Did you know that there’s a manicure trend that lasts longer than gel polish? Yes, there is. It is called Dip Powder Manicure. Here, your nails are treated with a pigmented powder that’s got durability and long-lasting power under its belt. Yet, not all salons offer this technique for some reason, and this method was already around for years. However, this only burst into popularity in the late 2010s.
Here, we will discuss the pros and cons of Dip Powder Manicure Treatment and other truths that you need to know about this emerging alternative sensation. But before we get into the comparison part, let’s first answer how dip powder manicures are done.
Application Process
Whether you’re getting this done at home or by a nail technician, this process needs special attention and extra care. Salons may vary a little bit in techniques, but here are the steps that you need to note that most salons follow in general:
1. The nails are cleaned and prepped
The foremost step before getting to the dipping part is to prepare the base first. The hanging nails are clipped, the cuticles pushed back, and the surface of the nail plate is buffed. The drier the nail base, the better the powder and adhesives will stick.
2. The bonder is applied
After your nails are good to go, it is applied to the nail plate to protect your nails and lessen the chance of lifting.
3. The necessary base and powder are applied
Now arriving at the central part of this manicure process, the base is applied first in each nail. Then, when you are done, you may now dip your nail in the container where you put some colored powder and brush off the excess, followed by applying the adhesive.
You may want to repeat the process of powder and adhesive two to three times, depending on your choice of opacity and color intensity.
4. The last step: The topcoat
After a few minutes, when nails are dry, hardened, and ready, apply the sealer or topcoat. Your nails are now done and ready to be shown off.
Supplies Included:
The essential supplies for this manicure treatment would be:
• Nail cutter, file, and buffer
• Dip Powder Kit—base coat, dip powders, and other components like adhesives, etc.
• Brush and small containers (for dipping purposes, if necessary)
• Nail glue and tips (if needed only)
• Cotton pads
• Acetone (for removal purposes)
The Pros and Cons
Now that we have discussed the process of how you can generally do it and the supplies needed, we will now talk about the pros and cons of dip nails and treatment, discuss the benefits that it can give you, and point out some drawbacks to weigh things out.
Pros/Benefits
There will always be positive and negative outlines to balance things out. Here, we will discuss the positive points of having your nails done using the dip powder manicure treatment:
1. It is Durable
Dip powder nails can resist chipping and lifting for a bit longer than the other popular nail beautifying treatments like gel and the standard manicure. A factor contributing to its durability may come from the fact that dip powder nails are somewhere between a regular manicure and a fake nail, just as Glamour has stated.
It lasts for a full two weeks to nearly a month, especially with post-manicure care that you do for your pretty nails.
2. No UV Light is Needed
Proving to be a better choice than gel polish, dipped nails do not require UV lamps to dry them. As a result, you don’t have to worry anymore about the harmful rays of the lamps that can cause skin damage. They are dangerous to one’s health indeed.
3. They are Odor-Free
Is it appealing when you get your nails done but without smelling something funny? Of course, it is. The powders are entirely odor-free, even when the materials used are similar to the standard products.
4. You can Have a Variety of Choices and a Wide Array of Colors
Now that there is a boom in dip nail powders, companies in this industry are hurrying up to provide the public with endless color choices. The powder grains are excellent, and the colors are more vibrant than the traditional gels and acrylic nail finishes. The colors that you love in the standard lacquer are now available in these powder formats.
5. Can Be Done at Home
If you don’t have any spare time to go to the salon but want your nails done, this treatment can be done quickly at home. There are available complete starter kits online and in stores for you to try and stock up. In addition, you can check multiple step-by-step video guides on Youtube or other video platforms to find a technique that would fit you.
In a way, this can help you save that extra cash. Instead of having your treatment at the salon and paying a couple more dollars, you can now set that money aside for your following projects. Also, maybe spend those for another stash of dip powder colors.
6. Creates Less of a Mess
Nail painting, whether standard or gel, needs steady hands to create beautifully done nails. Yet, you can achieve sleek nails with less swabbing to tidy up the sides by using dip powder. Ideal application results are now achievable without you being a real pro.
Cons/Drawbacks
The cons for this dip nail manicure treatment depend on who you are asking. It is also important to point out some negativities after their positive points to help you consider things. To put things further, here are some crucial drawbacks we have rounded up:
1. The Bonding Agents Themselves
Though you might often see the dip powder nails often advertised or marketed as more natural and even more organic to a point, you might want to know some truth. First, although yes, the powders themselves can be natural, you have to remember the bonding agents. The coat or bonding resin is often full of the main product used in Krazy glue and others with similar uses.
We are pointing this out because it is something you should remain aware of, especially if you pick this because of its description as natural. To note, this is similar for gel and acrylic polishes too.
2. It can be Unsanitary
One of the things plaguing this manicure method is its sanitary issues. Some salons don’t even have this on their roster because of the case. It is highly unsanitary to have multiple clients dip in the powder pots and brush excess back to the container. This makes nail infections and the risk of bacteria passing to multiple clients very easy to do.
So, if you are in the salon, make sure to ask first if they are going to place the powder in a separate bowl enough for your fingernails and not put the excess back into the pot. If not, opt-out or go to another salon.
3. It is slightly more expensive
It is true that dip powder manicures, which professionals do, are a bit more expensive than other treatments, but rest assured, they are only for a short time. This is because prices are temporary, and with more and more experts joining the field, the tags will soon decline.
Making your dip nails last long until four weeks with good after-care is a good way of making the price worth it. Also, if you want to make the most out of it, purchase a dip powder starter kit and learn how to do it from the comforts of your home.
4. The removal can be damaging to the nails
The removal process can be quite a pain. It is a lengthy process and cannot be rushed on. Soaking your nails is not merely enough. It should be done for ten to fifteen minutes or maybe more. If that does not damage, it may likely occur afterward, as filing the nails is necessary later.
5. It Can Look Bulkier than Regular Nail Polish
Too much powder can go into your nails, giving you a very bulky look if not done correctly. You can avoid the bulkiness by tapping or brushing away all the excess before applying the sealant.
The Ruling
After weighing the pros and cons of dip nails, most professionals can safely assume that the negatives do not outweigh the positives. They also said that this treatment option seems to remain for yours to come if ever they became on par.
Because the process is simple to do and stunning results are very achievable, they can be done by everyone who wants to at home as a DIY me-time and by the professionals, of course. Just make sure that you should do them properly and safely during the removal process so you cannot harm the nails and make them brittle.
How to Remove Dip Powder Manicure?
It’s a bit amusing how the application and removal of dip powder manicures can be opposing. The easier you do your nails, the tricky it is to remove them later on. Always remember not to rush or force the process. This is to avoid messy outcomes and to protect your nails from damage.
The Materials You’ll Need Are:
• Acetone
• Aluminum foil – cut into ten small squares each that can fit your fingers
• Cotton – can be balls or pads (preferably ball type)
• Nail file and buffer
Although you can also view a video on how to remove them, here are the complete steps on the process told by the experts:
1. You should begin by filing the top layer of the fingernail and stop once the shine has been removed. This step breaks the seal placed at the topmost surface and ensures that the coating is easier to eradicate later.
2. In a bowl, soak ten pieces of cotton in the acetone. Make sure that they are saturated.
3. Put each cotton on a nail and wrap the upper portion of the fingers in the prepared aluminum foil. Essentially, this is making you “soak your nails” in acetone.
4. Allow them to soak in for ten to fifteen minutes.
5. Remove the foil and cotton while pressing down on the nail as you do. This helps remove many layers of the dip powder coatings.
6. Soak more cotton in acetone and use them to rub any nail areas that have remaining products gently. Repeat this and step five respectively in the remaining nails.
7. DO NOT scratch, pick, scrape, or force the nails’ coatings as it damages the natural ones.
8. Wash the hands gently with water and soap to remove any remaining product residues.
The Nail After Care
Before we get to the post-care part, we need to weigh in on the pros and cons of dip nails and the debate of whether or not it is a healthier option than acrylics and gels. The answer is there is no such thing. However, the pros and cons of dip nails can explain why they last longer than the other two manicure treatments mentioned earlier.
So we got that out of the way. We can now talk about the post-care of those freshly and nicely done nails. First is that you should wear protective gloves whenever you do your chores and other things that involve the usage of chemicals through excessive exposure. This protects the enhancements and the surrounding skin from getting weakened or the natural nail from being brittle.
Second, avoid alcohol-based sanitizers and long-soaks in water. Even though we do need them to keep our hands clean, they can make the skin very dry and the nails very brittle. If prolonged water soaking can’t be avoided, like washing the dishes and doing some hand washing, wear protective gloves.
Lastly, restoring hydration after your nail treatments and during wear time is very important. However, keeping them after restoration can be easy. You can do this by applying moisturizers, hand creams, and cuticle oils multiple times a day as also a part of your skincare routine.
