How Do Dip Manicures Differ From Other Types of Manicures?

Though the end result looks similar to any other type of professional manicure, there are notable differences between dip powder nails and other types of manicures.

Dip nails vs. gel nails

If you’re a manicure enthusiast, you’re probably familiar with gel nails. This popular type of manicure involves painting the nails with a liquid gel polish and curing each layer under a UV or LED light. Gel manicures can be done in a salon or at home (provided you have a UV lamp on hand), and typically last between two and three weeks with proper care. Dip manicures, by contrast, involve dipping the nails into a pigmented powder. There’s no curing involved, and you can usually expect your manicure to last a bit longer than gels—up to four weeks or so.

Dip nails vs. acrylic nails

Dip powder does contain acrylic polymers, but it differs from standard acrylic nails in a few key ways. Firstly, acrylics are typically considered nail enhancements since, in most cases, the process adds length to your natural nail. Dip powder nails can be applied over nail extensions, but it’s not necessary—you can apply dip powder on natural nails for color without any added length. In terms of wear, both acrylics and dip nails provide long-lasting results. However, acrylics need to be filled roughly every two weeks to prevent lifting and peeling. Dip nails, on the other hand, don’t get filled—instead, once your nails begin to grow out, you can remove the polish and re-do your manicure.