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Being as curious as I am, after I have mastered the gel, acrylics, Shellac, and other standard techniques, I gave myself a task to find something unconventional, but not yet popular, and I found it in the form of dip nails.
Dip nails use a combination of liquid and powder that’s used to create a seamless and smooth manicure look, without using a UV lamp. The dip powder is supposed to be set as a result of a reaction process that’s initiated after an activator is applied.
To apply the dip powder nail technique, you need an activator in liquid form. Not using an activator would cause your nails to peel off, the color on your nails won’t be perfect, and the powder could come off while filing.
To fully understand what dip nails are and how to apply them, what an activator is and why it is important, how to remove the dip nails and prepare your natural nails for a new set of manicures, stay with me until the end of this article where I reveal the answers to all these questions.
Table of Contents
What Are Dip Nails?
To some of us women, the dip nails were familiar under the name SNS nails. SNS or Signature Nail System is a nail dipping system where the manicure look is achieved easily only by using a base liquid applied by a brush and dip powder.
The powder itself comes in a range of colors and is known to have many advantages over the gel or acrylic technique. Since it is not as invasive, it is also less time-consuming, making it perfect for every woman that’s always in a rush.
Dip nails are not new on the market, they just still haven’t got their five minutes of fame. Because they have not been popularized yet, there are no standards when it comes to specific looks you can achieve with this technique, but a few basic steps do stand out.
The basic steps will only teach you how to achieve a monochromatic manicure, and if you want to be creative and try a combination of several colors or marble effects, there are no steps that can guide you in the process. You will have to improvise or rely on other people’s experiences.
This technique will ensure your natural nails are reinforced, and protected from damage. To make sure the nails will endure the toll of everyday activities, you must make sure you’ve used the right products in the right way. Only if the powder hardens properly it can provide the strength that’s needed.
Once the powder sets on the nails, it will allow your natural nails to grow as healthy as they would grow if there was no nail polish on top of it. This is why dip powder is the first choice for many women who are informed about its benefits.
It is also supposed to last longer than gel or acrylics – up to 8 weeks if it is applied properly. If your nails tend to grow at a fast rate, this will not be considered an advantage for you. But if your nails are growing at a very slow pace, then this might be a technique you should consider.
How to Apply Dip Nails?
Just as like with other techniques, the first step requires a proper preparation. Make sure to clean the nails and cuticles from any excess oils, since this is important to ensure the powder will adhere to the natural nails. If you don’t remove the oils and any dirt from the nails successfully, the dip powder will probably just peel off from your nails.
To prepare the nails for the base coat, you should use a file to create a rough surface so the base coat can bond easily and properly with the natural nails. If you already have your nails filed as a result of some previous techniques you’ve tried, there is no need to over-file them.
Use acetone, alcohol, or similar products to be completely sure the nails are ready for the base coat. When you compare this technique to gel or acrylics, you will notice that it is very important to apply the base coat properly and evenly.
This is because the base coat will act like glue – it will create a sticky surface that will pick up the powder in step two of the process. If you make a mistake and apply the base coat over the cuticles, the powder will stick to them as well.
One trick you can use to make sure the base coat will not end on your cuticles is to push the cuticles to their base before you start with the application. This will free the space around your natural nails and make them more accessible.
Now that your nails are finally prepared by the book, you can proceed with applying a thin layer of base coat. It is recommended to do this one nail at a time because after you apply the base coat, you need to quickly dip the nail in the powder of your choice.
Waiting for too long may over-dry the base coat, and it will not pick up as much of the powder as you would initially expect. On the other hand, if you feel like you picked up too much powder, make sure that you dust off the excess of your nails. You can do this by gently tapping the finger.
If you want the color to be more solid, just repeat this step and dip the nails into the powder as many times as you want, until you achieve the coverage you’d like. Just note that with each layer the nails bec