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Today, there are countless ways to nail a DIY salon-quality manicure from the comfort of your home. Of course, you can opt for traditional polish in any number of seasonal shades, but there are also plenty of gel kits, nail stickers, and even dip powder kits that make your dream of a more professional finish a reality.
In fact, experts tout dip powder kits as one of the most convenient DIY options available. "Dip nails are safe, odorless, durable, and long-lasting," says Lina Buk, founder of Nail Art Gear. "They are also easy to apply and remove, plus you can even find dip powders enhanced with vitamins and calcium," she explains.
And unlike gel nails, you don't need to use any UV/LED lamps in order to cure dip nails. "Since dip nails are bonded with glue and air-dry, the risk of damage to your nails is lower, too." What's more, there's a nearly endless array of shades to choose from—great for nail art enthusiasts.
To help you hone in on the best kits out there—starter kits that come with everything you need—we asked the beauty experts to point us in the right direction. Here's what they recommend:
Best Odorless
Kiara Sky Color Dip Powder Starter Kit
Best Odorless
Kiara Sky Color Dip Powder Starter Kit
This set of five shades, from a neutral white to a glittery gold, is durable, long-lasting, and—a nice bonus—odorless. It's also nontoxic, MMA-free, and cruelty-free, says Buk.
Best Long-Lasting
Revel Nail Dip Powder 4-Color Starter Kit
You can't beat this high-quality kit, says Buk, wh0 says it's easy to use, nontoxic, and promises up to five weeks of chip-free wear.
Amazon Bestseller
AZUREBEAUTY Dip Powder Nail Starter Kit
There's a reason this kit gets so much love on Amazon. It includes 10 beautiful colors to chose from, says beauty expert Vivi Mintara. For even more fun, you can mix the colors together to create many different color combinations, she says.
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Best All-in-One Kit
Dipwell Dip Nail Starter Kit
Best All-in-One Kit
Dipwell Dip Nail Starter Kit
Keep shopping to a minimum by ordering this starter kit by Dipwell. You get everything you need in one comprehensive kit: several colors, all coats (base, activator, top, and more), a file, a buffer, a cuticle pusher. Also nice: The retailer allows you to create your own customized kit, complete with the colors you want most, says Laura Roncagli, a professional makeup artist.
The powders in this kit are so finely milled that they don’t add any extra bulk to the nail, says nail artist Juli Russell. Plus, the starter kit is a steal at under $30. You can also pick up individual jars of Nailboo dip powder to build out your kit, says Russell.
Easiest to Store
ASP Quick Dip Kit Mini
When space is at a premium, you'll love this dip powder kit. The jars and bottles are mini (read: take up almost no space in your vanity), but provide enough powder for multiple manicures, each of which lasts for up to 14 days.
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Best High Shine
BEAUTY SECRETS Dip Kit Powder Acrylic Nail Color System
Best High Shine
BEAUTY SECRETS Dip Kit Powder Acrylic Nail Color System
If it's an ultra-shiny professional-looking manicure you covet, you'll love this simple kit by Beauty Secrets. The odor-free powder is super lightweight (no bulky nails!), but delivers long-lasting color with impressive shine.
Best Salon Product
OPI Nail Dipping Powder Kit
Best Salon Product
OPI Nail Dipping Powder Kit
Feel most comfortable working with a product most comparable to what they use in salons? Give this kit by OPI a try. It only comes with one shade, but there are plenty of others you can add to your arsenal over time.
Have trouble making up your mind? Stock this dip powder nail kit, which comes with a truly impressive array of 30 vibrant colors, from neutrals like white and baby pink to neons like tangerine and yellow.
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Best Drugstore
KISS Professional Dipping System
Best Drugstore
KISS Professional Dipping System
Not sure you're committed to DIY-ing your manicure? This pint-sized kit provides everything you need to give the technique a try, but requires minimal investment. Translation: You won't feel bad if your career as your own personal manicurist is a one-and-done situation.
FAQs
Is dip powder good for your nails?
A dip powder manicure has obvious visual benefits, but it has some surprising health benefits, says Russell. "Dip powder provides durability and strength, allowing your natural nails underneath to grow longer and stronger," she explains. "So if you’re someone who suffers from weak, brittle nails, or you’re generally rough on your hands, a dip manicure could save your natural nails."
What is better, dip or gel nails? "
What are the benefits of dip powder nails?Beyond the aesthetic and nail-strengthening benefits, dip powder also has a great cost-saving benefit. "Dip powder lasts a very long time—on average, you can get four to five weeks out of a dip manicure, with no chips," says Russell. If you invest in your own at-home dip kit, you’ll save even more money. "One dip manicure can cost upwards of $75 at a salon. For that price, you can get a great DIY starter kit that’ll give you 25 to 30 manicures per jar of dip powder."
How do you remove dip powder manicures?Proper removal technique is crucial, but unfortunately, dip powder removal can be a bit tricky and time-consuming, says Russell. To do it right, you'll need a little bit of acetone and a lot of patience. Here's how, according to Russell: Start by filing the shine off your nail with a coarse grit file. Breaking the barrier of the dip powder is crucial in allowing the acetone to soak into the layers of dip and soften the product. Next, gather 100 percent acetone, some cotton balls, and foil. Saturate a piece of cotton ball with the acetone, then place it over your nail and secure it in place with foil. Tightly wrap the foil around your finger to ensure the cotton ball stays in contact with your nail. Do this for each nail. Allow the acetone to do its magic for 10 minutes. If you can keep your hands warm during this step (with a blanket, heating pad, or even hair dryer) the acetone will work faster. After 10 minutes, use a wooden orange stick or cuticle pusher to gently push off the softened dip powder. It’ll be sticky, but the product should be soft enough to push off. And don’t force it! If it’s not all coming off, saturate the cotton ball again, rewrap your nails, and wait another 10 minutes. Once the product is mostly removed, you can lightly buff the nail with a soft file to remove any residual dip powder. Finish with a generous slathering of oil or lotion.
Brigitt Earley
Contributing Writer
Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.
