Once you’ve unpacked everything from your press-on nail kit, the first step is sizing up your nails. I usually begin with the nails displayed right at the front of the box since these tend to be the most common sizes.

A quick tip: Press-ons can look unnatural if the false nail is too wide at the base. To avoid this, pick nails that feel snug when you lay them on top of your natural nail. They might seem a bit small at first glance, but if they fully cover your nail once you press down, you’ve found a good fit.

After you’ve found the right size for each finger, line them up on a table in front of you, matched to the corresponding fingers. This way, when it’s time to apply, you’ll be organized and ready to go.

Pro tip: You only need to size one hand! Many brands emboss small numbers on the underside of each nail that correspond to sizes. Once you find your perfect fit for one hand, look for those matching numbers to pick the right sizes for the other hand.

Bonus: Jot down your sizes for future reference, so your next press-on manicure is quicker and easier.