Dip powder

Dip powder is a way of colouring and strengthening the nail without a lamp. The therapist brushes on a thin resin, dips the nail into a jar of fine coloured powder, taps off the excess and repeats two or three times. A sealing coat hardens the layers into a smooth, durable surface.

It lasts about three to four weeks, a little longer than gel polish, and feels thicker on the nail. Removal is by soaking in acetone, which takes ten to fifteen minutes. The most common hygiene question is dipping several clients' nails into the same jar; a careful technician pours powder over the nail or uses a fresh pot instead.

Hamd Beauty does not offer dip powder. The gel manicure gives a similar wear time with a thinner feel. Dip resins are related to the glue used for false nails, and a few people react to them; if your skin around the nail becomes sore, stop and ask your doctor. This is general information, not medical advice.