What You Should Know Before Getting A Dip Powder Manicure (2024)

If you think of your nails like mini works of art or canvases for color, then you know fresh tips can add that finishing touch—literally—to your beauty or self-care routine. Manicure options run the gamut though, and not all methods of pigment application are created equal, especially in the longevity department.

While regular and gel polishes can be prone to chipping and peeling, dip powder manicures are in a class all their own, thanks to their unique ability to last, even for those who can be hard on their hands. “Dip powder nails are a manicure method that combines pigmented powder with specialized bases and sealers to create extremely attractive, durable manicures,” says Anna Parvatova, creative director of SNS Nails. “Dip nails are lightweight and flexible like gel nails but durable like acrylics.”

Meet our experts: Anna Parvatova, creative director of SNS Nails, Juli Russell, a DIY nail xxpert for Sally Beauty, Syreeta Aaron, LeChat Nails educator and salon owner

While dip manis aren’t exactly new, they’ve definitely risen to popularity more recently, so some of the technique’s details might still be a little elusive. That’s why we’re breaking the dip process down here to bring you all of the info you might want to keep in mind should you want to try this technique out at a salon or DIY it at home. Here’s everything you need to know about dip powder nails.

What Are Dip Powder Nails?

The technique behind dip powder nails actually sounds exactly like the name; essentially, your nails are prepped as they would be for any manicure (old polish removal, trimming dead skin from and/or pushing back the cuticle, and clearing the natural nail plate of any oils for proper adhesion) then pigment is applied in layers via a powder that your nails are literally dipped into while brushing on layers of bond as an adhesive.

“Unlike gel, which is applied like polish and cured with a UV light, dip powder is applied directly to the nail via a three-step process—base/primer coat, color coat until desired coverage is achieved, activator/top coat—and air dries so you don’t need a UV light,” says Juli Russell, a DIY nail xxpert for Sally Beauty.

To break it down even further, Russell says that once the special base or primer coat is applied to your digits, each nail—while still wet—gets dipped into a small pot of colored acrylic powder (you can also sprinkle or spoon the powder over the nail instead, if desired).

“Your manicurist (or you, at home) will work in layers,” says Russell. “Once the desired level of coverage is reached (usually two to three rounds of dipping is required), an activator polish is brushed on as a top coat to cure the formula.” Your tips will be good to go once the top coat dries, and dip manis are compatible with both natural or extended nails.

What Are the Benefits of Getting Dip Powder Nails?

Durability might be the biggest pro of dip powder nails. According to Russell, dip manicures generally don’t chip or display breakage the way more traditional mani methods do. “It’s a great option for someone who works with their hands a lot or doesn’t have the time to dedicate to weekly manicure maintenance,” says Russell of dip powder nails.

Of course, exact results will vary based on your daily activities — nothing can disrupt fresh tips quite like dish washing or weight lifting, as examples. For Syreeta Aaron, LeChat Nails educator and salon owner, how quickly your nails grow also affects the longevity factor here, but that natural nail growth is also a potential benefit of dip, too. “The application of dip helps grow out your natural nails without the use of acrylic monomers or curing in UV lamps,” says Aaron. “Dip manicures give strength to the natural nails and a nice, even color application that does not fade.”

Russell says that because no UV light is needed for curing, dip powder application is much faster than gel and can be safer in some sense as well, since UV exposure always comes with a potential risk of skin cancer. As far as how “healthy” dip nails may be, Russell says many of the powders contain nourishing calcium and vitamins to fortify your nails, which is another added benefit to dip.

Most experts agree dip nails are a safer alternative to acrylics because monomer inhalation isn’t a risk of dip application either. That being said, you want to make sure you’re getting your dip mani in a safe, reputable salon that prizes cleanliness. “Sanitary dip manicures require the use of a disposable cup for dipping,” says Parvatova. “Any leftover powder should be disposed of to prevent cross-contamination of clients’ germs. Additionally, be sure that any nail product you use, be it dip powder or otherwise, is free of potentially harmful chemicals, such as Toluene, Camphor, Xylene, Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resin, Triphenylphosphate (TPHP), and Colophonium.”

Of course, proper dip manicure removal is key to maintaining your nail health, too, but more to come on that below.

How Long Do Dip Powder Nails Last?

According to Russell, dip powder nails typically last four to six weeks. Parvatova agrees, citing that “it’s not uncommon for well-applied, high-quality dip manicures to stay pristine for up to four or five weeks.” Aaron has a little more of a conservative estimate, recommending that dip powder nails be redone roughly every 21 days, or three weeks, again likely due to new growth. “Just as you do with gel polish on the natural nails when you soak, you must do the same with dip powder,” she says.

One thing to keep in mind is that you’re going to pay a bit of a premium for a dip mani. “Dip powder nails are typically more costly than gel manicures at the salon but worth it if you like longevity,” says Russell. “At home, dip tends to be a better bang for your buck.” She recommends the Nailboo Starter Dip Kit and Beauty Secrets Dip Powders if you want to try your hand at DIY dip, while Aaron suggests the LeChat Perfect Match French Dip Kit.

How Do Dip Powder Nails Differ From Gel Manicures?

“Compared to gel, dip powder manicures are loved for their durability, vibrance, lack of irritating fumes, and lack of UV radiation in the curing process,” says Parvatova. Consider giving dip powder a try if you work with your hands a lot or just need a little more longevity out of your manicure, say, for a busy time of year or even for ease during upcoming travel. You may find you’ll love the results—and all that glossy shine and rich pigment—but want to alternate with gel or regular manicures due to budget reasons.

One last thing to note: While dip powder offers some opportunity for color creativity (ombré, glitter, color blocking), if you like really intricate nail art, you will probably have to stick with gel for best results.