There are so many fantastic nail treatments available now in salons and for home use. In this series we’ve reviewed the professional manicure systems for use on natural nails. In this post we continue this series on selecting the perfect natural nail manicure system for your lifestyle, examining the latest trend in manicures: the dip powder manicure.
I love (sarcasm) how people think this is a new thing, when I’ve been doing dip acrylic manicures on my own nails since I was a teenager in the late 90’s. It’s not a new technology, but a revived product, much as gels were in the early 2000’s. And please, please don’t call them “SNS nails”! That’s genericization like “Band-Aid” or “Kleenex” or “Shellac” nails, and all the great brands of dip systems on the market deserve better.
Pet peeves aside, this is one of my favorite techniques. After applying a prep or primer to the natural nail, the tech applies a cyanoacrylate-based resin base coat, then dips the nail into the extra fine acrylic powder. This process is process is repeated once or twice more, then an activator may be used before applying the cyanoacrylate-based top coat. The results:
- Less filing than traditional acrylic application
- Thinner than traditional acrylic application
- Lighter than traditional acrylic application, similar to gels
- More natural-looking than traditional acrylic application, like gel overlays
- Stronger than gels, though they are not a flexible
- Less odor than traditional acrylic application
- Durable
- Soak-off like traditional acrylics, though typically faster
And, with dip systems you have options:
- May be combined with fiberglass nail wraps
- Easy to repair split or broken nails
- Polish is optional with colored powders
- You can use multiple colors of powder for long-lasting nail art
Some things to consider, though:
- This is not a gel system, and don’t let anyone tell you it is. These systems are straight-up glue and powder. No lamp necessary.
- Ads might say these last four to six weeks but, trust me, you won’t like the look of your grown out enhancements after two or three weeks.
- Don’t let anyone tell you this is a natural or chemical-free manicure. While the ingredients aren’t likely to cause an allergic reaction, they do involve chemicals!
- It’s been said that it’s not sanitary to dip multiple clients in the same powder. I find it very hard to believe that any infectious organisms are going to live for very long in dip powder (as it cannot in nail polish). However, the pour or sprinkle techniques are the safest for everyone.
Most people I know personally that have worn dip powder nails love and recommend them as much as I do. Dip nails are a great alternative to gel polish. Ready to try for yourself?
Some professional brands to find at the salon are:
Gelish Dip – (My personal favorite.) You can choose from 120 colors and counting,
and they match the Gelish gel polish and Morgan Taylor traditional nail polish colors, to cover all your options for manis and pedis!
Gelish Dip- OPI Powder Perfection – more than 100 colors of powder are available, including the most popular OPI color ever, I’m Not Really a Waitress, with the dip system from this trusted brand.
- Signature Nail Systems Gelous – While I dislike the misleading name, this is perhaps one of the most well-known brands, you can find this system in many quick serve nail salons. We know that nails don’t breathe, and they won’t absorb vitamins that this system touts as their advantage… but the added ingredients don’t hurt anything and you have a color options enough for a new one each day!
- Kiara Sky Dip System – With over 140 powder colors, this system is very popular among DIYers and nail bloggers.
- ASP Quick Dip – 24 lovely colors in this easy-to-use system sold at Sally Beauty.
Second only to gel polish, this is one of my favorite nail products. What about you? Leave a comment below! Is this your favorite natural nail manicure product?
Smoke & Mirrors nail art blog 