How do you give yourself a dip powder manicure at home?
This is how the at-home process typically works. First, you’ll want to apply a base coat onto clean, freshly buffed nails (this helps to smooth out any ridges so that the powder can coat the nail evenly). Next, instead of painting the nail color on with a brush, as with a traditional or gel manicure, you’ll dip your nail into a pot of pigmented powder. Then, tap or brush off any excess powder (many kits include a buff brush) and repeat the process one more time to ensure an even coat. After two go-rounds of dipping, you’ll paint on a clear activator polish. This activator turns the colored powder into a glossy lacquer and essentially bonds it onto the nail itself. Once that’s dry, you’ll apply a clear coat of polish as a topcoat, and voila! Your DIY dip powder manicure is done, and it should last at least a few weeks (or more). Of course, these are general guidelines—always follow the instructions of the specific kit you’re using, as each one may differ slightly.
How do you remove dip powder manicures?
Again, you’ll want to refer to the instructions included in whichever kit you’ve purchased. However, dip powder manicures generally always have to be soaked off with acetone—do not, under any circumstances, try to peel or pick off the color. Doing so will rip off the top layer of your actual nail. Ouch! Instead, your best bet is to wrap each nail in an acetone-soaked cotton ball (or round) or dip it into a small bowl of acetone for at least ten minutes. The bond between the lacquer and the nail must be dissolved for the dip powder color to be removed. The best part is, though this soaking process may seem tedious, once the color is dissolved, it should wipe off easily and cleanly (no scraping required).
Can you remove it with clippers?
Invest in some nail polish remover clips to make the process easier (and less messy). While many manicurists will admit that, ideally, you should leave dip powder manicures (and their subsequent removal) to the professionals, monthly trips to the nail salon can get expensive. More and more companies are offering affordable at-home powder nail kits for novices and experts alike.
