repairs the nails, and the strong adhesive truly helps acrylics to stay on. Plus, it has a quick-drying formula that will set clear in just 4 seconds. If you frequently use press-on nails, we highly recommend this option.
By Vixi's extra strong nail glue can do it all: it can be used to repair natural and false nails within seconds, plus it provides an extra-strong hold for sticking on plastic or acrylic press-ons, rhinestones, gems, or other 3D nail decorations.
The fine brush gives you control and precision so you won't have to worry about leaving a mess. It also fans out to spread the formula evenly over the cuticle, creating a strong bond for press-ons that will feel secure for up to 3 weeks.
You don't need to wait around for the glue to dry thanks to the quick-drying formula. Moreover, it comes with a good amount of product (10 ml), as well as 100 clear nail tips. If you're a beginner at DIY nail art, this purchase is a no-brainer – it's incredibly affordable too.
The design of this tube-shaped nail glue from Makartt means that you can apply product while holding it like a pen, allowing for much better control. The slender shape is also great for popping into your bag to take on the go for quick fixes.
It can be used to mend broken nails and attach fake ones as well as small nail decorations such as rhinestones, beads, and gems. The glue itself is fast-drying, has a quick, strong bond, and is long-lasting (2 weeks+). The dispensing tip is rather large, however, so it could be difficult to control how much product comes out.
If you want to achieve salon-quality, professional results, give these nail glues from The Edge a try. The formula is rapid drying and provides an ultra-strong bond whatever you wish to decorate your nails with.
Nevertheless, while the nozzle is great for attaching rhinestones or gems, it would be preferable if it came with a brush for affixing press-ons – especially since the strong adhesive would be great for this reason.
Experts in nails, Gelike ec has developed a unique 6-in-1 gel formula nail glue that is an adhesive, base gel, strengthener, slip solution, brush saver, and blooming gel in one. It creates a strong seal between your natural nail and the acrylics so it stays firmly in place.
You also don't have to worry about it peeling or popping off, at least for the next 3 to 4 weeks. The only downside is that the gel must be cured under a nail lamp for around 1 to 2 minutes in order for it to work. But if you already own a nail lamp and you use press-ons all the time, this product is a must-have in your kit.
AIRRE nail glue is a high-strength adhesive that will hold your press-ons and decals in place in a matter of seconds. You can also use it to repair cracked or broken nails, making it look like nothing happened in a jiffy.
The fine brush will evenly coat the nails with glue for a smooth, mess-free finish, and it's also thin enough to precisely dot the product where you want to attach accessories. However, some users have reported that it left their natural nails damaged, which may not be ideal in the long run.
If you've ever had a nail disaster while out and about, you need Boots' own-brand offering. At 2.87 ml, it is the smallest option on our list, so it's great for taking on the go and keeping in your bag for emergencies.
The affordable price also makes it an excellent one for trying out, and you might end up sticking to it for all your nail repair and decoration needs due to the strong adhesive and quick-drying formula. That said, if you do end up liking it, you'll have to purchase multiple bottles which can be a hassle. The plastic containers will pile up, too.
Written and researched by Audrey Tan
No. 1: Nailene|Ultra-Quick Nail Glue|3 g
No. 2: NYK1|Nailbond Nail Glue
No. 3: Elegant Touch |Brush On Nail Glue|6 ml
No. 4: By Vixi |Extra Strong Brush-On Nail Glue|15 g
No. 5: Assaboor|Nail Glue
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