What Are Dip Powder Nails?: Advantages, Finest Kits, & Extra
Let’s be sincere: Few issues are as satisfying on the earth of magnificence as a contemporary set of flawless nails. The place gel polish and acrylic extensions have had their time within the highlight, we expect it’s time dip powder nails get the identical consideration.
For those who’re one to get caught up scrolling by way of Instagram’s prime magnificence posts or are mesmerized by oddly satisfying movies on Tik Tok and YouTube, there’s a very good likelihood you’ve witnessed a dip powder course of sooner or later in your life. However, what makes dip powder such a worthy nail selection, you may ask?
To find out simply that, we chatted with a few nail professionals for the rundown on all issues dip. Forward, discover out why dip powders are value a attempt—together with their largest advantages and downsides, in addition to three all-encompassing kits to attempt the development out for your self.
What Are Dip Powder Nails?
Additionally generally known as SNS nails, the dip powder nail method includes dipping the nail into coloured powder (or brushing the dip powder onto the nail), then utilizing a transparent sealant on prime. The result’s a longer-lasting manicure that may stay chip-free for as much as a month.
As LeChat Nails Educator Syreeta Aaron factors out, dip powder nails are a hybrid between gel nail polish and acrylic extensions. “Dipped powder nails provide the flexibility of gel nails and the sturdiness of acrylic nails,” she says.
Board-certified dermatologist and nail knowledgeable Dr. Dana Stern provides to this, noting that dip powder nails, whereas at the moment fashionable, aren’t some new-fangled nail method. Relatively, they’ve been round for the reason that ‘80s and are merely comprised of a gentle-yet-effective glue paired with acrylic powder.
How Does Dip Powder Work?
Whether or not you’re getting your nails completed on the salon or doing them your self at dwelling, Aaron says that the method takes particular care and a focus. Every salon varies barely in method, however you’ll be able to anticipate the next steps to be true of most nail salons (and at-home dip powder kits):
- The nails are prepped: “Earlier than beginning any manicure you should ensure that the nails are prepped by cleansing and releasing the nail plate of any filth and oils,” Aaron says. That is additionally the place it is best to push your cuticles again and clip any hangnails, and buff the floor of the nail plate.
- Bonder is utilized: When you’ve cleaned and prepped your nails, Aaron says chances are you’ll apply a bonder in order that the product can adhere to the nail plate and reduce the possibility of lifting.
- Base and powder are utilized: “Brush on the bottom simply as should you had been sharpening your nails,” Aaron instructs, noting to go one nail at a time. When you’ve utilized the bottom coat to a single nail, dip the nail within the dipping tray of powder and repeat on every nail, ensuring to brush off any extra. Primarily based in your desired opacity and coloration depth, chances are you’ll need to re-dip your nails two to 3 occasions.
- Wait a couple of minutes, then apply topcoat: “This step is to dry and harden the product,” Aaron says. “You need to wait two to 5 minutes earlier than starting to form and file nails after making use of activator. After you form and file your nails to your required look, apply a topcoat.”
For those who’re getting your dip powder completed at a salon, your nail technician should not truly “dip” your nail into the powder pot. Whereas this was the method when this development initially launched, hygiene considerations over completely different shoppers’ nails being dipped into the identical pot have put this follow to a cease. As an alternative, your nail tech ought to brush the powder straight onto your nail or pour powder from the pot right into a Dixie cup for single-use (that is wasteful, so most salons use the brush-on methodology). This is a video demonstrating the dip powder nails course of:
Aaron says that some dip powders are thicker than others and should solely want two dips per nail, with a brand new coat of base between every. “Regular size nails could also be dipped two to 3 occasions,” she says. “For nails with extra size, chances are you’ll dip the nail three to 5 occasions. For longer nails, your first dip ought to begin on the apex (the weakest level of the nail the place you prefer to the arch).”
The Advantages of Dip Powder Nails
For those who’re somebody who values their time and loves a long-lasting nail look, dip powder nails might be proper up your alley. “The advantages of dip powder nails is that they’re extra sturdy, last more than gel polish, and might simply be completed at dwelling,” Aaron explains. “I’ve discovered myself telling shoppers that should you can polish your nails, then you’ll be able to simply do the dip system.”
- No curing with UV lights: When you end your dip powder nails with a layer of prime coat, you do not have to treatment your nails with dangerous UV lights (as is the case with gel nails).
- Straightforward to do at dwelling: There are a selection of full at-home gel nail kits accessible to be used at dwelling, and the manicurists we have tapped agree that should you can paint your nails with polish at dwelling, you are able to do dip powder nails at dwelling.
- Lasts as much as a month: Dip powder nails final a very long time. When completed correctly by knowledgeable, it is best to anticipate your nails to stay chip-free for as much as a month. Once you DIY your dip, you’ll be able to anticipate your mani to final for about two to 3 weeks.
- Infinite coloration selections: With the growth of dip powder nails, firms scrambled to offer a wide selection of coloration selections, simply as you’ll have with conventional nail polish. You should have no bother discovering powder shades to exchange your favourite lacquers.
The Drawbacks
Right here’s the place issues get a little bit tough. Relying on who you ask, the drawbacks of dip powder nails differ tremendously.
- Can look bulkier than common polish: If an excessive amount of powder goes onto the nail, you’ll be able to shortly end up with a really thick, cumbersome look. This may be prevented by tapping the surplus powder off of your nail earlier than making use of sealant.
- Hygiene points in some salons: Whereas this isn’t an issue for DIY dips, should you go to a salon, you need to make sure that they place a few of the powder right into a separate bowl for every shopper’s utility (or use the brush-on utility methodology), as dipping everybody’s nails into the identical jar of powder may very well be a way for an infection and different sanitary points.
- Some individuals are allergic to dip powder: The bonder used for dip powder nails is commonly a monomer, and in accordance with Stern, monomers are frequent allergens and might trigger irritation alongside the nail beds.
- Elimination can injury nails: Lastly, elimination generally is a ache. Whereas Aaron says {that a} easy soak-off ought to do the trick, Stern says that if 10 to fifteen minutes of soaking isn’t doing it, then injury is extra prone to happen to the nail, as submitting might be obligatory.
Dip Powder Nails vs. Gel Nails
Aaron, whereas a lover of all issues dip powder, doesn’t suppose that it’s any higher or worse in your nails than gel. Gel nails and dip powder nails final roughly the identical period of time (some manicurists argue that dip powder manicures last more, however it is dependent upon the shopper). “Crucial factor to recollect on the subject of nail care is the way you go about taking the product off,” she says. You by no means need to choose or peel your dip powder off, since you may rip away layers of keratin from the nail plate. “As an alternative, gently file the highest coat of your nails with a traditional nail file after which soak them in pure acetone (not nail polish remover) for quarter-hour,” says nail technician and nail well being knowledgeable Evelyn Lim.
Elimination apart, Aaron does level out that there’s a distinction in utility, as gel nails require a UV lamp. “My promoting level to improve shoppers to dip from gel polish is that in contrast to with gel polish there might be no bending to the nails which trigger cracks to gel polish and typically even breakage to the nails,” she shares.
Dip Powder Nails vs. Acrylic Nails
Earlier than utilizing the dip system, Aaron all the time likes to know what her shopper’s long-term care needs are for his or her nails. “Does the shopper want to be as pure as attainable or would they care to increase the nails with suggestions?” she muses. “Are they okay soaking off with each go to? Do they need pure coloured nails or a coloration polished look? These questions decide whether or not dip or acrylic is finest.” For shoppers which might be accustomed to gel polish on their pure nails, Aaron says that an improve to the dip system is ideal. “These shoppers are already used to soaking off each two to 3 weeks and with dip powder, it will be no completely different,” she explains. “For shoppers which might be used to acrylic nails, I solely counsel dip powder to them when it’s time for a brand new set. So when soaking off for a brand new set I start the session by first trying on the situation of the shoppers’ nails and asking: Do you need to hold your pure nails and in that case at what size?” Relying on their reply, Aaron will advocate dip powder, because it’s usually gentler than traditional acrylic.
How Lengthy Does a Dip Powder Manicure Final?
Get excited: As Aaron factors out, dip powder nails can final wherever from two weeks to a month relying on how laborious you might be in your nails (and the way keen you might be to cope with your nails rising in a bit on the base). For those who do your individual nails, that is nice as a result of it means much less time devoted to a beautiful nail look. And, should you get your dip powders completed, it means much less cash in the long term as a result of they don’t require as a lot upkeep.
How Do You Take away Dip Powder Nails?
Once more: You by no means need to choose or peel your dip powder off. As an alternative, “gently file off 85 % of the product with a 180/100 grit file after which soak your nails in pure acetone for 15 minutes,” says Lim. “Use an orange wooden stick and buffer to take away product. Repeat if obligatory.”
If the dip would not simply flake off from there, do not power it. Choosing and peeling at your dip powder is a recipe for catastrophe and might trigger severe injury to your nails. See our full information to eradicating your dip powder at dwelling right here.
Is Dip Powder Protected For Your Nails?
General, sure. As talked about within the drawbacks part, there are professionals and cons to each nail remedy. Along with what was talked about there, Aaron says that the one factor she strongly recommends when contemplating dip powder is to judge the well being of your nails first. When DIY-ing, you by no means need to dip right into a contemporary pot if in case you have any form of nail fungus occurring. What’s extra, she says to not share your powder with different individuals in your family until you’re pouring it into their very own separate container. This may nix the probability of any infections arising consequently.
The Finest At-House Dip Powder Kits
“I like this package as a result of it comes with all the things you want plus dip powder in numerous shades together with traditional pink, flawless white, pure, and clear,” Aaron says. “This can be a package that I’d advocate to anybody that has a love for doing their very own nails with a product of high quality.”
This reasonably priced package features a bonder, base, activator, topcoat, and a cleansing brush to make DIY dip powder nails simpler than ever. And, given the yr’s neon craze, you merely can’t go fallacious with these lovely daring colours.
This all-inclusive coloration dip powder skilled nail package guarantees all of the supplies it’s good to create distinctive dip designs with full protection. As a bonus, it comes with three restricted version colours.
This package comprises 4 well-liked hues that enable customers to create a DIY dip powder manicure at dwelling utilizing the model;s sister product, the KISS Salon Dip Shade System ($20).
