Try dipping powder nails to change up your manicure routine. There are many colors and styles to choose from, all of which look natural and durable. You’ll want to think about your budget and schedule, as well as the pros and cons of any manicure. This is a great alternative to nail polish, gel and full acrylic. Before you dive in, let us run down everything you should know about dip nail.
What are Dip Nails?
Dip nails can be a great alternative to nail polishes and acrylic nails. Basic steps include removing any existing nail polish, shaping and using a dehydrator or bond to get rid of oils and other debris. A base coat is applied, followed by a natural powder to increase the surface’s durability and thickness. The next step is to add color. After applying the basecoat, you can either pour or dip your nail in a highly pigmented, powder-like substance. This process can be repeated for every nail depending on what effect you are trying to achieve. Finish the look with an activating or sealing coat, which will harden up the powder. A topcoat is then applied to give it that beautiful shine. Dip powders can be used on natural or false nails.
Dip Nails: Pros and cons
All manicures have their pros and cons. Dip powder nails are easy to apply and take less time than acrylics or other gels. There’s also no smell, less mess if your painting skills are not up to par, and you can do a lot of DIY manicures at home. The colors are also incredibly vibrant, ranging from white glitter to subtle nudes and neon pinks. The downside is that removing the polishes can be a lengthy process and damage your nail if you don’t do it correctly. It can be costly to have them done three times a year if you go to a salon. If you’re getting them done in a salon make sure they use a brush to apply the powder, not a dip. This is because shared tubs of powder have been associated with cuticle infection.
Dip Nails vs Gel
Curing is what makes the most difference between gel and dip powder. Dip powders harden in the same way as acrylic. The basecoat, powder, or polish and activator all work together to create a reaction. Gel, on the other hand requires UV lighting to cure. So, once you’ve applied it, place your hands under a UV machine for several minutes. Dip powder nails are a quicker application than gels. Both have a similar longevity of around three weeks, before requiring retouching. Both require the same removal method, which involves filing and acetone. The choice ultimately comes down to individual preference.
How long do dip nails last?
Dip powder nails last between two and four weeks depending on your rate of nail growth. They grow instead of chipping off, like polish. This means that they won’t be as worn out when you’re ready to have them redone.
Can You Paint Over Dip Powder Nails?
It is possible to paint over dip powder nails. You can also remove it after an event, such as an interview. Use a nail polish remover that doesn’t contain acetone to remove any polish. The topcoat protects the color powder. Once you are done with the powder color, it may be necessary to add another topcoat to make sure that your nail polish is protected and has a shine. If you are painting them over regularly, a more permanent solution may be better for your needs. This way, you won’t waste money by buying a color with a longer lifespan that you don’t use.
What to do when you want to remove Dip Powder Nails?
It is best to return to the salon to have your powdered nails removed. It is quite a complicated process, but a professional nail technician can get you the best result without damaging your nail. This method is very similar to that of removing gel polish. The topcoat and some color are first filed with an electric or manual nail file. To remove the color, soak the nails in 100% acetone. This can be done by placing a cotton ball on the nail and covering it with foil. Let it rest for 10 minutes. The color will be completely gone by then and you can start again. Remember that acetone is dehydrating. So, treat your hands to extra cuticle oils. Lizard-like hands will not look good with the most beautiful nails.
Dip Powder Nails Kits
Dip powder kits will give you stylish and sexy nail designs at home. Online, you can find dozens of different options and color combinations. To begin, you’ll require some basic manicure tools, such as a cuticle trimmer or stick, cotton balls, acetone nail varnish remover and a file. When it comes time to choose a kit, make sure you have a color powder, activator and top coat. A soft makeup brush or kabuki, natural powder, brush restorer and vitamin serum or cuticle oil are all helpful but not necessary extras. Home kits are great because the bottles have numbers so that you can easily remember what and when to use them.
Dip Nail Designs & Ideas
Ombre Dip Nails
Combining two colors or more will create an ombre look. This look is easy to achieve because of the nature of fine powder. You can use a variety of techniques. You can use a brush and gently apply the color to the nail. If you are doing this at home, it is also possible to apply your base coat first, and then the color. Then, brush off the excess and bounce your tip in the second color. Build the intensity of the shade on the nail to achieve the desired result. There are many color options. You can go for a more feminine style with pastels or a brighter look by using fluoro blue and yellow.
French Dip Nails
French manicures have a timeless and classic look. This design can be created with ease using white and pale pink powder. After you’ve prepared your nails, apply the basecoat to the whole bed. Dip the entire nail in the base pink color. Continue this procedure twice more until the color is well-built. Finish as normal. Dip the tip of your finger into the white powder after the pink is complete. By adjusting your finger angle as you dip, you can alter the shape of the line. Vertically dipping your finger into the powder gives you a horizontal, straight line. Alternately, you can change the angle of your powder to a 45 degree angle for a beautiful smile line. Once you have the desired look for your french tips, you can apply an activating liquid followed by a topcoat. This is a great style to wear for work or casually, and even at a wedding if you’re looking beautiful but still natural.
Dip your nails with tips
Dip powders can be used to create long and stylish nails, even if yours are short or you bite them. You only need to add the tips. This is similar to the process of adding lengths for gel or acrylic nails. After the natural nail is polished and shaped, a tip can be glued onto it. You can choose any tip style. You can choose from more natural shapes like round or oval or you can go for something wilder and select a lipstick, coffin or stiletto shape. After the glue has dried, the nail tip is shaped and blended into the nail. After that, a few coats of powder clear are applied to add durability and thickness. You can then continue with the colors of your choice.
White Dip Nails
A white powder dip manicure will make you look so bright and clean. A full-white nail is a statement without all the drama that dark colors like black or plum can bring. This is a great summer color and goes well with light colors like lavender, pale denim and buttercream yellow. The powder is less likely to yellow because of the acrylic polymers and hyperpigmentation in it.
Pink Dip Nails
Pink is a color that comes in countless shades. Choose a cotton candy pink or a vibrant, bright pink worthy of Barbie. You can choose a pastel shade or a soft peach if you prefer something softer. If you want to be bold, try something like a bright fluoro or a dark pink with plum-toned undertones.
Red Christmas dip Nails
A fun design in red will bring some holiday cheer to your hands during the holidays. Choose something easy, like bright red glitter. This will last you until your New Years Eve party. You can add a bit of gold to a red classic nail or have your nail technician paint on some finely-tipped snowflakes. You can also do an ombre inspired by Christmas, mixing up red, green and/or silver to create a unique and elegant style.
Cute Dip Nails
Dip nails are a great way to show off your personality. This one is inspired by fun flamingos, and mixes various shades of blue with pink glitter. You can easily achieve the verticle-ombre using the dusting technique, where you use a soft bristled brush to tap the glitter along the edge of your nail. You can also create cute nail designs by putting different colors on each finger. Choose a color from a rainbow, or choose different shades of a single color. You could also channel any element of nature. What about macaws in different colors? Combine blue, yellow and a sprinkle of green glitter to get the look. Watermelon is your favourite fruit. Pink and green nails with black glitter flecks are a great way to show your love for this fruit. The only limitation is your imagination!
Glitter Dip Nails
There is always an occasion to use glitter. There is an enormous selection of glitter powders, which means you will be able to get your fairy dust fix. The density of glitter dip powders is one of its best features. When it comes to nail polishes, they can be a bit hit or miss when painting glitter. But powder is the answer. Choose a white glitter for a ice queen look, or if you want sultry navy. There are also classics such as gold, bronze and silver as well as pinks and reds. There’s a choice for every sparkly desire.
Black Dip Nails
Black is timeless. Black is timeless. They are extremely polished and glossy, making them a brilliant choice. They don’t even chip so there’s no need to worry about your nails looking old and like they were from a My Chemical Romance show. You can keep it simple by using plain black. Add some sparkle to your nails with black glitter or add depth with dark charcoal. You’ll look fierce no matter what you do with your black nails.
Dip Powder Nail Designs
Dip powder can be used to create some very creative designs. It is easy to make sharp lines when you dip, and this lends well to designs like the rainbow arrow tip. Start at the tip of your arrow and dip higher in different colors. You can change the angle to create abstract shapes or alternate forms. Marbling is another great technique to use. After you have applied the base color, add another shade of powder to a separate bowl. Use a cuticle or toothpick to create the pattern you want, and then gently press the nail onto the powder. For a unique and distinctive result, finish with the usual shiny topcoat.