If you have nails that are barely longer than your fingertips, it's actually recommended for you to apply dip powder on short natural nails and NOT use fake nail tips while you grow them out. This will protect your short nails, prevent them from breaking, and help them gain strength.
You Can Apply Dip to Any Nail Length
Dip manicures can be performed whether you have short nails or super long talons. If you have short nails, your manicurist can even add tip extensions to create more length, then apply the dip powder on top. You won't be able to tell that part of the nail is fake.
You can keep them short! That's ok! Dip Powder will work fine on your short nails. It will adhere well, provide strength, have a great shine, and last a long time on a short nail just like it does on a long nail.
Dip powder is harder and more durable than gel. As such, it's a great option for those with weak nails or people who do a lot of labor with their hands. No UV lamp.
Acrylic manicure is the go-to style for people with short nails. It adds more length to your natural nails and can last as long as three weeks. To create an acrylic nail, your manicurist uses powder polymer and a liquid monomer that forms a hard acrylic layer that resembles your natural nails.
So, instead what you can do is opt to shape your nails in either an oval or almond shape. These shapes will help give off the illusion of longer nails.
Dip powder still allows nail techs to extend the nail's length. In fact, “dip powder is more lightweight than acrylic, which allows it to wear and tear better and last longer,” Lily shares.
Therefore, professional nail products — be it dip powder or gel — are equally healthy for the nails. In fact, the most important thing to know about dip powder or gel is that neither inherently causes damage to the nail. Instead, damage is caused by improper application or removal of nail coatings.
If you have damaged nails, you can just use the Base & Finish dip nail powder for strength right now and do fills as they grow out instead of soaking off. This way, you will have some protection on your weak nails.
SNS is suitable for short, medium to long length of nails. SNS can be applied directly on top of your natural nails (which we usually refer to as an 'overlay') or it could be applied on top of extensions, also known as tips (which we usually refer to as an 'SNS full-set) if extra length is required.
Board-certified dermatologist Chris Adigun, MD, FAAD, recommends durable manicures like the one that you can get from dip powder nails for some of her patients. This hard-as-nails manicure can help a patient stop biting or picking at their nails. You literally cannot bite or pick off this nail color.
After each powder coat, the manicurist will brush the excess powder off your hands with a blush brush and then eventually send you to wash your hands to remove any excess powder. Like with gel, your nails will be dry immediately and look a bit thicker than they would with a regular polish manicure.
DIP MANI REMEDY: Chipping and cracking can often be caused by not having enough dip layers or your layers being too thin. Cold weather is another culprit. 😲 The quick fix? On your next dip mani session, remember to add 1-2 layers of dip powder.
Choose soak-off gel nails instead of acrylic nails.
While gel nails can cause nail brittleness, peeling, and cracking, they're more flexible than acrylic nails. This means your own nails are less likely to crack. You'll want to ask for gel nails that soak off rather than ones that must be filed off.
In the end, it all comes down to what you want. Both Shellac and dip nail powders have good and bad benefits. If you want to avoid the harmful UV rays, a dip nail is a good option for you. Consider the outcome you want to achieve, and it will be easier to decide.
Terrell suggests a week-long break between applications, and a two-week break every three applications. And of course, take longer, more frequent breaks if your nails feel particularly brittle after removal. During your dip powder rest period, it's important to use products like nail strengtheners and cuticle oil.
Skin repels your dip powder application and if there is dead skin sitting on the nail plate near the cuticle, your SNS nails will lift prematurely causing that annoying 'stuck in hair' issue. A few easy tools to help push back your cuticles and make them ready for application.
The acrylic-like, multi-layered (re: thick) nature of dip powder manicures can ensure that they last longer than gel, but it also means they are more difficult to remove. "Overall, gel polish is much easier to remove than dip powder," King explains. "They both need to be soaked off, but dip powder will take longer."
Medium length nails are lively, sophisticated, and classy. They can be worn for any occasion; as these nails are practical enough for your everyday adventures, yet glamorous enough for your weekend festivities. To sum it up, medium length nails are absolutely essential for any nail enthusiast.
Nude and pastel colors are a great choice for short nails, as they actively make them look longer. Because they visually appear like they're continuing your finger line, they make your fingers look thinner and slimmer. For best results, use a color that's a shade lighter than your skin tone.
Dark and Dramatic Shades
When you wear dark-colored nail polish on short nails, the color draws the eye vertically along the length of the nail, making it look longer. Dark colors like black, navy, deep purple, and burgundy have a magnificent slimming effect on nails.