Stuck Like Glue—Experts Reveal the Nail Glues With the Most Staying Power (2024)

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Active Ingredients: Ethyl cyanoacrylate | Size: 0.10 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

With its durability and ease of use, this nail glue ranks high in our books. It dries quickly—in five seconds or less—and keeps fake tips or press-ons in place for at least two weeks. Reviewers rave that this nail glue lasts through it all, including daily activities like washing dishes and making the bed.

But bear in mind a high-strength formula also means it'll be a little harder to remove your nails when you're ready to replace them. You might need to use nail polish remover to dissolve some of the adhesive or gently pry them off with a cuticle pusher. Also worth mentioning: The squeeze tube is pretty small and doesn't contain as much glue as others on this list—but you don't need much, and you can get two for under $10.

Active Ingredients: Ethyl cyanoacrylate | Size: 0.37 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

This nail glue contains at least twice as much product as most others we found, so you'll definitely get a good bang for your buck. But that's not the only reason to buy it. As the name suggests, the fine-tipped nozzle prevents drips when applying the adhesive, while a special cap ensures it never clogs. We also like that the formula quickly bonds to the nail and lasts up to two weeks.

Active Ingredients: Cyanoacrylate | Size: 0.27 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This UK brand is a celeb favorite for on-the-go manicures. We love its precision brush applicator, which is ideal for press-on and French tip application. The user-friendly, long-lasting, water-resistant formula dries quickly and holds up through it all—including frequent handwashing and strenuous tasks. It can be tricky to remove, but this is really just a testament to how well it works.

Active Ingredients: Ethyl cyanoacrylate | Size: 0.10 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Split, cracked, or broken nail? It happens to the best of us. That said, you'll be glad to have this nail glue on hand next time you need a fix. A tiny bit does the trick, and the narrow nozzle helps with precise application. "Repair your broken nail with a patch combination of nail glue and a tea bag or a thin paper towel," says Romah. Of course, you can also use this product to apply acrylics.

Active Ingredients: Ethyl cyanoacrylate | Size: 0.23 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Accomplishing acrylic nails at home is no easy feat, which is where this Makartt nail glue comes into play. Its brush offers easy, even application with no lumps, bumps, or clumps. Like the best nail polish brushes, all you need is one swipe to coat each nail evenly. And even though it dries quickly, it gives you just the right amount of time to set everything into place. What's more, it can be used to apply press-ons or gems and fix broken nails, too.

Active Ingredients: Ethyl cyanoacrylate | Size: 0.17 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

At-home manicures are all about saving time. Still, it can be hard to be patient while everything dries, which is why we love this nail glue from IBD. As the name suggests, the on-the-go formula dries in just five seconds. In addition to applying a fresh set of nails or tips, it's great for reapplication and fixing broken nails in a pinch. Plus, it has the seal of approval from Edwards. "I use this in conjunction with ridge filler powder for a quick fix—it's very consumer-friendly," she says.

Active Ingredients: Not listed | Size: 0.14 oz | Cruelty-Free: Not listed

Nail wraps are an alternative to gels, dips, acrylics, and regular nail polish. They're essentially thin adhesive strips you wrap around each nail bed, then file down to achieve the proper fit and shape. Big Bondini Plus is a multipurpose formula you can use not only for fake nails and tips but also for wraps. While nail wraps usually come with a sticky backing, swiping on a thin coat of this glue before applying them can ensure they stay put and help them last longer.

Active Ingredients:Ethyl cyanoacrylate | Size: 0.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Not listed

Are you a nail glue newbie? This beginner-friendly option from Young Nails is easy to apply with the attached brush. Not too thick nor too runny, the medium viscosity formula is quick-drying but not so quick that you'll feel flustered trying to position each nail. The overall design helps minimize mistakes, and if you do mess up, no sweat! Just use a bit of soap and warm water to remove the glue.

Active Ingredients: Ethyl cyanoacrylate | Size: 0.23 oz | Cruelty-Free: Not listed

This pro-level, salon-quality nail glue isn't messing around. The quick-bonding, remarkably reliable adhesive promises to last up to 30 days—there's a good chance your natural nails will grow out before your fakes pop off. Just a heads up, it's meant to be applied to the fake nail rather than your nail bed. Besides acrylics and extensions, you can use it to embellish your nails with rhinestones or fix cracks and splits.

Active Ingredients: Resin | Size: 0.27 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This dual-headed nail glue has a precision brush on one side and a fine pen tip on the other, making it easy to deposit tiny dots where you want to apply rhinestones, crystals, gems, or charms. You can count on your nail embellishments to stay put for a few weeks. However, since this is a resin adhesive, it has to be cured with a UV lamp. The brand makes an affordable mini nail-drying lamp designed for one finger at a time.

Active Ingredients: Ethyl cyanoacrylate | Size: 0.75 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Want to add a little sparkle to your nails? This fast-drying, quick-bond nail glue is technically meant to provide long-lasting staying power for full-cover acrylics and press-ons. However, the thick gel formula, squeeze-on application, and precision tip make it a stellar choice for nail gems. It can also be used to fill gaps and seal cracks.

Active Ingredients: Resin | Size: 0.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This nail glue is the way to go for those applying fake tips or nail extensions at home. Boasting a high-viscosity formula, the unique "solid gel" creates a super sticky base to press on the tips. You won't have to worry about the extensions sliding around or slipping off after you position them, but as a resin glue, it needs a UV lamp to cure.

Active Ingredients: Ethyl cyanoacrylate | Size: 0.16 oz | Cruelty-Free: Not listed

Worried about a nail popping off midday? Keep this nail glue pen in your bag just in case it happens when you're out and about. With a narrow nozzle and a fine tip, it offers convenient and precise application. The best part? It won't open up or spill, thanks to the secure cap. This nail adhesive also dries super fast, so you'll be on your way quickly after fixing your nail.

FAQ

• How do you apply nail glue?

  When applying nail glue, it’s always better to start with less, says Edwards. “You never want to flood the nail with glue and spill it onto your skin, which can betricky to remove without your fingers sticking together.” She further advises you to place your finger at a downward angle so if you do happen to spill, it’ll go down onto the paper towel instead of your skin.

• How do you remove nail glue?

  Nail glue is best removed with an acetone-based remover, says Edwards. “Apply on a lint-free towel and wipe excess glue or soak for one to two minutes for removal.”

• Does nail glue expire?

  Yes, nail glue expires and loses its adhesion, explains Edwards. “A good marker is if you see the glue has hardened or changed in color.”