The Dip vs The Gel

Are you looking to up your manicure game for yourself or your clients? With all the manicure options out there, how do you decide what to get? We compare two popular choices: dip powder vs gel nails.

Read on to learn about the differences between dipping powder and gel polish and if it'd be suitable for you.

What Are Dip Powder Nails?

Dip powder nails are similar to classic acrylic nails, but they're applied differently and have more flexibility as far as what you can do with them. They're durable and long-lasting. While many think that dip powder nails are a "new thing," they've been used for decades!

You can read about the difference between dip powder and acrylic nails here.

You start with a base coat (just as you would with any other manicure). Many technicians also choose to put a bonder underneath to protect the nail and extend the longevity of the manicure.

After this, you dip the nail into a coloured powder as many times as you need to get a bright and opaque result. If your clients have concerns about this aspect then you can pour the dip powder over the nail and into a tray to catch the excess powder. There are many impressive nail powders and the look and feel of dip powder manicures isn't replicable with other nail enhancement methods. 

After this, you put a top coat on to set the powder in place and smooth the nail. 

Pros and Cons

One of the good things about dip powder nails is that they're able to last over a month without chipping. The application process is also a lot simpler and easier to do compared to acrylic nails. Unlike gel nails, dip powder nails don't have to cure with UV light.

Dip powder manicures give the nails strength whilst also maintaining flexibility and a lightweight feel.

That said, powder nails are a little harder to remove than gel. The powder might make the nail look bulky if you have multiple coats and poor application.

What Is Gel? 

Gel nails are also a popular choice of manicure for their simple yet refined look.

A gel manicure involves painting on gel polish over base coat directly on the nail in the same manner you would with regular nail polish however. However gel nails require a UV/LED lamp to dry or 'cure' the gel polish. Whether you need a UV or LED lamp depends on what gel polish you use. 

Pros and Cons

Gel nails look more "natural" which may be good or bad depending on your client's wishes. A lot of popular nail art trends are also able to be created using gel polishes making gel an ideal medium for creating nail art.

Gel nails are easier to remove but might be damaging if you don't prep the nail ahead of time. It's quite tempting to pick at chipped gel nails too

Because the process is so similar to "normal" nail painting, many people like the process of gel nails as it feels familiar. Because of the UV light, the manicures last longer than normal nail polish. Gel manicures tend to last 2-3 weeks without chipping, depending on the wearer's daily activities.

That said, they don't last as long as dip powder nails. 

Powder vs Gel Nails: Which Is Right for You? 

When it comes to powder vs gel nails, the only real issue is preference. Both manicures will give bold, awesome, and long-lasting results. 

For a stronger and more durable manicure, dip powder is the better option. For someone who wants a basic manicure with better longevity than regular nail polish, though, then gel is a great choice. 

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