What is Dipped Nails (all the pros & cons of a dip powder manicure)

Everything You Should Know Before Getting A Dip Powder Manicure

The nail industry does not stand still, and every season there are new trends in nail design.

The hot trend of 2022 is dip powder manicures.

Fast, simple, long-lasting, and safe – this is what manufacturers of various dip systems promise. The gel-powder coating system has been developed for those who appreciate not only beauty but also health.

Powder for nails with fixative and activator strengthens nails and nourishes them with vitamins.

So if you wanna join the trend next time you go to your nail salon, here is everything you need to know about dip powder manicures.

Learn what are the best dip nail starter kits, how to remove dip powder nails, and the best nail care so they last for up to two to three weeks. Here’s how to get the hottest nails trend of 2022.

What are dipped nails?

Standing between a regular mani and a fake acrylic nail, the dip powder nail trend is making a buzz among fashionistas who enjoy always staying on-trend, even when it comes to their nails.

Contrary to popular belief, powder manicure (also known as SNS nails) is not new in nail aesthetics. It actually gained some popularity around the 80s, along with the still gaining momentum gel and acrylic.

Now with the help of dip powder, you can not only strengthen the nail plate but also easily create a spectacular design.

How the Dip Powders Coating System Works

By itself, a jar of powder is a useless product. A high-quality manicure can be achieved only when using all means.

The coverage system includes prep gel, base coat, powder, sealer, and topcoat.

The results are long-lasting nails that could last up to a whole month.

Dip Nails System

Depending on the manufacturer of the gel powder, the name or list of base products may change.

• Preparing gel (i.e. activator). In its function, it is similar to a primer, but does not penetrate into the nail and does not violate the acid-base balance of the nail;
• Base. The coating is responsible for good adhesion of powder and nail and plate alignment.
• Powder. Colored or transparent powder for giving nails desired shade. The transparent powder is used for general strengthening nails, color – for design;
• Sealer. Acts as an activator. Allows you to connect the base layer and powder;
• Top Coat. In simple words – a fixer. Makes coverage less resistant to physical impact, guarantees shade retention, and adds shine.

Difference Between Dip Powder Nails and Gel Manicures

Nail tech has come a long way.

Similar to gel nail polish (where you use a base coat activator and finish it off with a topcoat sealant), you dip your nails into a little jar of powder in your chosen color (we love this hot pink nails for a cute Spring nail color).

Alike your regular nail polish, gel polishes are painted on, but take a step further and require UV or LED light to harden. Dip powder, on the other hand, involves dipping each finger into an acrylic-colored powder, followed by painting on an activator polish as a topcoat.

Such a manicure is something between artificial nails and a regular coating. Some masters simply call it “lightweight acrylic”.

Creating such a funky nail design does not require special skills or extensive experience. Even at home, following the recommendations, you can make spectacular-looking dip powder nails.

The Dip Powder Manicure Process

1. Dip each finger into the clear powder*
2. Brush off any excess powder
3. Finish it off by setting it with a protective clear polish
4. Repeated these steps onto your nails until they are all fully coated and hardened.

*P.S. If you’re going to a nail salon, keep an eye out to avoid dipping your nails into the powder (for hygienic purposes). Instead, your nail technician should brush the powder directly onto your nail, or alternatively pour powder from the pot into a Dixie cup for single use.

The reason many salons avoid this is that it is more wasteful. But especially in a Covid Era, one can never be overly cautious with bacteria (and you might otherwise risk getting a nai infection).

Pros & Cons of Dip Powder Nails

Now lets go over a few of the benefits (and drawbacks) of dip powder nails.

6 Incredible Benefits of Powder Manicure

Compared to conventional manicure and gel polish, powder manicure has a number of advantages:

1. dip powder has no unpleasant odor;
2. the product contains only safe non-toxic substances;
3. dip powder contains vitamins and calcium;
4. powder manicure lasts a minimum of two weeks (going up to a month, with no UV light required)
5. powder coating on the nails does not peel off, no chips are formed on the manicure;

The Drawbacks

1. Hygiene issues in some salons: If you do your dip nail at home this shouldn’t be a problem. If you go to a nail salon know that dipping everyone’s nails into the same jar of powder is a risk of infection.
   • How to avoid this: it’s important that you ensure that they place some of the powder into a separate bowl for each client’s application (alternatively, the ”brush-on application method” also works). 
2. Did you know that some people are allergic to dip powder? That’s because the glue used for dip powder nails is often a monomer, a common allergen that can cause irritation along the nail beds.
   • How to solve this: If your skin starts reacting, it’s best to consult a professionaln dermatologist.
3. Removal can damage nails: Lastly, removal can be a pain. If 10 to 15 minutes of soaking isn’t doing the trick, then filling will be needed, which can further cause damage to your natural nails. 
   1. How to solve this: Give your nails space to breathe in-between applications. It’s always best to avoid continually using powder nails in excess. 
4. Dip powder nails might look bulkier than regular nail polish: Such as with gel nails, dip powder nails are not as seamless as your regular weekly nail polish. Not properly applied (i.e. if you apply the excess powder onto your nail, you might find yourself with a very thick, bulky look)
   • How to avoid this: Tap off the excess powder from your nail before moving on to the sealant.

How to apply dip powder?

Coating nails with dip powder is an easy and relatively quick process.

Creating a manicure involves several stages:

1. First, you need to prepare the nail plate by shaping the free edge of the nail and removing the natural shine with a 220 grit grinder. Shake off the dust.
2. Apply a dehydrator, and wait for it to dry completely (2-3 seconds).
3. Then apply Base Top from the cuticle to the free edge.
4. Immediately, without waiting for the base to dry, dip the nail into a jar of dip powder of the selected color. If the work takes place in the salon, then the nail plate is sprinkled on top.
5. Shake off excess powder with a special brush.
6. For more intense color, repeat steps 3 and 4 two to three times.
7. When the desired shade is reached on the powder layer, you need to apply the activator and wait until it dries completely, which takes no more than 3 seconds.
8. This is followed by another layer of base coat.
9. And the final layer, which makes the nails glossy, will be the Top Coat finish. At the end of the process, a special oil can be applied to the cuticle. The powder manicure is ready.

Video: DIY Dip Powder Manicure

As with every post at La Belle Society, we love sharing the best videos from around the net to help illustrate what we talk about in a post.

That said, here are two Dip Powder Nail video resources to help you better understand the dip nails trend.

How to do Dip Powder for Beginners, by Kiara Sky Nails

Why Dip Powder Nails Are Better Than Gel, by Refinery29

How to Remove Dip Nails

Dip nails themselves are not harmful to your nails. The problem might lie in its removal process. The dip powder nail is closely related to gel nails (both require a removal process that can be tough on your natural nails).

To properly remove dip powder nails you need to use 100% acetone on your nails, which can damage your nails.

That’s because, the acetone removes more than the nail color, potentially peeling off layers of the nail. This can cause your nails to thin over time and excess usage.

If you have thin nails, don’t forget to care for them by intaking the right Vitamins and calcium to strengthen your natural nails. Keeping your nails healthy is super important for beautiful and durable results.

To avoid damaging and weakening your nails, we of course advise you to visit a professional technician for the best results. But regardless of your preferred removal process, keep in mind it is always best to space some time in between your dip powder manicure to give your nails space to breathe and recover.

Ready to Try Dip Powder Nails?

If you dream of strong spectacular nails, then be sure to try the trendy dip manicure. Unleash your imagination, you can create your own unique innovative design.

Remember that well-groomed hands are the hallmark of every woman, which is why it is so important to pay great attention to your nails and keep your nail polish well kept at all times.

If you love everything nails, we got so many nail ideas to inspire you for Summer and Spring, such as these flower nails for spring or hot neon nail colors for summer.

Other Nail Ideas You’ll Like

• 30+ Adorable Cotton Candy Nails Designs That You’ll Love
• 35+ Cutest Colored French Tips Nail Art Ideas To Copy
• 30+ Gorgeous Black Nail Art Designs With Stones To Make A Statement