How to “dip your way to healthier nails” the Dipology way!
Manicure Prep
Great nails start with a great foundation! Before you apply your dip powder, we recommend that you give yourself a manicure. Removing overgrown cuticles from your nail plate prevents lifting & helps you achieve a long lasting manicure.
1. Starting with naked nails, wash your hands and proceed to soak them in warm water for 5 to 10 minutes to soften your cuticles. We suggest using our Nail Rehab for this step. Find out more about the benefits of our nail soak and why you don't want to do another manicure without it!
2. Next gently push back your softened cuticles with the flat side of an orange stick or your cuticle pusher of choice. Gently trace the base of your nail plate until you remove all excess dead skin. We recommend only pushing back your cuticles and removing any debris that comes directly off the nail. We don't recommend cutting or trimming your cuticles.
3. Next trim and file your nails to your desired shape only filing in one direction. Wipe off nails with rubbing alcohol to throughly cleanse your nails then follow up with acetone to further dehydrate and cleanse your nails.
4. Allow your nails to dry at least 30 minutes (longer if you can) because excess water in your nails can lead to lifting. We also recommend dehydrating your nails with 100% acetone again right before starting your manicure.
How to Apply Dip Powder: Dip Method
1. Apply primer to nails to ensure a clean surface and promote adhesion.
2. Apply a thin layer of Dipology Vitamin E Base Coat to about 80% of your nail (for the next layers apply base to your entire nail just below the cuticle).
3. Shake your jar of powder to make sure the pigment is evenly distributed. Then dip your nail into the powder at a 45 degree angle. Tap off excess powder & repeat the process on all fingers then dust off excess powder with a duster brush & stiff nail brush. We recommend starting all manicures with our clear dip powder, Glass because it’s the strongest powder and helps for a long lasting manicure.
4. Repeat steps 2 & 3 until desired color & thickness is reached (3 dips is average - also finishing your manicure helps protect your color from buffing and gives extra shine). Apply a generous amount of Dipology Activator to all nails to harden. Let it dry for 2 minutes.
5. Using a 180/100 grit nail file shape & buff your nails removing all imperfections (the thinner you apply the products there should be very little filing & drilling required). Buff perfect & smooth your nails with an 180/100 grit nail buffer.
6. Brush off any excess filing dust & apply Dipology Activator again. Let it dry for 2 minutes. Wipe off Nails with a paper towel then apply 2 coats of Dipology Top Coat. Apply the first coat thin & quick then apply a slower more precise final coat & let dry for 5 minutes. Finish with cuticle oil around cuticles and under your nail's free edge.
How to Apply Dip Powder: Pour Method
1. Apply primer to nails to ensure a clean surface and promote adhesion.
2. Apply a thin layer of Dipology Vitamin E Base Coat to about 80% of your nail (for the next layers apply base to your entire nail just below the cuticle).
3. Shake your jar of powder to make sure the pigment is evenly distributed. Then using a pour over tray or cupcake liner pour dip powder over your nail. Tap off excess powder & repeat the process on all fingers then dust off excess powder with a duster brush & stiff nail brush. We recommend starting all manicures with our clear dip powder, Glass because it’s the strongest powder and helps for a long lasting manicure.
4. Repeat steps 2 & 3 until desired color & thickness is reached (3 dips is average - also finishing your manicure helps protect your color from buffing and gives extra shine). Apply a generous amount of Dipology Activator to all nails to harden. Let it dry for 2 minutes.
5. Using a 180/100 grit nail file shape & buff your nails removing all imperfections (the thinner you apply the products there should be very little filing & drilling required). Buff perfect & smooth your nails with an 180/100 grit nail buffer.
6. Brush off any excess filing dust & apply Dipology Activator again. Let it dry for 2 minutes. Wipe off Nails with a paper towel then apply 2 coats of Dipology Top Coat. Apply the first coat thin & quick then apply a slower more precise final coat & let dry for 5 minutes. Finish with cuticle oil around cuticles and under your nail's free edge.
Easy Dip Powder Removal
1. Fill a bowl or large ziplock bag with hot water & place the bag inside of a bowl for stability.
2. Fill another large ziplock bag with pure acetone, oil of your choice (we recommend coconut or olive oil) & a paper towel then place it inside of the bowl/bag with hot water.
3. You can buff off the top coat of your nails with a course nail file to help the acetone penetrate the dip powder more easily or you can just begin soaking your nails (if your application is thick we recommend filing them down some to save time). Scrub your nails against the paper towel to create friction & help speed the process along.
4. This process can take 5 to 20 minutes depending on thickness of your manicure, how hot you can stand your water and if your dip powder contains glitter. The double bag method makes for easy clean up and now you can go directly into your manicure prep routine.
Hot Oil Nail Soak
Hot oil nail soaks are great for your nails, but they require a little planning so we recommend adding this to your nail routine once a month and do it on the weekend or when you can reap all of the benefits over night.
1. After you have soaked off your last manicure and have done your Nail Rehab or warm water manicure prep, we recommend doing a hot oil soak. It's like a hot oil treatment for your hair, but for your nails. Add an oil of your choice (we recommend coconut, jojoba or olive oil with a few drops of our Vitamin-Rich Nail & Cuticle Oil) to a plastic bag and place it in a bowl of hot water.
2. Let your nails soak in this mixture for 5 to 10 minutes.
3. Wipe off some of the excess oil and throughly rub in the rest into your hands, nails, cuticles and under your nails. If you think you need a little extra TLC sleep in disposable gloves with a little more cuticle oil added to the tips.
4. In the morning thoroughly clean your nails with alcohol and acetone and proceed with your manicure as normal.
Tips for our Vitamin E Dipping Liquids
Use our Vitamin E Dipping Liquids like any other but here are a few tips!
1. Our Base Coat has a medium dry time. For best results complete all 5 nails on one hand or all 10 before brushing off excess powder & completing your next layer.
2. We recommend starting your manicure off with a layer of clear before going in with your desired color. This give your nails extra strength & a with thin even applications you ca n still do 2 or 3 layers of color without having thick/bulky nails.
3. Apply Activator liberally after you are finished dipping to make sure all of your layers are completely dry. Also let your nails dry for about 2 minutes after the Activator because our Activator initially softens the powder into a more smooth finish before hardening which allows for easier filing to a smooth & shiny finish
4. Apply 2 layers of Top Coat & be sure to cap off the free edge for long wear. Also wipe off your brush in between each application to prevent brush hardening & contaminating your liquids.