- Beauty
- Nails
ByKelli CatanaandEmily Hunt
If you're tired of your regular gel manicure and are looking for a long-lasting polish option that doesn't involve exposing your hands to UV light, you may want to give a dip powder manicure a try. Not only do dip powder manicures last just as long, if not longer than gel manicures, but there's no curing involved. "Unlike gel, which is applied like polish and cured with a UV light, dip powder is applied directly to the nail via a three-step process — base/primer coat, color coat until desired coverage is achieved, activator/top coat — and air dries so you don't need a UV light," Juli Russell, a DIY nail expert for Sally Beauty, tellsWomen's Health.
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Dip powder manicures don't have to be one solid color, either. You can still do glitter, ombré, and French tips with dip powder, although gel may give you a bit more options when it comes to nail art. "It's a great option for someone who works with their hands a lot or doesn't have the time to dedicate to weekly manicure maintenance," Russell adds (via Women's Health). If you've been thinking about giving this manicure trend a try, you're in luck, as there are several dip powder nail designs out there that are sure to inspire your next manicure.
Mirror nails
Mirror nails are one of this season's hottest new nail trends, and you don't have to go for a regular gel manicure to get this sleek effect. After your nail technician applies the chrome powder to your nails, they'll buff it smooth before applying a water-based top coat to help avoid any cracking. After that, a regular top coat will be added to help make your mirror manicure last even longer.
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Tortoiseshell French
Many believe that you can't do nail art or get creative when it comes to dip nail manicures, but that isn't the case. We love how this nail artist created this tortoiseshell French manicure, opting to keep the pattern traditional with black and brown tips — which is sure to compliment any outfit.
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Red side French
This pale pink manicure features two accent nails with red side French tips. We can't help but be reminded of Valentine's Day with this romantic manicure, but it is a look that can work at any time of year. Using two different colors of dip powder can create a simple yet striking look.
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Black and pink splatter
Add a little color to your nails with this black and pink splatter design. Dip powders come in a variety of solid pigments as well as mixed versions with matte glitter to give this effect that is reminiscent of paint splatter. This design works for a full manicure or even a lone accent nail.
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Neon Yellow
Make a statement with these neon yellow nails. You can add a glitter accent nail like this nail artist did, or go for the full neon manicure. You don't have to save your neon nails for the summer of that tropical vacation either — because this look is a huge trend any time of the year.
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Glorious green
We love how this nail artist incorporated a few different techniques to create this flawless look. After applying the green dip powder to the nails, a glitter coat was applied to create three stunning accent nails. Simple, solid-colored nails with a shiny topcoat complete this sparkly manicure.
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Halloween pink
We love a good theme nail! When the fall rolls around — or if you love Halloween all year long — celebrate with this pretty dip powder manicure topped with Halloween nail art. Bats, pumpkins, ghosts, and spider webs are made a little less spooky courtesy of the pink base coat. Thanks to the durability of dip powder, this manicure will last you almost all of the spooky season.
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Fuchsia and purple
With a little creativity, you can easily create custom looks with your dip powder manicure. This nail artist used fuchsia and purple powders to create this stunning set. In addition to alternating the colors on different nails, this nail artist combined the colors on one nail in the form of glitter to complete the look.
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Stark white
A white manicure looks good on anyone, which is why it is so popular. White is the ultimate in neutral nail colors, and it will match any outfit while looking clean, crisp, and classy. If you want to try a dip manicure for the first time but are unsure what color to choose, you will never go wrong with testing out the white nail theory and choosing this crisp white dip powder.
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Snowflake nail decals
To create this seasonal manicure, this nail artist applied a milky white dip powder base to the nails with a subtle French tip, while covering one accent nail in clear polish. They then applied snowflake decals to the accent nail. Nail decals are a great way to add a little fun and personality to any manicure.
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Neon butterflies
Whether you have a talented nail artist who can hand-paint intricate designs or you prefer to encapsulate nail decals like these stunning butterflies on top of a vibrant, eye-popping yellow base, one thing is for sure: Everyone will be talking about your nails. Finish the look with a glittery topcoat for extra playfulness.
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Cobalt blue
This vivacious cobalt blue nail color with two accent nails is the perfect manicure any time of the year. The deeper shade of blue has us feeling all warm and fuzzy during the colder months, while the sparkle makes this look perfect for a summer holiday party under the stars.
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Solid hot pink
If you're looking for a fun, sexy, and playful color for your next manicure, choose a vibrant look like this hot pink powder. This color oozes femininity and confidence. Although this color is striking on the beach or poolside, you can wear it any time of the year for an extra pop of color when you need it.
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Colorful French mani
There is nothing quite as timeless as a classic French manicure. This nail artistelevates a basic French manicure by reaching for several fashion colors instead of creating an all-white look. Although each nail is different, the look is so cohesive that we can't help but be in awe.
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Glitter pink
Adding glitter to your manicure is one way to take a neutral powder from classic to creative. Pink, gold, and silver glitter powder is added over a pale pink base to add some dimension to the nails while also creating a few different looks. It's subtle enough for daytime wear yet has just the right amount of sparkle to work for a night on the town.
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Delicate daisies
Too cute! What better way to celebrate spring (or simply brighten your day) than with the addition of daisy nail art? Daisies are usually associated with a more youthful look, but this chic white powder used on the solid color nails gives this manicure a more sophisticated vibe while still being totally adorable.
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Shiny ombré
Ombré nails, a gradient of color over the nails, have grown in popularity recently. This is such a fun look and one that is almost easier to create using dip powders over gel polish. What's more, dip powder brand Kiara Sky explains, "It is most common to have a light color at the beginning of the nail, which will gradually blend into a darker color once it reaches the tip."
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Winter wonderland
You can create this gorgeous winter wonderland theme nail using a soft pink dip powder and creating a sugared snowflake on one statement nail. This manicure looks like it was difficult to do, but with practice, this is something beginners can try with ease. And since no two snowflakes are the same, you can switch up your statement nail on each hand and not worry if you can't match your snowflakes.
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Black tips
Another twist on the French manicure is switching up the color of the tips from classic white to black. We've seen endless variations of this timeless look, but if you're looking for something simple but with a bit more edge than the traditional color combination, you need to embrace your emo side with a black French manicure. The almond shape of these nails helps accentuate the look, creating a chic and sophisticated manicure.
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Matte red
One quick and easy way to give your manicure a new fresh and chic vibe is to use a matte dip powder. Matte finishes are a huge trend regardless of the season.This deep red works so well because dip powders are naturally more pigmented, giving an eye-popping result.
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Pale pink with fun accent nails
Accent nails are a fun way to incorporate a design into your set without having to commit to an over-the-top look. And what better design than a classic animal print and glitter combo? Grab a soft pink color for the base and keep the overall look cohesive in the same pink family for a tied-together look.
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Lavender dream
Kick your solid-colored mani up a notch with this fun yet chic manicure. There are endless shades of purple dip powder because it seems to be one of the most popular nail colors. We love these various shades of muted lavender with a fun and vibrant rich purple accent nail design.
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Gradient sparkles
Glitter polish gives off holiday and evening vibes, but creating a gradient effect using glitter makes this manicure great for everyday wear. Accenting one statement nail with gradient glitter is a beautiful way to add a bit of sparkle to your manicure, but we love how this nail artist incorporated glitter and a chrome finish on each nail for an eye-catching overall look.
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Simple baby blue
Blue is one of the hottest shades this year for manicures, which is why we're obsessed with this simple baby blue look. "Always a favorite, we won't see bright blue going anywhere anytime soon," Rachel Apfel Glass, founder of GLOSSLAB, predicted toInStyle. "Pastels also feel warm and can brighten any mood." This color is perfect for winter, too!
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Naturally nude
Nude nails are ideal for those that embrace a minimalist look. "A clean, natural nail compliments everything; it's a classic look that won't look out of place at work or for a special occasion," nail technician Metta Francis tellsHarper's Bazaar. This look is sleek, simple, and elegant — perfect for any occasion.
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Classic pink
Delicate, soft, feminine, and classic are all words used to describe this classic pink dip powder. Pink nails will always be on trend, and if you're looking for something a bit understated but with more color than the milky white trend that has been popular lately, this soft classic pink is a solid choice.
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French love
Add some fun nail art to your French manicure to add a bit of personality. Emily H. Rudman, CEO and Founder of Emilie Heathe, explained toRefinery29that this is a hot trend. "Embellished French manicures are everywhere right now," Heathe explained. "Think of it as a typical French manicure, perhaps in a fun color, with some other design element accompanying it." With this look, your outfits will be elevated to new heights.
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Purple perfection
The increase in purple manicures this year is no accident. Veri Peri is a vibrant blueish-purple shade of periwinkle and was named by Pantone as the color of the year in 2022, and it's bleeding into 2023 as well. As such, it has been popping up constantly on manicures. The above nail artist combined purple, pink, and black glitter to create a fun and on-trend look with this manicure.
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Watermelon sugar
Once again, blue nails are hot this year, and so is nail art. Combine the two, and you have this stunning summer manicure. How cute are these watermelon slices painted on these statement nails? If you're not confident in your nail art skills, you can get decals to create different looks to fit your moods and season. Whether this is actually a consequence of Harry Styles' hit song "Watermelon Sugar" or not may be up for debate, but what's not is that this look is incredibly hot.
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Pastel rainbow
This pastel manicure featuring several shades of the rainbow is ideal for those who just can't decide on one nail color but love a muted look. This look is classic enough for daytime but also works for an evening out. We love the addition of a glitter topcoat for added creativity.
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Half French tip
A fun take on the color-block French manicure, a half-French mani is an ultra-easy and super minimalist way to glam up your typical dip powder nail. Personally, we love the white-on-nude situation up above, but if bright colors are your thing, why not pair a nostalgic color combo like pink and green?
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Minimalistic hearts
Maybe you're gearing up for Valentine's Day, or maybe you just have plenty of love to go around. Whatever the case, go ahead and embody your love for love by getting mini hearts drawn on your dip powder nails. The colors you choose are up to you — a white base will offer some classy elegance, while red hearts on a black base could add some allure to your look.
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Rose quartz design
If you're a long-time fan of rose quartz nailsand a recent convert to dip powder, don't worry — you can still get your crystalline vibes on with a dip powder manicure. This goes for any marbled look in general, so feel free to play around when coming up with marbled inspo for your next dip nail look.
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Simple and sweet lines
If you don't want anything fancy or want to do a DIY dip powder nail design from the comfort of your home, you can't go wrong by capitalizing on simple lines. Play around with the thickness of each line you draw and do them at different angles on each nail for a look that holds plenty of interest without being overwhelming.
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Textured decals
Are you getting ready to go to a big party? Or maybe you just love the party vibes in general and want to capture them on the daily. When this is the case, go big and bold with your dip powder nail design by adding some textured nail decals on top. We love how the polka dots above give the manicure a confetti look, though if maximalism isn't your vibe, you can always add one or two decals for a tiny touch of fun.
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Gorgeously geometric
For another quick and easy dip powder design you can do yourself, go a step up from simple lines to a more intricate geometric design. Geometric designs don't have to be overly complicated; play around with crisscrossing lines, and add a textured look with some dots if you want. Draw it over a light base to make your design really stand out.
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Matte and muted florals
In case you missed it, floral nail art doesn't have to be boring — especially when drawn on dip powder nails. Take the matte floral design above, for example. An experienced nail tech will be able to achieve a multicolored floral design, but if you're doing it at home, you may want to stick to a single color for the floral design until you get the hang of it.
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Colorfully mismatched
Can't make up your mind on what design to use for your dip powder nails? Luckily, you don't have to — just get all of them. It will be helpful if your base color is the same on each nail (as your nail tech will be able to simply draw the design on top), but again, it doesn't have to be.
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Toned-down dots
Have you already hopped onto the pointillism nails train?We love polka dots as much as the next gal, but sometimes, a nail full of dots is just a bit too much. If you still want the pointillism look — but a little more minimal — play around with drawing just a few dots on top of your dip powder mani. This is a super easy look to achieve, and it will definitely take your manicure up a notch.
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