Planning a holiday set? Every Handora set is handmade to order in Vietnam and takes 10–15 days to arrive. Order by December 8 for Christmas and by December 14 for New Year's Eve.
If press-ons have ever popped off at the sides, left a gap at the edges, or hung past your nail like a borrowed coat, the design probably wasn't the issue. The fit was. Ready-made sets are built for an "average" nail. Wide, flat, small and very curved nail beds all need a slightly different approach. This guide shows you how to tell which type you have, how to measure it, and which shape, length and adhesive work best, so a handmade set fits you the way a salon manicure would.
Short answer
For wide or flat nail beds, pick the larger size when you're between two, then file the side walls until the press-on sits just inside your nail edges. Almond or oval shapes make wide nails look slimmer. For small or narrow nail beds, measure every finger separately and choose a short almond or short oval. Always measure across the curve of the nail at its widest point, then match that to the Handora size chart.
Jump to: Which nail bed do you have? · Measure and pick a curve · Filing tips and in-between sizes · Nail bed × shape × size table · 6 sets to try · Common mistakes · Order-by dates · FAQ
Which nail bed do you have?
Look straight down at your bare nails in good light, then from the side at eye level. Try this 10-second test: lay a press-on from your current set on your nail without glue. Watch where it touches and where it doesn't.
Wide nail beds
How to spot it: your nail looks as wide as it is long, or wider. Thumbs and middle fingers often need the biggest sizes in a set. In the test, the press-on doesn't reach the side walls and leaves skin-coloured edges showing.
Why press-ons pop off: people often size down so the nail won't look bulky. That leaves the edges unsupported, and everyday pressure, like typing or opening cans, lifts the corners first.
Flat nail beds
How to spot it: from the side, your nail barely arches from edge to edge. In the test, the press-on rocks or bridges over the centre of your nail, with its sides floating above your skin.
Why press-ons pop off: most press-ons have a C-curve. On a flat nail, glue only touches a thin strip in the middle, so the bond is weaker at the edges.
Small or narrow nail beds
How to spot it: your nails are short from cuticle to tip, or slim from side to side. Even the smallest size in a standard kit can overlap onto your skin.
Why press-ons pop off: a press-on that touches the skin or cuticle gets lifted every time your finger moves. Long tips add leverage, so the nail catches and pries loose.
Curved nail beds
How to spot it: from the side, your nail has a strong arch, almost a half-tube. In the test, the press-on touches only at the sides, leaving a gap under the centre.
Why press-ons pop off: the hollow centre traps air and moisture. Fill that gap with an even layer of glue, and measure across the curve, not flat.
Measure your size and pick a curve
The full how-to is in our press-on nail size chart guide. Here's the short version for tricky nail beds:
- Use soft tape or a strip of paper, not a rigid ruler. Wrap it across the widest part of the nail, following the curve from one side wall to the other.
- Measure all 10 fingers. Left and right hands often differ, and wide or small nail beds rarely follow a neat pattern.
- Measure bare nails. Gel or acrylic adds thickness and changes the curve.
- Match each number to the Handora size chart, then choose XS, S, M or L for the set. Every design comes in Short, Medium and Long lengths.
- When a finger falls between two sizes, choose the larger one and file it down (see the next section).
Ordered the wrong size? Handora offers one free size exchange within 30 days.
Filing tips and what to do between sizes
- Size up, then file the sides. A slightly larger press-on can be shaped to fit. One that's too small can't be stretched.
- File the side walls, not the tip. Hold the file at a gentle angle and work along both edges with light strokes. Check against your nail often. You want it to sit just inside your skin on every side.
- Shape the base to match your cuticle line. If the press-on touches your cuticle, round the base slightly so it sits just above it.
- Never squeeze the sides in to make it fit. The press-on springs back and the edges lift within hours.
- Test-drive with adhesive tabs. Tabs last 1–3 days and come off easily, so wear the set on tabs for a day to check comfort and fit before you use glue.
- Glue for the long run. When the fit feels right, switch to glue for 2–4 weeks of wear. Our press-on nail glue guide explains when to choose glue or tabs.
- Apply with care: follow our step-by-step application guide. Prep the nail, press each nail down firmly for 10–20 seconds, and keep your hands out of water for 2 hours.
Nail bed × shape × size table
| Nail bed | Best shapes | Size & curve tips | Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wide | Almond, oval | Choose the larger size and file the side walls. Medium length makes nails look longer and slimmer. | Very wide square shapes |
| Flat | Almond, oval | Choose the larger size. Spread glue across the whole nail and inside the press-on. Press the centre and both sides. | Glue only in the middle |
| Small / narrow (petite) | Short almond, short oval | Measure every finger. Choose the size that sits off the skin, and pick Short length. | Long tips |
| Curved | Almond, oval, most shapes | Measure across the arch, not flat. Use enough glue to fill the gap under the centre. | Measuring with a straight ruler |
6 Handora sets to try by nail bed
All six are handmade almond sets from our Christmas collection, in sizes XS–L and Short, Medium or Long. They're listed newest and best-selling first.
1. Gingerbread Lane (wide nail beds)
3D gingerbread figures, pink bows and red plaid break the nail into small details, so wide nails look narrower. Choose Medium almond and file the sides for a slim, balanced shape.
2. Gingerbread Lace (wide nail beds)
Cocoa polka dots, white lace and a nude base keep the set soft and close to your skin tone, which helps wider nails look narrower. The almond tip finishes each nail in a slim point.
3. Pearl Dot Waltz (wide or flat nail beds)
Shimmer French tips and a sheer nude base hide the filed side walls, so a sized-up nail still looks seamless. On flat nails, spread glue across the whole nail to keep the shimmer tips sealed down.
4. Rose Tartan (flat nail beds)
Plaid lines that run toward the tip add length to flatter nails, and pink marble and dot accents keep the look cosy and festive. Wear it on tabs for a day to check the fit before you glue.
5. Mocha Holly (small or petite nail beds)
Rich chocolate shimmer and tiny holly details stay in proportion on small nails. Choose Short length so the tips don't catch, and size each finger separately.
6. Pastel Starfall (small or petite nail beds)
Dusty pink and mint with small white dots look light and delicate on petite hands, and the star French tips fit even a short nail. Short almond is the easiest length for everyday wear.
Want more options? Browse Handora best sellers. Every design comes in the same size and length options.
Common mistakes
- Measuring straight across instead of along the curve. A ruler laid flat gives a smaller number, so you end up with gaps at the sides.
- Sizing down because you're worried the nail will look wide. An undersized press-on shows bare edges and lifts sooner. Size up and file instead.
- Squeezing the sides to make it fit. The nail springs back, and the corners lift within hours.
- Measuring over gel or acrylic. Remove old enhancements first, then measure bare nails.
- Skipping the file. Even a well-chosen size usually needs a few strokes along the side walls on wide or flat nails.
- Gluing only one surface. On flat or curved nail beds, put a thin layer on your nail and a small drop inside the press-on so there are no air pockets.
Order-by dates
Every set is handmade to order in Vietnam, and delivery takes 10–15 days. To get your set in time:
- Christmas: order by December 8
- New Year's Eve: order by December 14
Order a little earlier if you aren't sure about your size. You'll have time to test the fit, and to use the free size exchange if you need it.
Find a set that fits your nails
Measure across the curve, size up when you're between sizes, and pick a shape that suits your nail bed. Every Handora set is hand-painted with salon-quality care, and you can reuse it 5–10 times with proper care. Not quite right? You get one free size exchange within 30 days. Right now you can also Buy 2, Get 1 Free, so try one set for everyday wear and two for the holidays. Shop the Christmas collection →
FAQ
Do press-on nails work on wide nail beds?
Yes. Choose the larger size when you're between two, then file the side walls so the press-on sits just inside your nail edges. Almond and oval shapes make wide nails look slimmer, and glue keeps them on for 2–4 weeks.
What size press-on nails should I get for flat nail beds?
Measure across the widest part of each nail with soft tape and match it to the size chart. If you're between sizes, choose the larger one. Spread glue across your whole nail and add a drop inside the press-on so the edges bond.
What are the best press-on nails for small or petite nail beds?
Short almond or short oval shapes work best. Measure every finger separately, choose the size that sits off your skin and cuticle, and pick Short length so the tips don't catch.
Can I file press-on nails to fit?
Yes. File the side walls and base with light strokes, checking against your nail as you go. Don't squeeze the sides together to make a nail fit, because it will spring back and lift.
What if my size is wrong?
Handora offers one free size exchange within 30 days. To check the fit first, wear the set on adhesive tabs for 1–3 days before you use glue.
