Want to get your nails done, but don’t know what to get?! Learn the difference between dip vs acrylic nails to pick the right manicure for you.
About to get your nails done, but don’t know what to get?!
There are so many techniques your nail technician can do to achieve the EXACT nail look you want.
However, if you are new to getting your nails done (don’t worry… we’ve all been there), it can be stressful to know what to ask for… or what you even want done!
From dip powder to acrylic, gel, and more, it can be overwhelming.
But, fear not, in this article you’ll learn all about dip vs acrylic nails.
Dip powder and acrylic nails are two popular techniques you can ask for when getting your nails done.
(P.S.: I’m a dip with tips kind of girl!)
While they both give beautiful results, they each share their similarities and differences.
That’s why in this article you’ll learn all about dip vs acrylic nails so you can pick the best manicure for you.
What are Dip Nails?
Dip nails are a technique that involves applying a base coat, dipping your nails into a jar of powder, and then applying a topcoat.
When your nails are dipped in powder, this gives your nails your desired color.
So, if you want your nails to be bright pink, your technician will dip your nails in a bright pink powder.
Your technician will dip your nails into the powder multiple times to get the exact opacity you want.
With dip nails you can also get designs on your nails after the dip process is complete.
So, if you want to get dip powder nails with french tips, you can do so!
Additionally, if you want to get a dip powder manicure, but have longer/ artificial nails applied, you can ask for “dip with tip” nails.
This just means the technician will apply artificial nails first, then apply the dip powder.
What are Acrylic Nails?
Acrylic nails involve using a mixture of liquid monomer and powder polymer to create a paste that’s then bonded to your natural nails.
This paste creates the overall shape and style of your nails.
Once the paste is applied to the nails, over time it hardens and becomes more and more durable.
Once hardened, the nails can then be filed, polished, and then designed to your desired look.
Like dip powder nails, you can also get acrylic tips/ extensions that are glued onto the tips of your nails to add length to your natural nails.
What’s the Difference Between Dip vs Acrylic Nails?
Here’s a breakdown of the differences between dip vs acrylic nails.
Application Process
How to Apply Dip Nails:
The dip powder manicure process is a bit more intensive than a regular manicure. Here are the steps to a dip powder manicure:
- Optional: Tips will be applied to the nail if you are looking to add length to your natural nails.
- A base coat will be applied to the nail.
- Nails will be dipped into dip powder jar. Or, the dip powder will be brushed onto the nail.
- Technician will repeat the above process until they achieve the desired color/ look.
- Top coat applied to the nails to lock in the manicure.
How to Apply Acrylic Nails:
The acrylic manicure process is more intensive than a dip powder manicure. Here are the steps to an acrylic manicure:
- Optional: Tips will be applied to the nail if you are looking to add length to your natural nails.
- The nail tech will combine powder and liquid to form a paste which is then applied to the nail.
- The nail tech will mold the dough-like material to your nail to achieve your desired look.
- Once molded and hardened, your nails will be painted and designed.
How Long do Results Last
How Long do Dip Nails Last:
Dip nails can last at least 3-4 weeks and up to 6 plus weeks.
Personally, I get dip with tip nails and have found they last me about 6-7 weeks before I need to get them redone because of my natural nail growth.
How Long do Acrylic Nails Last:
Acrylic nails can last up to 6 plus weeks; however, again you may want to get them refilled sooner if your natural nails grow fast.
Tips to Make Your Manicure Last
In general, both dip and acrylic nails do last at least a month as long as you take proper care of your nails.
Some tips to make your manicure last longer include:
- Wearing gloves when you wash the dishes. (I use these dishwashing gloves on Amazon and they work wonders!).
- Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! Whether it be with regular hand lotion or cuticle oil, try to keep your hands/ nails hydrated.
- Don’t pick at your nails.
- If you get acrylic nails, consider getting them filled every couple of weeks to prevent breakage. Unfortunately… you can’t get dip with tip nails refilled because it uses an entirely different process.
Removal Process
Rather than picking at your manicure and potentially damaging your natural nails, here are steps to take to remove your dip or acrylic nails.
It’s worth noting you can choose to remove your manicure yourself at home, or get them removed the next time you’re at the nail salon.
Personally, I’d recommend getting them removed professionally to ensure you don’t damage your natural nails.
How to Remove Dip Nails:
If you go to the nail salon to remove your dip nails, the nail tech will:
- Use an electric file to file down the top layer of the dip powder polish. This will help the acetone later on soak more efficiently to remove the polish.
- Your nails will then be soaked in acetone. Your nail tech may soak cotton balls with acetone, put it on your nail, then wrap your nails in aluminum foil to speed up the process.
How to Remove Acrylic Nails:
A nail tech will follow these steps to remove your acrylic nails.
- Trim down your acrylic nail extensions.
- Buff the nail to allow the acetone later on to more effectively soak and break down the polish.
- Your nails will then soak in acetone.
- The polish will be pushed off using a metal cuticle pusher.
Dip vs Acrylic: Pros & Cons
Stuck on whether to choose dip vs acrylic nails for your next manicure?!
Here are three key factors to consider.
Dip vs Acrylic Price
The price of dip powder and acrylic nails are nearly identical.
Price of Dip Nails:
The cost of dip nails can range anywhere from $30 to $50.
If you get dip with tips, expect the cost to be an additional $10 to $20.
And, if you get a design done to your dip nails (i.e. french tips), expect that to be an additional $10 to $20.
Price of Acrylic Nails:
The cost of acrylic nails can range anywhere from $35 to $45.
Expect to pay additional for any designs done to your nails. Depending on the complexity of the design will influence the price.
Some nail salons even charge a flat fee per design on each nail (i.e. $5 per nail for an intricate nail design).
Dip vs Acrylic Look
While dip and acrylic nails look similar, they do have some key differences in terms of overall wear & tear and designs.
What do Dip Nails Look Like:
The great thing about dip nails is they tend to withstand more wear and tear than acrylic nails.
This is because dip nails are more lightweight than acrylics and thus are less likely to chip over time.
That being said, dip nails are more limited in terms of the ability to do intricate designs on your nails.
However, this doesn’t mean you can’t do any super cute nail designs.
Common examples of cute dip nail designs include:
- Ombre
- French Tip
- Accent Nails
- Color blocking
What do Acrylic Nails Look Like:
Meanwhile, acrylic nails tend to be more versatile in the complexity of designs your nail tech can do.
So… if you are wanting a super intricate set of nails, consider going with acrylics.
Just be sure to have a screenshot example photo at the ready to show your nail tech what specific design you want!
Dip vs Acrylic Safety
How Safe is Getting Dip Nails
The main safety concern when it comes to getting dip nails professionally done is the possibility of cross-contamination.
This is because some nail salons use communal dip powder jars and dip their client’s nails directly into the communal jar.
Therefore, if a customer were to have an infection/bacteria lingering on their nails, use a certain dip powder, this could potentially put other customers who use the same dip powder color at an increased risk for developing a nail infection.
Ideally, to reduce your risk of infection when getting dip nails, your nail tech should brush on the dip powder onto your nails, rather than dipping your whole nail into the communal dip powder jar.
How Safe is Getting Acrylic Nails
While you won’t have to worry about getting your nails dipped into a communal jar of dipping powder… acrylics aren’t necessarily the safer choice!
The bonding agent your nail tech uses matters.
Avoid using methyl methacrylate monomer (MMA) as this can cause nail infection and breakage.
Final Thoughts: Are Dip Or Acrylic Nails Better?
Both dip and acrylic manicures offer the opportunity to achieve gorgeous nails made to last.
While each certainly follows a different application process, dip vs acrylics are relatively the same when it comes to price and how long your nails will last.
The key differences that may sway your mind for or against dip vs acrylics is the designs you can do.
While dip nails it is more difficult to do intricate designs, your nail tech can still do classic designs (i.e. french tips or ombre) that look absolutely gorgeous.
However, if you have this super complex nail design you want done on each nail, acrylics may be the better option.
In any case, dip nails and acrylic nails are both great nail options to get done.
Still stuck on which to choose?!
You can always experiment to see which method you like better for you… you never know which technique you’ll like better until you try it out for yourself!
FAQs
Is dip powder acrylic?
No.
Dip powder nails and acrylic nails are two different manicure techniques.
Dip nails involve dipping your nails into a jar of powder to develop your desired color and style.
Meanwhile, acrylic nails involve mixing a powder and liquid solution to make a dough-like paste that your then mold to your nails to create your desired look.
Is dip powder healthier than acrylic?
No.
Dip powder isn’t necessarily “healthier” than acrylic nails.
Again, both dip and acrylic nails each have their own safety concerns explained earlier in the article.
However, if you’re considering which technique may last longer without chipping, dip nails tend to be better as they are more lightweight.
Is a dip manicure unsanitary?
Potentially.
If you nail salon uses communal dipping powder jars, this can increase your risk of developing an infection.
This is because if the customer before you who used the same dip powder color had an infection on their nails, this can spread into the powder jar.
Then, when your nails are dipped into the same jar later on, this exposes your nails to harmful bacteria/ developing an infection.
Do dip or acrylic nails last longer?
Both dip and acrylic nails tend to last about the same amount of time.
As long as you are taking good care of your nails, you should be able to get at least 4 weeks out of your dip or acrylic nails.
That being said, dip nails tend to chip less because they are more lightweight, which is something to keep in mind.
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