Dip powder manicures are long-lasting, but that comes at a cost: The removal process is trickier than swiping on nail polish remover as you would for regular nail polish. Knowing that, you might talk yourself out of a dip powder appointment at the thought of having to go back to the salon weeks later to have it removed. If you dread spending time and money on a follow-up appointment, your best bet is to learn how to remove dip powder at home.
If you’re familiar with dip powder manicures, you know they differ from gel manicures, another style of manicure that similarly offers two-ish weeks of chip-free colour. Dip powder manicures involve applying an acrylic powder and then hardening it with a clear sealant, explains Elizabeth Garcia, a celebrity nail artist who’s partnered with CliqOnU. Dip powder can be applied to either your natural nails or over nail tips. “There’s no need for an LED or UV light,” explains Garcia. On the other hand, gel polish “can only be cured with an LED or UV light,” she says. Although the two differ when it comes to application, the removal process is very similar. For both, you buff the surface of your nails, soak cotton in acetone, wrap your fingers (commonly in tin foil), and allow them to soak.
While that initial buffing step sounds optional, you never want to skip it, says Garcia. “Some people skip the first step of filing off the top layer, which is the layer that seals the powder,” she says. “You must break that seal before wrapping [your nails] with acetone.” Otherwise, the acetone isn’t able to properly sink in and break down the powder.
The rest is mostly a matter of giving your nails enough time to soak. So, as long as you have a few basic tools and some patience, removing dip powder on your own is totally doable. Cue up your current pick on Netflix (Sex Education, anyone?) and follow this step-by-step on how to remove dip powder nail colour from Garcia.
At this point, your nails and prepped for another manicure — whether you choose to try your hand at a powder dip nail kit at home or hit up the salon — or they are clean and ready for a breather between paint jobs.
This story first appeared on www.shape.com
Hero and Feature image: Courtesy Getty Images / AdobeStock
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