5 Best Nail Glue Alternatives (Tried & Tested) (2024)

Some time in your life, you’ve probably sat down in the nail salon and purchased fake nails. Have you ever wondered about the safety of nail glue and if there are any alternatives? We’ve found some of the best nail glue alternatives you might want to consider.

Here’s what you should know about nail glue alternatives. Unless it includes safe ingredients, nail glue should not be used on small children.

Some of the best nail glue alternatives are gel polish, acrylic mixtures, nail tabs, and make-your-own glue mixtures. If you have sensitive skin, you shouldn’t ensure your nail glue is free from formaldehyde and phthalates. Lastly, there are natural alternatives you can use, such as beeswax and glue made with natural oils.

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Nail Glue Alternatives: What to Consider Before Using

When it comes to putting on fake nails, nail glue is one of the most common options adult women use. However, if applying fake nails on a child, it’s essential to consider the ingredients and safety of the nail glue before using it.

Due to its strong chemicals and risk for skin irritation, nail glue is not recommended for use in children. It’s essential to research nail glue alternatives that are also great for kids. One of the first things to look for when searching for an alternative is the type of material you’re going to glue.

Another factor you’ll want to consider is the child’s age, as some nail glue alternatives are too strong. Finally, you’ll also need to take into consideration if the nail glue contains toxic chemicals. Many nail glue options in beauty supply stores are harmful if inhaled or accidentally ingested; therefore, they should be kept away from children.

Depending on the ingredients of the nail glue, nail glue is not recommended for use on small children because of its fumes and risk of skin irritation. By taking these factors into consideration, you can ensure that you’re using the safest and best nail glue for you or your children.

The best nail glue alternatives are gel polish, acrylic mixture, make-your-own nail glue, and nail tabs (source).

Best Nail Glue Alternatives

1. Gel Polish

In some circumstances, you can use gel polish as a nail glue alternative. Gel polish is best used with fake nails that don’t have a dark color. The main reason is that if you have a dark color, the UV light can’t pass through to cure the nail polish.

If you have fake nails that are clear or light in color, gel polish is a great nail glue alternative that can last around one to two weeks.

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2. Acrylic Mixture

Acrylic Mixture is also another popular nail glue attentive. When referring to acrylic mixture it’s the mixture of liquid and powder that are used to make acrylic nails. Acrylic nails are one of the most durable, long-lasting options if you’re looking for one of the best nail glue alternatives.

Some of the pros of using acrylic mixture as a nail glue alternative are:

  • Highly durable
  • Long-lasting
  • It can be applied to nail tips or full nails
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Some of the cons of using acrylic mixture as a nail glue alternative are:

  • Harsh on your skin
  • Not easy to remove
  • Costs more
  • Harder to apply

To apply the acrylic mixture, once you’ve properly prepped your nails, use a brush to dip it into the acrylic liquid and the powder, making a solid bead. Place the bead onto your nail and then apply your fake nails. Once placed, hold for about ten to fifteen seconds in order for the acrylic to dry.

3. Make Your Own

Another nail glue alternative is to simply make your own. You can use a mixture of clear glue and clear polish to hold your nails for a day or so, depending on what you have planned for that day.

Keep in mind that making your own nail glue mixture might not be the most durable option, but it’s one of the best short-term fixes until you can find a better nail glue alternative.

4. Nail Tabs

This nail glue alternative is a double-sided tape that is used in order to “glue” on fake nails or press them onto your natural nails. Nail tabs come in many sizes that will allow them to fit in all sizes of your nails. However, one of the main downsides to nail tabs is that they’re not as durable as traditional nail glue, but they are much gentler on your nails.

Nails tabs are:

  • Easy to remove
  • Gentler on your nails
  • Affordable
  • Easy to put on
  • Can be reused

To use nail tabs, you should first prep your nails by washing them with soap and water. Next, use a cuticle pusher push back and, remove any cuticle on your nail, and use a nail buffer to buff your nails.

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Once you’ve prepped the nails, rub them with alcohol. To put on the nail tabs, it’s recommended to paste the nail tab on and not press it onto your nail. By doing so, you have full control over where you’re placing the nail tab, and will cover your full nail.

Finally, remove the cover of your nail tab and hold firmly on your natural nails for around twenty to thirty seconds. Once on, rub the nail to remove any air bubbles.

Nail Glue Alternatives: What You Should Look for If You Have Sensitive Skin

People with sensitive skin are more likely to look for nail glue alternatives because traditional nail glue can be harsh on the skin and cause skin irritation or redness. If you’re one of those people with sensitive skin, you’re in luck because there are many natural glue alternatives that will give you the results you’re looking for.

The first thing you should look at when searching for an alternative is the ingredients and alternatives that are free from toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde and phthalates. Another thing you’ll want to look at is what adhesive it has.

There are many nail glue alternatives that use water-based adhesive, which is a gentler option on the skin than standard nail glue. It’s also a lot easier to remove so that it won’t cause damage to your natural nails.

Lastly, you’ll want to look for alternatives that are made for sensitive skin types. Many brands will have on the box whether they’re suitable for sensitive skin and if they’re free from toxic chemicals. Finding alternatives that are made for sensitive skin might be a challenge; however, with enough research, you can find the best option for you.

Natural Nail Glue Alternatives

If you need to repair your nails, natural nail glue is an excellent alternative and is one of the safest ways to repair nails without using toxic chemicals. Natural nail glue alternatives can also be found at most beauty supply stores.

You’ll find many natural nail glue alternatives that are made from beeswax and are safe to use on both real and fake nails. Beeswax natural nail glue can fix both minor and significant breaks and is also budget-friendly(source).

Another natural nail glue alternative that you can find is one made from natural oils. Natural oils, such as coconut oil, jojoba oil, and olive oil, are commonly found in natural oil nail glue and are also easy to find and affordable.

If you’re using a natural nail glue alternative, it’s essential to follow the directions on the package and apply it correctly. In addition, make sure you don’t apply the nail glue too thick, as it can make your nails more brittle and prone to breakage.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What can I use instead of nail glue?

Instead of nail glue, you can use builder gel, which is a great alternative to nail glue when applying fake nails.

2. Can I use super glue or gorilla glue as a nail glue alternative?

You should keep super glue and gorilla glue both far away from your nails. Once you apply gorilla glue, it’s hard to remove, and super glue can hurt your skin and damage your natural nails.

3. Can I use eyelash glue to apply fake nails?

Yes, you can use eyelash glue to apply fake nails, as it will still be able to create a bond between your natural nails and the fake nails you’re applying.

Wrapping It Up

If you’re considering getting fake nails, you should use nail glue alternatives such as gel polish, acrylic mixtures, nail tabs, or make your own mixtures. If you have sensitive skin, you should ensure your nail glue is free from toxic chemicals.

Before applying nail glue to small children, check to see if it has clean ingredients, as some nail glue alternatives can cause skin irritation or redness. When looking for natural nail glue alternatives, you can use beeswax or nail glue with natural oils.

The next time you think about visiting the nail salon, we hope you remember our guide and give one of these nail glue alternatives a try!

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Jennifer M. Lowes

Hey there, I’m Jennifer M. Lowes, but my friends call me Jenn. Born and raised in sunny California. By day, I’m a freelance makeup artist transforming everyday people into their best selves. By night, I’m here on this blog, sharing my favorite nail designs, makeup tips, hair styling techniques, and much more.

5 Best Nail Glue Alternatives (Tried & Tested) (2024)

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