12 Best Dip-Powder Nail Kits for Salon-Quality Manicures on a Budget
Our beauty editor-recommended picks start at just $10.
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Shopping for someone tired of their nails chipping after just a few days? Same! Luckily, nothing is exclusively a salon-only treatment. The professional-level technique of the dip-powder manicure is now totally doable at home by using a dip-powder nail kit. These inexpensive products are the best DIY investment for saving some cash on expensive nail salon visits, plus they come in a plethora of fun shades to choose from for endless manicure creations without breaking the bank.
Best Dip-Powder Nail Kits
- Best Starter Kit: Azure Beauty Nail Dip-Powder Starter Kit
- Best for Nude Nails: AZUREBEAUTY Dip Powder Nail Kit Starter
- Best for Healthier Nails: Kiara Sky Dipping Powders Essential Kit
- Best for Salon-Quality Nails: DipWell Dip-Powder Nail Starter Kit
- Best for Shiny and Shimmery Nails: Aikker Glitter Color Dip-Powder Nail Kit
What are Dip-Powder Nails?
So, what exactly are dip-powder nails? “They’re another method that is used to harden your natural nails or to add length just as you can with gel or acrylic,” says Syreeta Aaron, a manicurist and LeChat Nails educator. Dip-powder nails are typically done with a basic three-to five-step process — this, of course, does not include prep and polish. (More on the application and removal in a bit.)
Dip-Powder Versus Gel Nails
The difference between gel polishes and dip-powder nails is their durability. “With gel polish, you may still experience some breakage on your natural nails versus with dip-powder. The durability is much better, saying that the product is much thicker, causing less breakage,” explains Aaron. However, she adds that gel builder and dip-powder are very similar. “The amount of product you use with the gel builder will depend on the thickness and strength of the nail.”
Dip-Powder Versus Press-On Nails
Press-on nails are a temporary nail enhancement that may last for just 2 to 3 days if not done properly or last up to a week if done correctly, meaning you cleaned off the nail plate of any dead skin and remove the oils before starting the dip-powder. “One has to be very careful with press-ons because if there are any air pockets where the glue did not get onto the nail plate, fungus can easily occur,” says Aaron. “However, with dip-powder nails, you are sure to get full coverage eliminating the possibilities for fungus, and they last much longer.”
How Long Do Dip-Powder Nails Last?
According to Aaron, dip-powder nails can last 2 to 3 weeks, depending on how fast the nails grow and someone's day-to-day activities. So if you work with your hands frequently, like washing their dishes or rowing daily, you'll likely experience more chips than someone who doesn't partake in labor-intensive activities.
How to Apply
Although nailing the look you want may take some practice, if you're a manicure enthusiast and willing to put in a little work, you'll have the perfect powder-dipped nails in no time. To achieve this style, start with freshly manicured fingertips, free of any polish, with neatly trimmed cuticles. The instructions from different dip-powder nail kits will vary slightly, but the process should be fairly similar overall:
- Simply paint on a base coat to begin, dip the nails into the powder, and repeat as desired.
- Next, brush on the activator to bond the color.
- Shape and buff the nails to the perfect finish.
- Then finalize the mani with a thin layer of top coat.
How to Remove
As this technique mirrors salon-quality application, the removal process should be as well. The most important step is to soak off the nails carefully using acetone — instead of forcibly removing or peeling it off — to ensure the nail beds stay healthy and tips stay strong. We recommend using soak-off caps for an easy and mess-free application.
How We Chose
Dip-powder nails are ideal for budget-conscious people who want their nails always to look fly. Since they mimic the look of salon-quality manicures, they require a little leg work to remove, but the process should only take a fraction of the time it would be compared to the time suck of going to a salon.
Ready to give it a go? Read on to discover the best dip-powder nail kits and essential accessories to help you kick-start your at-home nail salon! Each item was researched by our beauty editor, Nicole Saunders, who considered the overall value of the kits, including the price, the number of powder shades available, accessories included in each set, reviewer feedback, texture, and more. Saunders also kept price in mind because she understands first-hand what it's like to shop on a budget and considers herself relatively frugal. Our most affordable suggestion is just under $10. Other mid-tier options are $35 or less, plus a couple of splurges for anyone looking to treat themself (or a very lucky loved one) to a high-end kit.
Nicole Saunders is the beauty editor at Best Products with over seven years of experience researching, writing, and editing lifestyle content. She specializes in breaking down complicated topics, like high-frequency wands and microcurrent devices, into easy-to-understand guides. She takes great pride in heavily researching and testing featured beauty products, — such as hairdryers and foundations — on our site, and spotlights her all-time seasonal favorites in her quarterly column Best New Beauty. And she tests quite literally thousands of launches for our Beauty Awards package.
Jennifer is the former beauty editor for BestProducts.com, where she’s testing out everything from the latest lip gloss to the craziest skincare trend sweeping the online beauty-verse. Her work has been featured in Allure, Byrdie, HelloGiggles, and more. When she’s not swatching eyeshadow all over her arms, you can find the NYC-based editor scouring for hours on end for vintage finds, eating pad thai, and hanging out with her cat, Chunks.
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