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What is PolishedSole, and what will I find here?
PolishedSole is a DIY custom press-on nail art blog I created to share my love for funky nails, sneakers, and personal style. Here you’ll find original nail set tutorials, design inspiration, and honest product recommendations. All of my content is geared toward helping you create custom press-on nails that are completely your own.
Who is behind PolishedSole?
It’s your girl, Erica, a millennial mom of one living in Harlem, NYC, who refuses to be caught outside without a cool, edgy set of nails. I’m a self-taught, at-home DIY-er with zero formal art training. I design my own custom press-ons because:
- It’s genuinely fun
- I switch out my sets every two weeks
- Designing on the nail before it’s on my hand makes detailed work so much easier
- As a busy mom, I can take my time with no pressure to finish an entire set in one sitting
Are you a licensed nail tech?
Nope, and I want to be upfront about that. I’m not a licensed nail technician, and I don’t position myself as one. I’m a DIY-er who does nail art for myself, my mom, and my sister. I have no current plans to attend nail school, but I’d love to take a few nail art-specific courses down the line. Everything I share here comes from personal experience, trial and error, and a whole lot of love for the craft.
Who is this blog for? Do I need experience to follow along?
PolishedSole is for anyone who’s even a little curious about nail art and how it can be an extension of your personal style — whether you’ve never touched a nail brush or you’ve been DIY-ing for years. You don’t need experience to follow along. If you can follow a recipe or assemble furniture from a manual, you can do this. My tutorials are designed to help you think through the design process from inspiration to finished set, so you’re building skills, not just copying looks.
Safety & Getting Started
Are DIY press-on nails safe to do at home?
Yes — with the right precautions. On PolishedSole, I work exclusively with gel polishes, which require a UV or LED lamp to cure. There are a few important safety practices to keep in mind: Taking these steps seriously means DIY press-ons can be a totally safe and enjoyable hobby. I’ll always flag relevant safety notes within individual tutorials, too.
- Cure completely. Gel polish that hasn’t been fully cured remains chemically active, which can cause skin sensitivities over time. Always follow your lamp’s recommended cure times.
- Keep gel off your skin. Uncured gel polish that repeatedly contacts the skin can trigger contact dermatitis — an allergic reaction that, once developed, may make you permanently sensitive to gel products. Apply carefully, and clean up any skin contact before curing.
- Wear nitrile gloves when handling gel products during prep and cleanup. Latex gloves are not sufficient — nitrile provides better chemical resistance.
- If you experience any redness, itching, swelling, or irritation while working with or wearing press-on nails, stop use immediately and consult a healthcare provider.
Taking these steps seriously means DIY press-ons can be a totally safe and enjoyable hobby. I’ll always flag relevant safety notes within individual tutorials, too.
What products do I need to get started?
For a complete list of everything you need to get started with DIY press-on nails, check out my DIY Starter Kit post. [Link coming soon!] It covers the essentials — from nail tips and gel polish to lamps and tools — so you’re not guessing at the supply store.
What skill level do your tutorials assume?
Every level, from absolute beginner to experienced DIY-er, can follow along on PolishedSole. The main goal here is to help you translate inspiration into a complete nail design that’s uniquely yours, not just a copy of someone else’s work. And for what it’s worth: I’ve been doing this for six years, I’m entirely self-taught, and I have no formal art training. If I can create the sets you see on this blog, I genuinely believe you can too.
Do I need any special tools, or can I use what I already have?
It depends on the design. Some techniques do require specific tools. For example, you’ll need a magnet for cat-eye gel polish, or blooming gel if you want to achieve certain fluid effects. But you don’t need a full toolkit to start. My DIY Starter Kit post [link coming soon!] covers the bare minimum supplies for your first few sets, plus a list of specialty tools worth adding as you grow.
How long do press-on nails typically last?
Anywhere from a few hours to a couple of weeks — it really comes down to three things: how long you want them to last, how well you prep both your natural nails and the press-ons, and your application technique. Read more about press-on nail longevity in my “How To Get Press-On Nails to Last” post. [Link coming soon!]
Can I reuse press-on nails?
Most definitely! Press-ons can be reused as long as they’re made durably and removed carefully. Learn how to build strong, long-lasting custom press-ons here [link coming soon!], and check out this post [link coming soon!] for tips on removing them without damaging your nails or the set.
Designs & Tutorials
How do you come up with your nail designs?
I use The POLISH Method — my personal framework for turning inspiration into a cohesive nail design. When I first started, I copied looks straight from Pinterest and Instagram (no shame, it’s a great way to learn). But over time, I wanted my sets to feel more personal.
My biggest source of inspiration? My sneaker collection. I have a pretty solid roster of pairs from different brands and designers, and I love building nail sets that reference what I’m wearing on my feet. I also pull from book and album covers, art, and fashion. Sometimes I’ll try to recreate a specific visual, but more often, I use color, texture, and design elements to reference, but not replicate, an inspiration.
Can I recreate your nail designs for yourself or others?
Be my guest! I’d love for you to use The POLISH Method to develop your own designs, but if one of my sets speaks to you and you want to recreate it, go for it. My only ask: if you share your PolishedSole-inspired set publicly, please tag me or give a shoutout. It means a lot and helps the community grow!
Do you take design requests or suggestions?
Sure, why not? I can’t promise I’ll get to every request, but I’m always open to hearing what you have in mind. Reach out, and I’ll let you know if it’s something I’d like to try.
Where can I find a specific design or tutorial I saw on social media?
Right here on PolishedSole.com! Every set I post on social media starts as a Set Story on the blog first. Browse the Set Stories archive or use the search bar to track down what you’re looking for.
Products & Shopping
Do you recommend specific brands?
If a product is linked on this blog, it’s because I’ve actually used it and liked it. I’ll always be honest if something didn’t work for me. No fluff, no filler recommendations.
Are your product recommendations sponsored?
As of March 2026, there are no sponsored posts or product placements on PolishedSole.com. If that ever changes, you’ll know because every post will clearly disclose any partnerships.
Do you use affiliate links?
As of March 2026, there are no affiliate links on PolishedSole.com. If and when I join an affiliate program, every post will include a clear disclosure. Transparency is non-negotiable around here.
Do you sell custom press-on nail sets?
Not at this time! I want to be sure that I still enjoy making press-on nails for myself. If I started taking custom orders, I think I’d experience burnout.
Collabs & Working Together
Do you work with brands?
I’d love to! If you’re a brand interested in working with PolishedSole, reach out at polishedsole@gmail.com and let’s talk.
How can a brand or company reach out to partner with PolishedSole?
Email is the best way: polishedsole@gmail.com. Tell me about your brand and what kind of collaboration you have in mind, and I’ll get back to you.
Do you accept guest posts or contributions?
Not yet, but never say never! Check back as the blog grows.
Connect & Community
How can I contact you?
You can reach me by email at polishedsole@gmail.com.
Where can I follow you on social media?
You can follow PolishedSole on Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok. [Links coming soon!]
How do I stay updated on new posts and tutorials?
Sign up for the PolishedSole newsletter to get new posts, tutorials, and DIY press-on nail tips delivered straight to your inbox. [Sign-up link coming soon!]