Best medium-long press-on nail kits

Start here: Kiss Salon X-tend LED Soft Gel Starter Kit (Lux). It's the only true system here — soft-gel press-ons cured with an LED lamp, so you get salon-style wear and can re-use the tips, in a long squoval shape. Best if you want the longest-lasting, most "done" result and don't mind a lamp.

Who the others suit:

• Kiss Salon X-tend "Idol" — same system, different shade; pick it if you prefer that colour over Lux.
• Doonails Classic French Medium Round — the most-loved set by far (4.9 from 1,110 ratings); ideal if you want a classic French look and a medium length that's easy to wear daily.
• Olive & June Instant Mani Medium Almond — 42 nails in one box, so the best odds of a perfect fit; great for first-timers who want a soft, muted shade.
• Sally Hansen Salon Effects kit — the simplest, most beginner-friendly all-in-one if you just want to try press-ons once.
• MelodySusie all-in-one tips kit — for someone who wants to build a habit: 600 clear tips plus tools to paint and apply your own.
• Budget French/almond sets (Qocolcyl, GoldFinger, Colorful French Tip) — fun, trendy designs to experiment with; quality is more hit-and-miss.

Tip: whatever you choose, prep with a buff and alcohol wipe and use glue for medium-long lengths — tabs alone won't hold the tips.