I Prefer Press-on Nails to Manicures, and Oprah Just Recommended My $16 Go-Tos to the World

I once heard someone say that you can tell how put-together someone is by the state of their nails. While I can’t promise that my life is as polished as my digits, I can fake it ‘til I make it with Chillhouse’s press-on “Chill Tips” — a favorite of mine, and now Oprah’s, after securing a spot on her 2024 Favorite Things List.

While there are more than 100 fashion, home, and beauty gifts on her latest List, Oprah selected these nails that PEOPLE Tested (and I use regularly) as one of her beauty recommendations. As someone who loves long nails and fun designs, yet doesn’t have the type of money to yell “you get a car!” ever, those pricey salon visits are out of the question. To cut costs, I apply fake nails almost weekly, and press-ons like have saved me more than a thousand dollars in the eight years that I’ve done my own nails.

“I’ve asked so many people recently, ‘Oh, where did you get your nails done?’ They laugh and say, ‘They’re press-on!’,” the mogul wrote on Oprah Daily. “We’ve curated this set with subtle designs and a few solids for old-school folks like me.”

While a single-pack of signature Chill Tips is only $16 at Amazon, Oprah’s preferred sets come in a special bundle. It includes a festive, almond-shaped red (“She’s on Holiday”), a medium-length, pale-pink square with white accents (“Window Seat”), and a semi-sheer rounded shape with abstract white lines (“Pirouette”).

Chill Tips come in more than 60 designs, including trendy textures with two-tone shifts to modern French manicures, and can be separated into categories like oval, square, almond. With so many options, you can nab several designs for the price of one salon visit. And when you decide to switch them out, you can store your discarded nails for future use, as they’re designed to be reusable. How’s that for being cost-efficient and eco-conscious?

Testing Chillhouse Chill Tips

As an avid press-on nail wearer (and someone that’s generally rough on their nails), I was quite impressed by the wear that I got out of these faux acrylics. My style of choice is “Born Day,” a delicate ombré French that feels perfect for any occasion.

How to Apply Chillhouse Chill Tips

The first (albeit, not mandatory) step is to massage my cuticles with a bit of oil before gently pushing them back, which elongates my nail bed and makes for prettier application. Then, I lightly buff the surface of my natural nails with the included nail file to give the glue something to grip onto.

The instructions call for a light layer of glue (also included) inside the press-on nail and a generous layer on the natural nail. I allow the glue to activate for three seconds and then press the nails firmly onto my natural nail, keeping equal pressure at the center to minimize the chance of air bubbles (which can make your nails lift prematurely). 

In the end, it only takes about 15 minutes to apply a set of ten nails.

The Results 

No matter the shape of the nails I’ve chosen, Chill Tips have always felt fairly sturdy. Each nail has a medium-thick tip that tapers towards the base, which gives the press-on a realistic curve and allows it to sit flush against my natural nail.

The glue holds up just as much as my go-to, Kiss Powerflex Maximum Speed, which dries in seconds and has superior strength compared to glues included in other brands’ kits. Despite hand-washing, hot showers, and other activities that gradually loosen glue, it typically takes about a week before I start to lose a nail here and there (which I, admittedly, glue right back on).

Who It’s Good For

Chill Tips are a great option for anyone who wants a professional-looking manicure in a pinch — and at a fraction of the price. They’re easy to pick up at most large retailers and you can also order them with Prime on Amazon for speedy delivery.

Who It’s Not Good For

If you need something stronger (like acrylic nail or dip powder), you may not like the temporary hold of these nails. Secured by glue and not curable adhesive, it may be easier to lose or damage a nail if you work with your hands, as compared to thicker acrylics or dip. 

It’s worth mentioning that while these are cheaper than a salon visit, they’ll require more frequent applications than your typical acrylic or dip set, which can last for more than a month, whereas these nails will fall off after about seven to ten days.

What to Look For When Buying Press-on Nails

Shape

Nails are an extension of your style, with shape, length, and design all being factors in the final kind you choose. While length is pretty cut and dry (short, medium, and long), there are a few key terms to keep in mind when selecting your perfect shape.

Durability

Let’s face it, press-ons are a temporary substitute for the pricey nails that you can get at a salon. However, that doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t have staying power. Press-ons can vary from sticker-backed to glueable: stickers offering far less wear time (a single-day solution) and glue-ons lasting for more thana week if applied properly and treated with care.

In fact, one of our former editors wore Chill Tips on a two-week vacation with no complaints, which earned the fake nails a spot in our roundup of the best press-on nails of 2024.

Finish

Since press-ons don’t require the purgatory of drying paint, it’s easier to get creative with the finishes of your manicure (and far better than waiting for a complicated texture to dry).

Other Press-On Nails To Consider

Are Chillhouse’s Chill Tips Worth it? 

Yes, the Chill Tips are absolutely worth it for the quick (and cute!) solution they offer for bare nails, time crunches, and trendy, affordable designs. They also last for seven to 10 days, which is when I want to switch up my look, anyway.

Why Trust PEOPLE? 

Alyssa Brascia is a staff shopping writer at PEOPLE who specializes in fashion and beauty. Her content spans from eyeliner roundups to first-person skincare reviews, though she has plenty of experience writing about nail products. From first-hand testing the gel nail extensions that Suni Lee wore while competing in the 2024 Olympic Games to designing, sculpting, and applying her own bespoke press-ons for more than eight years, Brascia is well-versed in the world of DIY nail art.