Chillhouse Chill Tips Gave Me An Artistic Manicure In Minutes

We put Chillhouse's Chill Tips to the test after receiving a complimentary sample from the brand. Keep reading for our full product review.

Watching videos of artists creating beautiful designs on long, manicured nails leaves me inspired, but I know I'm not capable of painting the art on myself. Additionally, I personally prefer to keep my nails short. After checking out the designs and length of the nails from Chillhouse Chill Tips (they're artistic, not-at-all long, and have a natural-looking oval shape), I decided to give press-on nails a go. If you're like me and have an affinity for nail art, but not the DIY aspect of creating it, read on to learn more if Chill Tips are right for you.

About My Nails: Short and strong

My nails don’t break easily. I've admired nail art from afar, but very rarely reach for a bottle of polish on my own. Painting my nails has never been my thing, and I've been keeping my nails short and neat for as long as I can remember. Over the past two years, I’ve become more curious about press-ons, but most brands I was familiar with had lengths that I knew weren't realistic for my lifestyle. The length of the Chillhouse Chill Tips seemed manageable, and I was excited to see what my nails would look like with the brand's trendy designs.

How to Apply: Follow three easy steps

Chillhouse has very clear instructions for applying its press-ons, and to my surprise, the application process was hassle-free—even as a novice press-on wearer. Here’s a quick summary of the application process:

1. Prep: Chillhouse recommends using the emory board to file to prep nails, claiming this helps maximize wear-time. Use the included wooden cuticle stick to push your cuticles back, then buffed your nails. Pro tip: wipe down your nails with isopropyl alcohol to get rid of any dust or oil on the nail plates, for better adhesion.
2. Apply Glue: Apply a thin layer of Chillhouse’s glue to the back of the press-on, as well as the natural nails, waiting three seconds for the glue to become activated before applying.
3. Firmly press: Press the Chill Tip onto natural nails for 30 seconds or more, making sure that the pressure is evenly distributed across the entire nail. Once dry, I filed my nails to the shape and length I wanted.

The Results: A salon-quality manicure

Chillhouse hit it out of the park with these press-ons. As soon as I finished applying the nails, I was thrilled with how my hands looked. The nail art gave was elevated and artistic—similar to the designs I was bookmarking from all over Instagram.

For the five days that I wore the Chill Tips, I didn’t have any issues with the nails overall. On the third day that I was wearing them, I noticed two press-ons lifting slightly near my cuticles, but I wasn’t surprised by that—I used a really light hand when applying glue. Adding more glue to the lifting area was an easy fix and took very little time.

As a press-on nails novice, I found that wearing the the Chill Tips took some getting used to. I could use my phone and laptop comfortably, but doing so with the nails on felt foreign to me, and I didn't feel totally comfortable to keep them on for an extended period of time. To be clear, I don’t think that has anything to do with the product. It's just my preference for having super short nails. But trust, for special occasions, I will be getting my hands on a set of Chillhouse's press-ons.

The Value: Worth every penny

I don’t think you can go wrong with a pair of Chillhouse Chill Tips, especially when you consider the price. For $16, you get a set of artfully designed press-ons that can be reused several times. Additionally, you a nail file, cuticle stick, and high quality, non-toxic glue that won’t damage your nails. When you factor in the other tools that come with the press-ons, I think the cost of the Chill Tips is appropriate.

Similar Products: You have options

Fingernails Are Pretty Press-Ons: A bit more of an investment and Canada-based, the Fingernails Are Pretty Pressies ($32-$65) are some of the most beautiful press-ons out there. Hand painted and intricately designed, there are several nail art options to choose from and eight different nail shape and length options.

Olive and June Press-On Nails: A bit more affordable and with just as many options, the Olive and June Press-On Nails ($10-$12) will make your hands look polished and manicured in just a few minutes. Made from upcycled materials and non-toxic glue, these nails can last just as long as the Chillhouse Chill Tips.