We have all wondered if we can do a fancy manicure from home instead of paying large sums of money to nail salons. Maybe you do not know how to go about painting your nails, or perhaps you want to do something a bit fancier.
Regardless of why you have not done your own nails, now is the time to learn.
Doing acrylic powder dipped nails is a super easy method you can do from the comfort of your own home. So, if you are interested in learning how to use acrylic powder on your nails, this is the article for you.
We are going to cover the basics as well as answer questions such as, why your acrylic powder dip nails look bumpy and a whole slew of other questions you might have.
Without further ado, let us begin.
Let’s Cover The Basics
The best place to start with learning is the beginning. So, in this section of the article, we are going to look at some of the basic things you should know before you try out acrylic dip powder on your own.
What Exactly is Acrylic Dip Powder & How Does it Work?
If you do not know already, acrylic dip powder is a very fine acrylic powder that is often used to put on your nails. It is made of the same substance as standard acrylic nails.
The main difference is that acrylic dip powder is much easier and faster to apply to your nails.
This substance strengthens your nails and also increases the longevity of your manicure. To top that off, you can get acrylic dip powder in almost any color you can imagine.
If you decide to try out acrylic dip nails, you need to know that they are extremely similar to traditional acrylic nails. The main difference is the method that is used to apply the powder and the acrylic nail.
The dip powder is a much faster and easier method to use for beginners, which is why it is an excellent choice if you want to do professional nails from home.
The basic method for applying acrylic powder to your natural nails is to prepare the nail, add a base coat, dip your nail into the acrylic powder at a 45-degree angle and finally apply a sealant after you have applied a few coats of the powder and base coat.
The great thing about using acrylic dip powder is that you do not need a UV or LED lamp in order to cure the nail. It dried on its own.
What Types of Acrylic Dip Powder are There?
While the base product is mostly the same, you can get a wide variety of colors and finishes in acrylic nail powder. Glow in the dark, glitter, and shimmer are just a few examples of finishes you could get in your acrylic nail powder.
Much like nail polish, the products are much the same, but you will get a variety in quality. The different brands will all have different finishes and effects, so you cannot really know what you are getting unless you see the product at work.
Either by watching a tutorial or trialing the products themselves.
Can you use Acrylic Dip Powder at Home?
The next line of questioning that should follow is, can you use acrylic powder dip at home, and can you do it yourself?
The short answer to that question is yes. It may be a little tough learning the nuances of acrylic dip powder, but once you do, this is a great way to get a beautiful and professional manicure, which you can easily do yourself.
It is quick and easy, so you can have a great look in very little time.
How Long Does an Acrylic Dip Powder Manicure Last?
As a general rule, acrylic powder dip nails will last you about 3 weeks, but you can make them last longer if you take care of them.
Doing things like using cuticle oil and applying a sealant every few days to maintain the nail are a few ways you can improve the longevity of your manicure.
Other things you might want to consider in order to prolong the life of your acrylic nails might be to avoid using your nails to scratch or open things, do not let them get in contact with harsh cleaning chemicals, and finally make sure to wear gloves when you are washing or cleaning.
Is it Safe?
There are a variety of different opinions when it comes to the safety of acrylic nail powder. Many consider it safer and healthier than acrylic nails that need a UV light to cure. But, is it really as safe as they say?
Many nail salons market acrylic nail powder as non-toxic or natural, but it is wise to take this information with a pinch of salt. You can never know what is a marketing ploy and what is fact. So, let us examine what we do know about this nail product.
Acrylic nail powder is made of the same substance as regular acrylic nails. The main difference is that the powder does not require a UV light at all, while regular acrylic nails do.
With the knowledge that most dermatologists say that UV light has been proven to cause damage to your skin. This decidedly makes the use of powdered acrylic nail powder healthier for you overall.
But, the next thing you need to consider is the removal of your nail powder.
There are some methods that utilize chemicals that can be abrasive to the skin and nails, which some people will consider harmful. So to make the experience better overall, it is recommended that you find a method that is gentle.
Finally, there are a lot of chemicals and substances which can be found in both acrylic powder and regular acrylic nails, which may not be healthy for your skin or nails.
On the other hand, some acrylic dip powders contain vitamins that will reinforce your nails.
Generally, the use of acrylic nail powder is safe and should cause minimal issues. A few things you will need to keep in mind are your removal method and the brand you go for.
Find a method that is not abrasive or aggressive to the nail, so you can avoid damage to them. A good brand will have vitamins in the powder, which will help keep your nails healthy.
How To Get Your Nails Ready
Before you can begin applying the acrylic powder, you will need to prep your nails so that you have a good base. This will help you to get a much cleaner and longer-lasting manicure. So, be sure to rush or skip any of the preparation.
With that in mind, let us take a look at the steps you will need to take in order to prepare your nails:
The first thing you need to do is shape your nails. Whether you have natural nails or you need to apply a false nail, you will need to shape and file the nail until you have a shape you like.
Once you have done that, you will need to wash your hands well, this is so that there is no excess nail dust or unnecessary oil on your nails that will impact the adhesives.
Next, you will need to push back your cuticles and trim the excess skin so that you have a nice, clean surface to work with.
Buff the surface of your nail, you must do this lightly. The aim here is to create a mild rough texture that will help your base coat bind to the nail. It is recommended that you use a buffing too rather than a nail file for the best results. Keep an eye out for any stripes or marks on the nail, if you see either, you are being too rough during the buffing process.
The next thing you will need to do is add a sanitizer
As a side note, when you are at this stage in the prepping process, it is essential that you do not touch your face or your hair. The natural oils on either can affect the way the base coat and powder will adhere to your nails.
At this point, you are ready to start applying the base coats and acrylic nail powder. We will go into the basics of how you can apply your nail powder in the next section.
Before we move on, though, it is important to not skip out or speed through the prepping process. It will help you get better results and allow your manicure to last longer. A good base is essential, so do not neglect it.
How To Apply Acrylic Dip Powder
Now that you have your nails prepped and ready, you can begin the process of applying your acrylic dip powder to the nails. Depending on the kit that you buy, you may have instructions that you should follow.
So, this guide is just a brief overview of the steps that you can expect to see if you choose to check out the instructions that come with the kit.
Let us begin looking at what you will need to do:
The first thing you will need to do is add a bonder to the natural nail. This in essence is a dehydrator that will get rid of the excess oils in your nails so that the acrylic dip powder adheres to the nail as it should.
The next thing you will need to do is apply a base polish, make sure to only apply this to ¾ of the nail before you quickly dip the nail into a naturally colored dip powder. This disguises any imperfections on the nail and will help the color come out looking more even. Make sure to dip quite quickly because the base polish is quick drying. insert the nail into the powder at a 45-degree angle until the nail is fully submerged. Work on one nail at a time so that each one has the time to dry.
Once the base and powder are dry, you can use a brush to dust off the excess powder so that it does not get trapped and keep the layers nice and thin.
Next, you can take the base coat and apply it to the whole nail and dip it into the colored powder of your choice. Once again, make sure that you insert the nail at a 45-degree angle to get the vest results. Some powders can be extremely pigmented but should wash off the skin with soap. Continue applying the powder to each nail, making sure to do one at a time.
If you have missed a spot on the nail where the colored powder has not hit, do not worry. You can dab a little base coat on that area and dip the nail again.
It is important to dust off the excess powder after each coat has fully dried, this makes it much easier to avoid a lumpy mess when you apply other coats to the manicure. So, apply another base once the first layer has dried, and then dip your nails in the acrylic dip powder again so that you have a nice, fully covered nail.
After you have gotten your two layers of colored powder on the nail, make sure that you apply another base coat and dip each nail into the clear powder. This makes it so that when you file the excess away, you do not accidentally file away the color and ruin your manicure.
Add a layer of a sealant and protector to each nail, this is so that all the work you have just done stays sealed away and is protected from external abrasion.
Next, get out your nail buffer and smooth out the nail and get rid of any excess lumps and bumps. Make sure to not buff too aggressively, as you can go too deep and ruin the color you have just put on your nails.
Finally, wipe the nail down to remove any dust so that the final layer can adhere properly. You can now add a top coat to the nail. Using short, quick strokes, apply this coat to each nail. After the topcoat dries, you can use a nail or cuticle oil to moisturize the skin around the nails and cuticles to keep everything nice and healthy.
Removal Of Acrylic Dip Powder
After your nails start to grow out, it can be really tough to curb that impatient desire to just rip the layers off or to use harsh chemicals to remove it.
You might be eager to see your natural nails after they have been covered for so long, or you might be eager to get a brand-new manicure.
Regardless of why you want your tatty-looking manicure removed, in this section, we are going to look at a few methods you can use to remove them and begin anew.
It is important to be patient when it comes to acrylic nail powder removal, if you are not careful you might experience splits, cracks, and chips that will be detrimental to your natural nail.
So, let us take a look at some methods you can use that will not destroy your nails.
The Aluminum Foil Method
One of the most common methods you can use to remove acrylic nail powder is the aluminum foil method. You will need cotton balls, acetone, and foil for this removal method.
If you follow these steps, you will be well on your way to removing that chipped acrylic nail polish.
The first thing you need to do is get 10 cotton balls and 10 pieces of foil that you have cut into appropriately sized rectangles.
Next, you will need to soak one cotton ball in acetone and then place it directly on a nail, followed by applying a piece of tinfoil over the top. Wrap the foil around the nail and cotton ball securely.
Continue this process for each of your nails, have an acetone-soaked cotton ball and tin foil on them.
Once you have each nail wrapped, you will need to leave them on for 15 minutes. For your own sanity, make sure you have some form of entertainment you can enjoy while you wait. A video or music are great options.
After 15 minutes, you can start unwrapping the foil and removing the cotton balls. Make sure that you remove them, starting with the nail that you wrapped first.
If you see any remaining nail powder, you can use a nail buffer to GENTLY get it off.
Finally, after you have washed your hands and given your nails a final wipe down, you should apply hand cream and cuticle oil to help rehydrate the skin and nails.
After you have done all of this, feel free to add a nail strengthening product if you feel that they are weak and brittle. You can leave it on for a few days.
The Bowl Method
All you will need for this method is a small bowl, ceramic, metal or glass will work well, you will also need pure acetone and cotton balls for this method.
Okay, let us break down the steps into easier chunks so that you can better understand what needs to be done.
The first thing you will need to do is pour the acetone into the bowl. You will need just enough to fully submerge your nails. So, be careful not to use too much so that you do not have a lot of waste.
Submerge your nails in the water, make sure that they are completely covered. Keep your nails submerged for 10 minutes. This may seem like a long time, but you can watch a great video or listen to music so that you do not get bored.
After 10 minutes, take your nails out of the acetone, wipe down firmly what cotton balls, and remove as much of the acrylic nail powder as you can.
If there is still acrylic powder on the nail, submerge your nails in acetone again and wait another 10 minutes. But at this point, there should be very little left on your nails.
There are a few things you need to keep in mind while you are following this process. The first one is that you should definitely not use a metal scraping tool when you are trying to get rid of those last few stubborn bits.
Instead, after you have soaked and used the cotton ball and found that there is still acrylic powder on your nails, just submerge them again and make sure to use the cotton ball again. It is very important to have patience.
If you feel the need to scrape the final bits off your nails, it would be best to use a wooden orange stick, which will be less abrasive and damaging to the nail.
Once you have all the acrylic nail powder off your nails, it would be beneficial to apply a cuticle oil and hand cream to help your skin and nails to recover.
Finally, it is best for your nails if you use a nail strengthening product for the next week so that your nails are able to fully recover and regain their strength and durability.
Tips And Tricks
If you are considering trying your hand at acrylic dip nails, you might be keen to get your hands on any tips that will make your life easier and your chance of success greater. In this section, we are going to tell you a few tips that will certainly help you out on your acrylic dip powder journey.
Once everything has been prepped, and you are ready to apply a base coat. Make sure that you only put on a thin layer on each nail. Keep each layer even and brush at the same angle, drag from the cuticle down to the tip of the nail each time. You can also avoid flooding your cuticles using a base coat.
Make sure that when you dip your nail in the powder you insert it at a 45-degree angle, this helps to coat the nail completely. You can also lightly shake the pot of powder from side to side as you insert the nail so that the powder falls on the nail. This helps create a more even finish.
After you have removed your nail from the powder, check that everything looks even. Tap each finger to dislodge any excess powder, and use a soft brush to get rid of the excess once your nails are completely dry.
It is better to use acrylic nail powder on natural nails, it is known to yield better results.
Frequently Asked Questions
While we have covered many topics in this article so far, there are sure to be some more specific questions you are dying to know.
We have got your back, we will be answering a few frequently asked questions below so that you can go into this endeavor knowing as much as possible.
What do you need to use Acrylic Dip Powder at Home?
You will need a dip powder in whichever color and finish you desire, a natural colored dip powder, a liquid set, base coat, activator, top coat, nail buffer, and finally a good nail file.
Why are my Acrylic Dip Powder Nails Bumpy?
One of the main reasons that your nails look bumpy after you have applied your acrylic powder is that you applied a base coat unevenly and put it on too thick.
To avoid this happening again, you will need to take care to apply a thin base coat layer and make sure that you cover the whole nail before you dip it into the colored powder.
It might take some time to get the hang of the exact amount you require, but once you do, you will certainly see results and bumpy nails will be a thing of the past.
One thing you could try is experimenting with the way that you dip your nails into the powder.
Lightly shifting the pot from side to side might help evenly distribute the powder on the nail, and rolling your finger a little from side to side is also something you could try.
Another reason you might be seeing unevenness is that you have flooded the cuticle area when you initially put the base coat on. This can flood the cuticle and cause a more bumpy and uneven texture.
What to use Instead of Activator for Dip Powder Nails?
If you do not have an activator at hand, you might find that using 99% acetone, alcohol or isopropyl will do the job.
These substances will not ‘cure’ the nail as an activator would, but they do help with drying things out, which will help seal your powder and reduce the risk of it breaking. It also softens the shell and makes it so that everything can mold together.
What can make an Acrylic Dip Powder Crack?
This is something that can happen if you are not practiced in the art of acrylic powder. But, as you improve, you should find that cracking will happen much less often.
A vertical crack can happen if you have applied the powder unevenly, this is especially the case between the base coat and the sealant.
When you are using a brush, make sure that you do not lift it upright when applying any product. This can help reduce unevenness, which will, in turn, reduce bumpiness and cracks from happening.
The final way to avoid cracking from happening is to add 3 layers of dip powder, this ensures strength and will limit the possibility of cracking happening.
Why do my Nails Hurt After the Application of Acrylic Dip Powder?
This is nothing to worry about, your fingers can frequently get a little sore after using acrylic dip powder. This is typically a sign that the buffing or filing that you did while preparing for the powder was a little too severe.
It may also be that you were a little too rough in pushing back your cuticles or managed to cut that sensitive skin.
You can avoid soreness by making sure to only lightly buff the nail, and also take care when you are trimming the cuticle.
Why are my acrylic dip powder nails Grainy?
This is likely because you have added too much powder to the nail. It is very important that you turn your nail to the side and tap your finger to dislodge excess powder.
After drying, you can use a brush to remove anything you have missed to avoid getting that grainy or clumpy look.
Are Dip Nails Healthier than Gel?
While some people might have a sure-fire answer for this question, it is not actually written in stone whether gel or dip nails are better for you. Both can cause damage to the nail if improperly used.
So, it is best to look at what you prefer personally and go for something that you find will suit your needs rather than focusing on what is ‘healthier’.
Final Thoughts
Overall, acrylic nail powder is a fantastic and easy way for you to get a professional manicure from home. Money might be tight, or it might be too far to get to the nail salon, the next best thing is to give yourself a manicure.
Many find it easier to do it from home, especially when they find out just how easy it can be to achieve such great-looking nails.
If you want to give acrylic dip powder a go at home, make sure that the room you do it in is well ventilated so that the fumes and dust do not cause trouble with your breathing.
It is also important to take note of the instructions that come with each kit so that you are assured the best results each time.
Now, that you know everything you could possibly need to know, there is no excuse. Get out there and create some beautiful nail art.
Hi, my name is Miranda Cole, and I’ve been working in the makeup industry for the last 10 years. I began my journey as a beautician, and now I specialize in both makeup and hair.
Over the last 10 years, I have watched as the latest trends change, and have seen the evolution of beauty and makeup in particular. As a result of this, I have a good knowledge of different makeup products, and hairstyles that will suit specific complexions or face shapes.
I want Fabulyst to be an extension of my day job, so that I can help educate others on everything they need to know about fashion and beauty. From the latest style pieces to wear, to the best hairstyles, I will be covering everything there is to know.
