How To Choose Between Dip Powder And Acrylic Nails
Before using the dip system, Aaron always likes to know what her clients long-term care wishes are for their nails. Does the client wish to be as natural as possible or would they care to extend the nails with tips? she muses. Are they okay soaking off with every visit? Do they want natural colored nails or a color polished look? These questions determine whether dip or acrylic is best. For clients that are accustomed to gel polish on their natural nails, Aaron says that an upgrade to the dip system is perfect. These clients are already used to soaking off every two to three weeks and with dip powder, it would be no different, she explains. For clients that are used to acrylic nails, I only suggest dip powder to them when its time for a new set. So when soaking off for a new set I begin the consultation by first looking at the condition of the clients nails and asking: Do you want to keep your natural nails and if so at what length? Depending on their answer, Aaron will recommend dip powder, as its typically gentler than classic acrylic.
How Do You Apply Dip Powder Nails
Dip powder nails typically follow a simple step by step process. You start by applying your base liquid like you would a nail polish , and then dip your finger in the powder. The powder bonds to the glue and hardens into even color. Brush off any excess powder that didnt harden. Then apply activator liquid. Activator hardens the powder and helps quickly dry it out for the next coat. Wait a few seconds between each step. Once activator dries you can choose any top-coat youd like to go over your dip nails, whether it be gel or matte. For a much more detailed tutorial you can follow our dip nail powder tutorial.
Should You Try Dip Powder Nails
If you’re already fond of more permanent mani solutions, Marton contends that there’s no reason you shouldn’t give dip powder a shot. They’re equally healthy to gels and basic acrylics that are already out, she says. Just make sure you’re checking packaging and asking your manicurist what brand they’re using. Another thing to consider is how you like the finish of your nails. Gel manicures look more like traditional nail polish onmeaning they work better for nail art designswhile dip nails tend to look a little thicker on your nail and lend themselves well to solid colors and ombré finishes.
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How The Dip Powder Process Works
The process is pretty simple, which means this could be a great option for at-home manicures. Not having to hit up a nail salon to get an acrylic or gel polish done would certainly save some dough. You also dont need to worry about dust inhalation, as you do with acrylics or with UV exposure, as you do with a gel manicure.
And, perhaps one of the biggest selling points is that the color is applied to your nail in powder form, so if you get it on your skin it wont stick like a typical nail polish will.
Check out how simple the dip powder process is below:
After dipping your nails into the powder, you seal the color with a protective clear polish. Its an easy process, and the nails dry instantly!
And it has impressive resultsreviews say it can last up to two to four weeks. Nor do you have to go to your local nail salon and shell out big bucks for the procedure. Many companies sell kits that allow you to apply dip powder at home, such as Kiara Sky Professional Nails.
Everything You Ever Needed To Know About Dip Powder Manicures
A gel manicure that lasts two weeks is impressive, but one that can hold up for a whole month? Pinch yourself because youre not dreaming. Enter dip powder nails: a long-wear manicure that lasts up to four weeks without using a UV light to set the polish.
This manicure is perfect if you chip a nail every time you wash the dishes, or if youre worried that regular gel manicures are ruining your nails. Even though dip powders are having a moment right now because the process is totally grammable, the concept is nothing new. Dip powder manicures have been around for awhile, but they were formally dubbed glue manicures because of the adhesive thats used to help the powder stick to the nail.
The first step of a dip powder manicure is prepping the nail. This includes cuticle care, cleansing, and dehydration. That this is all done dry because the powder best adheres to dehydrated nails. After the cuticles are pushed back and the nail plate is clear, a dehydrating product like 99-percent alcohol is used to wipe nails clean. Next comes the actual dipping.
Once the dipping is done, the nails are buffed and filed down to a smooth finish, and a top coat is applied.
Youre probably thinking, But is it healthier than gel manicures?.
They are similar in that both provide an extra layer of protection to natural nails. As mentioned dip nails dont require UV/LED light and are typically a much quicker process to apply from start to finish.
$20.00
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What Are The Benefits
Naturally, one of the biggest benefits to the dip powder nails is the simple fact that it is a remarkably durable treatment. As Glamour has said, Dip powder nails are somewhere between a regular mani and a fake nail, with one of the key pros being that it is a way to get a manicure that lasts for two full weeks or more.
The Pros And Cons Of A Dip Powder Manicure
Within the last 20 years, gel and acrylic manicures have been rising in popularity because they can last up to two weeks. But there is another method making the manicure rounds: dip-powdered nails. Although dip powders seem like a new trend, the technique has been around since the 1980s.
The process of getting a dip manicure or DYIng it at home is different than other manicures you’ve experienced. Unlike gel, which requires UV rays to cement the polish, or acrylic, dipped manicures use pigmented powder. First, a base coat and a sealant is applied from a small container of the color you’ve selected. A nail technician will then paint on both coats, shaping it to the contours of your nail. Some brands claim that the products are “healthy” for the nail, as there are vitamins within the formulas. The manicure can sometimes last up to a month, but just how healthy is it?
The first thing to watch out for is the method by which the powder is applied. Some nail technicians will dip your nails directly into the container this is how the manicure earned its name versus painting the pigment on with a brush. This is unsanitary because of germs that can be picked up on the nail from dipping it into the bottle. If you choose to get this manicure done, make sure your manicurist is actually painting on the base, pigment, and sealant coats, not dipping.
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Activate Buff And Finish
One of the best parts of a step-by-step guide to ombre nails using dip powder is reaching the last step and seeing the final product. You will need to apply an activator to the nail. Make sure to apply this thoroughly over the full nail, then wait three minutes for it to harden. The activation process is important because, without this, the nail will not dry properly. After you have added the activator, file and shape the nail a bit more.
Next, you will need to buff out the nail. Once you have completed all these steps, you should clean the nails by either washing them or using alcohol wipes. This makes sure the nails are completely clean for the final step. You can then apply a coat of Step 4 Sealer over the entire nail. Give it three minutes, and repeat. And just like that, you have completed your ombre dip powder nails!
Shop around special retailers for dip powder products to make sure you get the best quality options. This will make your process all the better and will ensure you are working with non-harmful products.
How Do You Apply Dip Powder Nail Polish At Home
- Prep the nail by pushing the cuticles back and filing the nail into your desired shape.
- Use a cleanser to remove oil and dirt from the nail bed.
- Apply a base coat to the nail once nails are clean and dry.
- Dip into powder color and use a duster brush to remove the excess powder.
- Repeat the entire process: double dunking ensures full coverage and a stronger finish for a chip-resistant manicure.
- Finally, paint nails with the activator, which bonds the color powder into a lacquered gloss, and apply a top coat for extra strength.
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So Are Sns Nails Better Than Gel Or Regular Polish
According to celebrity nail artist Gina Edwards, there are a number of reasons why someone would opt for SNS nails instead of the standard polish or gel, and the whole no UV light thing is certainly one of the biggies.
If youre sensitive to chemical odors or have skin allergies, you’ll definitely love this method, but really SNS nails work well for anyone who wants a long-lasting manicure that doesnt involve gel. The only caveat is for anyone with any sort of contact dermatitis, who should speak to their dermatologist before going in for a dip.
Has The Same Base As Acrylics
Many might consider dip powder a safer alternative to acrylics. But essentially, “dip powder is an acrylic powder,” says Evelyn Lim, chief educator of Paintbox. That’s because the two share the same base ingredient: acrylic ester polymers. While dip powder doesn’t lay on as thick as acrylics, both are strong materials that can have adverse effects on the natural nailspecifically, they can be quite heavy on the nail beds, sometimes suffocating the area and leading to irritation.
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Is Dip Powder Bad For Your Nails Pros & Cons Of The Faux
Dip powder is hailed as the mani with staying powermany even deem it the “healthier” faux-nail procedure, as it doesn’t involve that harmful UV light associated with gels. It’s received a bunch of hype, but how does dip powder get on with the clean beauty community? Ahead, we list the pros and cons of this long-lasting mani.
Can You Do Dip Powder Nails At Home
Yup, you totally can. Just keep in mind that at-home dip powder kits require some serious patience and time . If youre a little hesitant, go to a salon for your first dip powder manicurethat way you can get a feel for the process and end result before you get all DIY with it.
Of course, if youre willing to pay attention to every direction and detail and are prepared to take your time with it, definitely take a stab at an at-home dip powder manicure. Below, four top-rated dip powder kitsall of which include the proper base coats, top coat, and moreto get you started:
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How Does Nail Dip Work
The name dip powder basically explains the process. First, a base coat is applied, and the nail is dipped into a powder. The process is repeated a couple of times depending on how many coats you want. Then, the rough, powdery layers are transformed into a smooth, glossy finish once a sealant is applied.
What Came First: Acrylic Or Dipping Powder
Modern acrylic nails were invented in the late 1970s, much earlier than dip nail powder. Oddly enough, dentistry had a lot to do with the invention of acrylic powder. Dentists used a similar powder concoction to fix their patients teeth, so it wasnt much of a surprise when a dentist patented the first ever acrylic nail system brand, Patti Nails.
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Here Is Our Tier List Of Nail Polish Methods That Will Strengthen Your Nails From Best To Worst
Overall, dipping powder is the clear winner for nail strengthening. It is no wonder people report stronger nails after using it! If you are wanting to repair your damaged nails after a long acrylic session, think about using dip powder as an alternative for a while. Just be sure to pick a brand that includes vitamins in their powder and healthier chemicals in the dip system. Look for 9-FREE or 21-FREE dip system liquids for happier nails.
From your experience, which nail polish method has been the best for your nail health and strength? Let us know in the comments!
Doesn’t Require Uv Light
The main praise with dip powder is that it doesn’t involve any UV rays to cure the formula into that candy-shell lacquer. In that regard, dip powder may be a better option than gel manicures: One study found that just 10 minutes under a UV nail lamp produces as much energy as the daylong limit recommended for outdoor workers.
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Many Salons Don’t Carry The Treatment Due To Sanitation Concerns
“A huge risk for dip nail manicures is sanitation. It is incredibly unsanitary for multiple clients to dip their fingers in the same container of powder, even pouring the product over multiple clients nails and allowing the product powder to fall back into the container is an easy way for nail infections to be passed between clients. If you notice techs applying the dip powder in either of those ways, LEAVE and go to a different salon.”
How Is It Different From Gel And Acrylic
There are some significant differences from dip powder and gel and acrylic nails. One of the major differences between the powder and the gel are the use of UV lamps. Gel manicures require you to put your nails under a UV lamp which cures and solidifies the polish. Dip powder nails dont require the use of any UV lamps, as they dry completely by air and fairly fast. Dip powder is different from acrylic because of its application process and durability. The process and the sealants of using dip powder gives the nail a strength that acrylics dont have. Dip powder manicures can last from four to six weeks, whereas acrylics last usually around two weeks.
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What Are Powder Dip Nails
The powder seems magic, but the articles Ive read say it is acrylic powder. A base coat is applied and then the nails are dipped into the powder. Another layer of polish is applied and the nails are dipped again. The chemical reaction that occurs between the polish and the powder means it dries instantly and creates a tough, durable layer immediately. The powder they used on me was clear, but they also come in different colors. The benefit of clear powder is that I can change my polish color as often as I want. I actually opted to get a gel coat on top, not realizing there was colored powder.
First, a base coat is applied, and the nail is dipped into a powder. The process is repeated a couple of times depending on how many coats you want. Then, the rough, powdery layers are transformed into a smooth, glossy finish once a sealant is applied. The best part: You dont have to worry about the possibility of skin damage from UV lamps. Unlike the classic gel manicure, it dries instantly.
Is Dip Powder Safe For Your Nails
Overall, yes. As mentioned in the drawbacks section, there are pros and cons to every nail treatment. In addition to what was mentioned there, Aaron says that the one thing she strongly recommends when considering dip powder is to evaluate the health of your nails first. When DIY-ing, you never want to dip into a fresh pot if you have any sort of nail fungus going on. Whats more, she says not to share your powder with other people in your household unless youre pouring it into their own separate container. This will nix the likelihood of any infections arising as a result. Like any nail service, back-to-back dip powder use can weaken your nails, so it’s best to give your nails at least a week of recovery between services .
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How To Remove Dip Powder Nails At Home
Dip powder manicures are long-lasting, but that comes at a cost: The removal process is trickier than swiping on nail polish remover as you would for regular nail polish. Knowing that, you might talk yourself out of a dip powder appointment at the thought of having to go back to the salon weeks later to have it removed. If you dread spending time and money on a follow-up appointment, your best bet is to learn how to remove dip powder at home.
If you’re familiar with dip powder manicures, you know they differ from gel manicures, another style of manicure that similarly offers two-ish weeks of chip-free color. Dip powder manicures involve applying an acrylic powder and then hardening it with a clear sealant, explains Elizabeth Garcia, a celebrity nail artist who’s partnered with CliqOnU. Dip powder can be applied to either your natural nails or over nail tips. “There’s no need for an LED or UV light,” explains Garcia. On the other hand, gel polish “can only be cured with an LED or UV light,” she says. Although the two differ when it comes to application, the removal process is very similar. For both, you buff the surface of your nails, soak cotton in acetone, wrap your fingers , and allow them to soak.
