What Is Dip Powder Manicure? How To Do & Maintain It At Home

Get over gel and acrylic nails and take your nail game to the next level with the dip powder manicure. It is different from a regular manicure as it lasts longer, looks extremely chic, and protects fragile nails. In addition, the process is fairly simple and better than gel manicures in all aspects. So, before you rush to the nearest salon, scroll through this article to know everything about it and what to expect.

Keep In Mind

• Benefits: Dip powder is more durable than other nail polish types. It also does not require you to dry your nails with a UV lamp and is easy to apply.
• Precaution: Take care when exposing dip powder nails to harsh chemicals such as acetone and hot water or steam. Avoid using them for more than the recommended time.
• Maintenance Tips: Apply cuticle oil daily to keep nails and cuticles moisturized, and use a soft-bristled brush to gently clean under nails.

What Is Dip Powder Manicure?

Picture this.

You just came out of the salon, happy with your perfectly manicured nails. You get a soda can and try to open it, only for it to chip your nail paint! Nothing matches the regret you feel when something like this happens right after spending big bucks on the perfect mani.

Dip powder manicure protects your nails from such unlikely accidents. It is done using a colored powder and a resin-type glue to give you a long-lasting manicure.

To give you a better idea of how dip powder manicure is done, here is a brief explanation of the entire process:

• The manicurist will clean the nail bed and prepare your nails for the manicure.
• A clear base will be applied on your nails.
• Right after applying the base, your nails will be dunked in a small container with colored powder.
• After taking your nail out of the container, the nail technician will brush away the excess powder and seal it with a special resin-like glue (a special polish).

The entire process is repeated several times on each nail.

The best thing about dip powder manicure is that it does not chip like other manicures. It also does not use any strong chemicals that can damage your nails. On the contrary, it strengthens your nails. Dip powder does not hinder nail extensions as well. This is why dip powder manicure has surpassed the popularity of gel nails. Check out the next section to find out how dip powder manicure is better than gel manicure.

Trivia

Dip nail powder was invented by a popular nail company Signature Nail System in the 1990s.

Dip Powder Nails: Is It Better Than Gel Manicure?

While acrylic nails look artificial, gel manicure and dip powder manicure give your nails a more natural look. Both gel and dip powder manicures look similar, but there’s a huge difference between them.

Although gel manicure may give you the same effect as dip powder manicure, it also emits a strong odor. Unlike gel manicure, dip powder manicure does not require curing time under a UV lamp to harden. It dries quickly on its own.

Next, let us discuss the difference between dip powder and acrylic nails. Scroll down to read.

Dip Powder Vs. Acrylic Nails

You don’t need to go to a nail salon to get a dip powder manicure. So, how to remove dip powder nails at home? You can do so by following the instructions given below.

How To Get Dip Powder Nails At Home: Step-By-Step Tutorial

Before you start with your nail art, get your equipment organized. Here are the things that you will need for doing Dip Powder Manicure at home:

• Nail polish remover
• Cuticle pusher
• Scrapper
• Nail buffer
• Hand sanitizer or rubbing alcohol
• Nail bonder or nail base coat
• A dip powder manicure kit that contains
  • Resin glue
  • Colored powder
  • Activator

1. Prepare your Nails

Clean your nails with a nail polish remover (if you are wearing any polish) and use a cuticle pusher to push back the cuticles. If you have a scrapper, use it to remove any cuticles that are sticking out. Buff and file your nails.

2. Sanitize Your Nails

This is an important step in nail care. Use a nail sanitizer, rubbing alcohol, or antiseptic spray to sanitize your nails. This prevents any bacteria or dirt from getting locked under the nail polish.

3. Coat your Nails

Apply one coat of bonder (a clear substance) to your nails. Leave it on for just a minute.

4. Apply The Resin

Slowly apply the clear resin glue to your nails. Start from the area just above the cuticle and move towards the nail edge. Apply just one coat.

5. Apply The Clear Powder

Dip your finger into the powder container and roll it around for a few seconds. Remove your finger and gently tap it to remove any excess powder. Let it dry for a minute before using a brush to remove the excess powder. At this point, do not use colored powder.

6. Apply More Resin And Colored Powder

Apply another coat of resin to the nail and dip it into the colored powder. Wait for a few minutes before brushing off the excess powder. Repeat the step if you want a thicker manicure.

7. Apply The Activator

Apply the activator to your nails just the way you finish off your regular nail paint with a coat of clear nail polish.

8. Apply The Top Coat

After you have applied the activator, apply a fresh top coat (use one that is meant for acrylic nails). Let it dry completely.

Once the top coat has dried, wash your hands with warm water and soap/cleanser.

Since dip powder manicure protects your nails, it would be a great idea to follow a few maintenance tips to make it last as long as possible. Check them out below.

How To Maintain Dip Powder Manicured Nails

1. Don’t apply the polish to your cuticle. This can lift your polish and make it more susceptible to chipping.
2. Use cool air to dry your polish (preferably under a fan). If you are using a dryer, use it on a cool setting.
3. Reapply the top coat after a few days to prevent any damage.
4. Avoid using hand sanitizer as it can dehydrate your skin and damage the top layer of your manicure. Wash your hands with cleanser or soap instead.

If you have the habit of biting your nails or scraping your polish, try to avoid it as much as possible with dip powder manicure as it can damage your nails.

Removing dip powder manicure is quite easy. Follow the steps listed in the next section for safe removal.

How To Remove Dip Powder Manicure

1. Use a nail buffer to buff away the shiny top coat. Do it on each nail thoroughly.

Maggie, a vlogger sharing a tutorial on removing dip powder nails, also advises, “Make sure that you file your nails a little bit over the top or over the surface (i).”

2. Drench a cotton ball in acetone (until it is dripping) and place it on top of the nail. Wrap a piece of aluminum foil around your finger to secure the cotton ball in place. Follow this step for every nail.
3. Leave the acetone-soaked cotton balls on for 15 minutes.
4. Remove the cotton balls while pressing them against your nails and wiping away the remaining powder.

When applied and taken care of properly, dip powder manicure can last up to a month. However, is this manicure good for your nails? Or does it has any side effects? Let’s find out.

Cons Of Dip Powder Manicure

Don’t worry. Dip powder manicure does not have any long-term side effects on your nails. However, there are a few temporary side effects that you might encounter if you get it done regularly. These are:

• Dipping the nails in the bottle of colored powder is unsanitary as it can become a breeding ground for bacteria and germs.
• Dip powder manicure might damage the protective seal of your nails by dehydrating it. However, your nails grow it back once you remove the polish.
• If not removed in the proper manner, it can damage your nails.
• Trimming the cuticles too deep or pushing them too far can cause nail infections.

Quick Tip

Dip powder manicure may damage the nails. Therefore, maintain a gap of at least a month between your manicure sessions to give your nails time to recover.

Infographic: Difference Between Gel, Acrylic, And Dip Powder Nails

With so many nail products in the market, it can be tough to tell one apart from the other. The infographic below breaks down the differences between the three most popular nail products — gel, acrylic, and dip powder nails. Check it out now!

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Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can you use dip powder on short nails?

Yes, you can easily use dip powder for short nails.

How much do dip powder nails cost?

A dip powder manicure costs 30$ to 50$ in a salon, while an at-home dip powder costs 20$ to 60$.

Can you add length (tips) to dip nails?

Yes, you can use nail dip extensions to add more length to your nails.

Does dip powder stain nails?

Yes, you can get stains from dip powder. You can use a nail polish remover or warm water to remove the stain gently.

Does dip powder make your nails weak?

Yes, dip powder may temporarily dehydrate and damage your nails.

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

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Dip powder nails are the latest trend in nail art. They last longer than gel nails and are more durable. Learn why they are better than their gel counterparts in this video.

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Dr. Sameeksha ChandMBBS, MD DVL

   

Dr. Sameeksha Chand Malhotra is a board-certified dermatologist with 10 years of experience. She is well versed in general dermatology, procedural dermatology, and aesthetic dermatology and certified in permanent makeup and microblading. She has a special interest in diseases like acne, alopecia, psoriasis, vitiligo and eczema. She has worked at esteemed institutions like Army College of Medical Sciences (Delhi), Base...more

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