5 Things to Know Before You Drop That Hard-Earned Cash on a Dip Powder Manicure

Updated on 10/11/2023 at 6:45 PM

While some of us enjoy a nice leisurely trip to visit our favorite manicurist, others like to spend as little time as possible at the nail salon. Whether it's because we're constantly booked and busy or because we aren't a fan of sitting still for long periods of time, trust us — we get it. If you're part of the latter group, you might want to look into a dip powder manicure, which takes about as long as gel manicures, but lasts much longer.

If you're unfamiliar with the technique, don't worry, we've got answers to all of your questions. In short: while gel manicures require UV rays to harden the polish, dipped manicures utilize pigmented powder. As someone who indulges in a manicure every few months and is always testing out new nail trends, I was curious about the craze surrounding this new magical dipping powder. I had heard that it lasts longer than acrylic or gel manicures, but what really sold me was that it doesn't require UV light. I decided to see what it was all about and made an appointment with my nail technician. I'm overall pleased with the results, and I have a few words of wisdom to impart to those considering taking the powdery plunge.

— Additional reporting by Renee Rodriguez

The Cuticle Care Is the Same as Most Other Manicures

Everything about the cuticle care was normal and routine. My nail technician cut, buffered, filed, and shaped my nails then continued to trim my cuticles. So far, I was neither surprised nor disappointed, and my hands felt like they'd been through a nail salon version of a car wash.

Note that some nail techs will do a dry cleanup, that is to say, they trim your cuticles and buff the nails without water. It might seem strange if you've never experienced it, but it's super common, especially with pedicures.

This Is the Fastest-Drying Manicure You'll Ever Experience

Unlike other manicures, this dipping powder works extremely fast. My nail technician primed my nails with a clear base coat and then dipped each nail into the pigmented powder color of my choice. After each nail was dipped, she brushed off any excess powder. She continued this process three times. Then she topped it off with one more clear coat and I was good to go. There's no cutting acrylics to fit your current nail shape or leaving your hands in a UV light lamp for paint to dry.

The Removal Process Still Sucks

I hate the process of removing gel polish and the damaged look it leaves on my nails afterward. I was hoping that dipping powder would be a loophole, but unfortunately, my cuticles were still left in pretty bad shape. Visit a nail technician when you're ready to remove the dipping powder, unless you've perfected the process at home.

Ask Your Nail Technician to Sprinkle or Paint Rather Than Dip

This was something I wish I had known beforehand. By dipping your nail into the powder you're more likely to pick up germs. While this is how the manicure got its name, it's highly unsanitary. If you decide to go through with a dip powder manicure, ask your nail technician to either sprinkle the powder onto your nail, paint it on, or pour some fresh powder into a separate dish. (This is something a good nail tech will do without having to be prompted.)

It's a More Expensive Manicure, but It Lasts Longer

While I didn't enjoy having to pay more than what I'm used to, the dip powder manicure lasted a week longer than my gel manicure usually does, and if you're careful, it can last up to 24 days. This is ideal for those with a busier schedule who can only make it to the nail salon once a month but still want a long-lasting manicure.