Today, there are countless ways to perform a DIY manicure at home that is salon-caliber. Naturally, you have the option of using traditional polish in a variety of seasonal hues, but there are also a lot of gel kits, nail stickers, and even dip powder kits that can help you achieve the look you’ve always wanted.
In fact, experts recommend dip powder kits as one of the most practical do-it-yourself choices out there. Nail art gear founder Lina Buk claims that dip nails are secure, odorless, strong, and long-lasting. Additionally, she adds, “you can even find dip powders enhanced with vitamins and calcium.” They are also simple to apply and remove. Furthermore, unlike gel nails, dip nails don’t require the use of UV or LED lamps to cure. “The risk of damage to your nails is lower with dip nails because they are glued together and allowed to air dry.” Additionally, there is a virtually infinite variety of shades available, which is fantastic for people who enjoy nail art.
What is Nail Dipping Powder?
Press-on nails are a transient nail enhancement that may only last for two to three days if improperly applied, or up to a week if properly applied, which entails thoroughly cleaning the nail plate to remove any dead skin and oils. Press-ons require extreme caution because fungus can easily grow if there are any air pockets where the glue did not adhere to the nail plate, according to Aaron. But with dip-powder nails, you can be certain of complete coverage, eliminating the possibility of fungus, and they last much longer.
Benefits and Limitations
What precisely are dip-powder nails, then? According to Syreeta Aaron, a manicurist, and LeChat Nails educator, “They’re another method that is used to harden your natural nails or to add length just like you can with gel or acrylic.” Dip-powder nails are typically applied using a straightforward three- to the five-step procedure; prep and polish are obviously excluded. We describe how to apply and remove these dip-powder nail kits in the FAQ section down below.
Dip-Powder Versus Gel Nails
The longevity of gel polishes sets them apart from dip-powder nails. “Compared to dip-powder, you might still experience some breakage on your natural nails with gel polish. Because the product is much thicker and causes less breakage, the durability is much better, according to Aaron. She does, however, point out that dip-powder and gel builders are very similar. “The thickness and strength of the nail will determine how much product you use with the gel builder.”
Dip-Powder Versus Press-On Nails
Press-on nails are a transient nail enhancement that may only last for two to three days if improperly applied, or up to a week if properly applied, which entails thoroughly cleaning the nail plate to remove any dead skin and oils. Press-on requires extreme caution because fungus can quickly grow if there are any air pockets where the glue did not adhere to the nail plate, according to Aaron. But with dip-powder nails, you can be certain of complete coverage, eliminating the possibility of fungus, and they last much longer.
SNS Dipping Powders French Nail Dip Kit
Signature Nail System, or SNS, is a top-notch salon brand. Because SNS is the same brand that my neighborhood nail salon uses, I was eager to try it. SNS uses gentle chemicals and incorporates vitamins into each of its formulas to nourish nails.
Although this kit comes with everything you need to perform a french manicure, you can use it with any color dip you like. The unique nail dip tray in this kit was what I enjoyed using the most.
According to SNS brand, their dip tray provides the best “smile line,” or the white tip from a french manicure. I didn’t have to worry about the white line appearing differently on each nail because it was simple to create the ideal white line by dipping it into the tray guide.
The dip powder itself was incredibly simple to use, and the instructions were straightforward. You’ll need to take a few more steps when using french tips than if you just wanted to apply one color all over. I spent about 20 minutes on the entire process, about 1/3 less time than I would have needed to complete a gel manicure at home.
ANC Professional Nail Dip System Kit
An additional well-liked brand in salons is the ANC Professional Nail Kit. Amazing Nail Concepts is the brand name, and youtube makeup artists love their nail dip system.
Although the packaging is fairly straightforward, they do have a very unique nail dipping tray. Because it has a great guide to placing the french tip curve on your nails, it is known as the “Dip n Curve.”
By the time I used this kit, I had grown rather tired of french manicures. Despite this, using the ANC tray was a pleasure. In about 20 minutes, I finished my french manicure. The manicure lasted for a record-breaking 18 days! It didn’t chip at all, but it needed to be redone because of a small area of discoloration near my thumbnail (I’m not sure if it was caused by cooking).
The pink color that was a part of this package was also something I really liked. Although ANC sells some cool powder colors and glitters, their prices are higher than those of the Kirara Sky brand dips.
Full System For French or Natural Set by DipWell Nails
One of the first acrylic dip powders on the market, the DipWell Nail dipping powder system aims to make nail dipping simple for everyone. It’s simple to determine which step is next thanks to the attractive packaging and numbered labels on each of the five nail polishes. This system makes it simple to apply a natural or french manicure because it includes several powders (Base & Finish Essential Powder, French White, Natural, Sheer Pink, Natural Pink, and Midnight Pink).
Given that this kit does not include a french nail dip tray, I chose to use the midnight pink shade. The tray is not a requirement if you want to perform a french manicure with this kit, but it makes things a lot simpler. I spent around 20 minutes giving myself a cute manicure by following the directions.
Before the manicure appeared to have grown out, it lasted two weeks. I had a small chip on my thumb, but I believe I made a mistake when applying. I added an additional dip to the jar because the midnight pink isn’t very dark, and the result was much better.
Kiss Salon Dip Color System Kit
For those who want to try dip powder without spending a lot of money, this affordable option is fantastic, according to nail technician Syreeta Aaron, a LeChat Nails Educator. (She does point out that the results might not be quite as good as what you’d get with other products, though.) However, this is a good option if you just want to test the waters with dip powder or aren’t concerned about the results lasting a very long time. Although other colors are available, the kit only comes with one color, a nude pink.
Revel Dip Powder Starter Kit
Aaron claims that while it is not professional-grade, it is “good quality for a DIY option” and that it is a good choice for beginners using dip powder. Despite the fact that the dipping powder only comes in one shade, we appreciate the fact that you can select it. (And there are more than 200 dip colors available.) Additionally, as a bonus for beginners, this kit includes every tool and accessory you could possibly need to master the dipping process, even cotton balls.
