Nail Artists Say This Type of Manicure Lasts Longer—Here’s How to Do It at Home

If you’re like me and don’t consider yourself an expert at home manicures by any means, let me recommend one of the more foolproof options on the market: dip powder. If you’ve ever gotten dip powder done at the salon, you’ll know that the process can be a lot faster and easier than getting acrylics, gel X extensions, or even builder gel done. While I do still prefer builder gel myself, dip powder is better than options like regular gel nail polish because its polymers are stronger, making it last longer. Even celebrity nail artists love it. Iram Shelton (nail artist to the likes of Heidi Klum, Priyanka Chopra, and Cara Delevingne) is a fan. “I love how easy it is to apply, and it lasts way longer than regular polish,” she says.

While you will need a few extra tools to tackle a manicure like this at home, fear not. I’m breaking down everything you need to know about dip powder, tips for trying it out at home, and the most highly rated kits to get your hands on. Keep reading below.

What Is Dip Powder?

Dip powder is a pigmented powder that’s applied to the nails after applying a glue-like base coat. Unlike regular gel manicures, dip powder doesn’t require a UV light to cure. If you’ve gotten this done at the salon, you’ve probably seen your nail tech dip your nails into the powder several times to coat each of them fully before painting on a sealant topcoat. Dip powder is considered stronger and more chip resistant than regular gel nail polish. However, it can be harder to remove due to its thick, multilayered makeup.

Dip Powder vs. Acrylics and Gel X Extensions

Gel X extensions and acrylics differ from dip powder because they’re preformed gel nail covers that are already made and fitted to the nail. Dip powder, on the other hand, is applied by dipping the natural nail into a pigmented powder. While options like gel X extensions and acrylics are a bit more durable than dip powder, dip powder is a bit easier to apply yourself and would suit those looking to do an at-home manicure better. Dip powder is also easier to remove than gel X extensions and acrylic nails.

Tips for Doing Dip Powder at Home

For an at-home dip powder manicure, it doesn’t hurt to have a few things handy, including a home manicure kit to push back your cuticles and buff your nails beforehand. Shelton elaborated a bit on this. “Always ensure you have prepped your nails. If you’re wanting a longer-lasting manicure, it always start with prep. Push back your cuticles, trim your nails, and shape them to perfection. Apply your base coat and dip your finger into the powder and repeat until you’re happy with the result. Then apply your activator, fully sealing the nail, and wait until the powder hardens. Reshape the nail and buff until you’re happy, and then apply your topcoat.”

In addition to Shelton’s tips, I’ve also found that buffing the nails and wiping them with an alcohol wipe beforehand helps the dip powder adhere better to the natural nail, creating longer-lasting results.

The Best Dip Nail Powder Kits