No More UV! These Dip Powder Nail Kits Offer Salon-Grade Manicures at Home (2024)

TL;DR

Our overall pick for the best dip powder nail kit is the Nailboo Customizable Dip Powder Kit, a high-quality formula that comes with one to six colors (depending on the amount you want to spend) that you can choose. And if you’re new to the at-home dip powder manicure scene, check out the Kiss Salon Dip Color System Kit to experiment on a budget.

Our Top Picks

Shades: 1, 4, or 6, depending on the kit | Dry Time: N/A | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This one-stop shop comes with everything you need—and we really mean that. You get to choose between one, four, and six powders (there are tons of color options) to ensure your delivery is perfectly suited for you.

The kit also provides all the tools needed for a salon-grade experience at home: a pro soak removal tray and acetone, essential dip liquids, a dip powder mini tray (which isolates any mess), a build powder, and a pro powder brush. If you're really particular and love to pay close attention to detail, you'll especially appreciate the included four-way file, cuticle milk nail serum, and cuticle tool.

We've already listed so much, but there's icing on the cake too: Dream Hands and Dream Feet rejuvenating masks are included in your buy—now that's an elevated experience all from your vanity.

Who It’s For

We love this kit for anyone who wants to bring the whole salon home, as it really provides all the ingredients for an elevated DIY dip mani or pedi.

Shades: 1 included with kit | Dry Time: 30 seconds | Cruelty-Free: No

Affordable and easy to use, this simple kit gives you a long-lasting, shiny color that lasts for up to 21 days. The kit comes with a classic red color, though there are plenty of other colors that you can purchase separately.

Pro tip: To achieve a smooth final look, have the patience to let the top coat fully dry and settle. Also, note that this kit doesn’t come with powder trays, so make sure your mani station is ready for the project.

Who It’s For

For those who prefer a thin-coated manicure, the base coat, powder activator, and top coat conceal the nail bed in fine layers, or those with fragile nails.

Shades: 1 included with kit | Dry Time: Air-dry 5 to 10 minutes | Cruelty-Free: No

“This affordable option is great for someone who wants to try out dip color without investing,” says nail artist Syreeta Aaron, a LeChat Nails Educator. (However, she does note that the results may not be quite up to par with what you’d get with other products.) Still, if you’re just looking to test the dip powder waters or aren’t concerned about the results lasting a super long time, this is a good option. You get one color included with the kit, a nude pink, though other colors are available.

Who It’s For

For the first-time dip powder user who isn’t sure if they’re ready for the switch, this kit’s neutral tone is what to start with. Every brush stroke of the base coat determines what the powder will grip onto (be careful of applying the base coat anywhere else but the nailbed). And since this powder has a light hue, working with your less dominant hand isn’t as intimidating.

Shades: 8 included with kit | Dry Time: Air-dry up to 2 minutes | Cruelty-Free: N/A

Anyone who loves to rock red will appreciate that this kit comes with eight shades in a nice variety of red tones, from a classic, fire-engine red to a deep berry (you'll notice pink and purple in the mix, too). Three shades are also glittery, should you prefer a little extra shimmer.

To achieve the full opacity of this kit's red tones, you’ll have to dip your nails in the finely milled powder several times (with a layer of base liquid applied every time in between). But removal is super easy, as it comes off in just 10 minutes.

Who It’s For

During the holiday season, this kit’s glitter powders will coat your nails with high-impact iridescence. One thing to note is that the color can fade easily, and the powder pots are especially small, so we recommend this kit to those who have short or medium-length nails.

Shades: 5 included with kit | Dry Time: Air-dry up to 2 minutes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Yes, this is on the pricier side, but it does come from one of the better-known professional dip powder brands. It’s an Amazon fan favorite, beloved for how easy it is to use and how incredible the results are. You get five colors plus all the accompanying products, including a bonder, base coat, protectant, topcoat, nourishing oil, and even a brush cleaner.Just remember that because it’s a system that has a couple of application steps to it, be confident and move quickly so that the powders apply smoothly.

Who It’s For

Looking for long wear? Since this kit comes with nourishing oil, you can extend your manicure’s lifespan without the visible signs of dry and overgrown cuticles. The brand prioritizes offering formulas that aren’t damaging to the natural nail, which helps your manicure last without any chips or cracks in the long run.

Shades: 2 included with kit | Dry Time: Air-dry up to 2 minutes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

In case you missed the memo, French manis are back—in a big way. This kit makes it easy to achieve French tips, with both a beautiful sheer pink that works great as a base and a crisp white for the tips (though, FYI, the white also looks nice worn on its own). What’s most noteworthy about this option is the addition of a clear powder that gets applied in between the two colors, helping to protect the clarity and vibrancy of both colors. AKA, there’s no need to worry about yellowing. As a bonus, this is a great all-in-one kit that includes all the tools you'll need for a DIY manicure.

Who It’s For

Finessing the white French tip at home can be especially tedious, but we’re always up for the challenge. The bonding liquid included within this kit will help your mani last and is the first step you take before applying the base coat. You’re doing the hard part of shaping the French detail, which is why the seal enhancer works to complement the base polish and ensure your nails are completely clean of surface oil.

Shades: 20 included with kit | Dry Time: Air-dry 2 minutes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you're a one-and-done kind of person (when it comes to your nail kits, at least), you'll love this pick from Saviland. Not only does each kit come with 20 colors to choose from, but there are also multiple palettes—so you're able to pick which fits your style the most. We love how vibrant the shades are and that the polishes don't chip (even after multiple weeks).

Who It’s For

This kit is a playground of color that's perfect for rainbow nails, supremely glossy finishes, or even matte nails. The application process consists of a base coat, activator, and top coat, and this kit even comes with additional brushes so your liquids don't harden on you over time. A jar of powder is only worth two to three manicures, which speaks to why there are so many colors to choose from and at such a budget-friendly price.

Shades: 3 included with kit | Dry Time: Air-dry 5 minutes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

You don't have to say goodbye to the perfect manicure if you have brittle or damaged nails with this kit. The color powders included are infused with biotin and calcium to strengthen the nails, all while adding color and shine. We love that it comes with everything you need—including a base coat, activator, and top coat—and it's simple to follow for beginners.

Who It’s For

Since the dip powders in this kit have an activator built into the formula (an activator is what cures the nails post-dip and helps the powdery layers dry down faster), you’ll get double the durability with every layer of activator liquid applied on top. As the ingredients within the color powders work to strengthen the nails, the brush restorer that comes with this kit cleans your base, activator, and top coat brushes so they last just as long.

Shades: 8 included with kit | Dry Time: Air-dry 1 minute | Cruelty-Free: Yes

A great nude look can be hard to nail, but this kit makes it easy. In eight trendy shades, including glossy solids and glitters, AZUREBEAUTY's Nude set includes everything you need to create neutral nails, including a bonder, activator, replacement brush, and nail file.

The products apply smoothly and evenly and are generously sized for good value. Though this kit requires some trial and error, overall, the process is fairly easy once you get the hang of it.

Who It’s For

Neutral nail colors will never lose their popularity, especially because there’s such a wide variety of tones to choose from within the neutral palette. This kit, though, specifically features neutrals of cool, warm, and pink undertones. There’s calcium within these powder formulas as well to help strengthen your nails.

Shades: 12 included with kit | Dry Time: Air-dry 30 seconds | Cruelty-Free: N/A

When your goal is bright, shiny nails that garner compliments, reach for this inexpensive kit. The shine is unbeatable, and the glitter shades are bold and bright. With 12 shades to choose from, including a clear/white glitter, you'll be set for a number of looks. The kit contains everything you'll need, including activator and brushes with replacement tips.

Who It’s For

This dip powder kit is a great buy for creating glittered accent nails. With silver and purple full-coverage glitter powders, you can coordinate the rest of the muted, electric, and neutral hues offered interchangeably. We do recommend this kit to someone who already has the dip powder liquids necessary to create an SNS manicure at home stashed away because the base and activator liquid that comes with this kit isn't as high quality as the powder itself.

Shades: 1 | Dry Time: Air-dry 2 minutes | Cruelty-Free: No

OPI basically shouts salon manicure, making this kit one you can trust to deliver striking results that will last up to two weeks. It definitely requires you to choose a nail color that you’ll want to sport time and time again, given it only comes with one powder per kit. What’s more, the size of the powder jar is huge compared to other at-home kits out there. You’ll get months worth of powder manicures that are high shine, full coverage, and simple to master.

Who It’s For

This kit's base coat liquid has a medium consistency, so it generously picks up powder at a full coverage scale. If your natural nails tend to feel thin or brittle, your end result will feel fortified without the look of a thickly coated manicure. Whether you DIY your powder manicure just for fun or are a freelance nail tech working from home, consider this an investment system you can rely on.

Shades: 20 shades | Dry Time: Air dry 3 minutes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Try your hand at a matte or glossy powder manicure with the moody, soft, and even mauve hues this kit offers. There are more than five glitter powder options to pick from and every nail prep, dusting, and filing tool you could need from start to finish of your manicure session. Cuticle oil also comes included in this system. However, because the powder jars are fairly small, build the color up while keeping in mind the amount of product you have to work with.

Who It’s For

You’ll have the opportunity to grow out your natural nails comfortably while your powder manicure does the hard work of resisting any chips or cracks for up to three weeks. Modelones does mention the powders are formulated with vitamin D, so if durability and maintaining the health of your natural nails is just as important as color payoff, know that you’ll have shade variety and quality ingredients in tow.

Shades: 5 | Dry Time: Air-dry 3 minutes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Browse through TikTok, and you’ll see a bevy of manicure trends finessed with this at-home dip powder nail kit by NAGAIA. We like that you can choose between entirely opulent glitter powders or shimmery nail colors that reflect only subtle sparkle. Can’t decide? You can add both to your kit. Along with three nail files, a buffer block, four application liquids (with primer and base coat included), and a fluffy dusting powder brush, you’ll have a say in every tone you pick.

Who It’s For

The pack of remover wraps included in this kit substitutes the use of liquid acetone, making the dip powder removal process easy, fun, and user-friendly. Saturating your nails in acetone solution can sometimes dry out your nail cuticle and hands, which is why we like the idea of having individually packed removal wipes at our disposal. What is most alluring about this dip powder system is its sheer, shimmery, and completely glittered nail shade variety.

FAQ

• Is dip powder bad for your nails?

  According to Totty, as long as dip manicures are applied and removed correctly, they are completely safe and not bad for your nails. “It’s extremely important to practice the application and follow the manufacturer’s instructions,” she says. “Patience while removing dip nails will give you the best results and healthy nails afterward.”

• How do you remove dip powder nails?

  When it comes to removing dip powder nails, do not pick at them or pull them off. (We know, it can be tempting, especially if they’re beginning to lift.) Instead, Totty recommends purchasing a soak-off solution designed specifically for dip powder. “The best and safest way to remove dip nails is to individually wrap them with the solution and wait for 10 to 15 minutes,” she says. “Any residue left on the nail can be easily buffed off.”

• Can you fill dip powder nails?

  It's possible to fill dip nails, though Totty says that opting for a fresh application is a much better option. “It’s possible to fill dip nails only if you use a clear or clear pink for a natural nail overlay,” she says. “However, that will not give you the best-lasting manicure because, over time, the resin base used with dip manicures will lose its integrity, and lifting might occur. A fresh application will ensure you have a long-lasting result every time.”

• How long do dip powder nails last?

  According to Totty, the standard wear for a dip manicure is between 21 and 25 days, but how long yours will last depends solely on your nail growth speed and how rough you are on them. “For example, a bartender is lucky to get three weeks of wear, when an executive assistant who has less contact with water and other liquids daily will get a full four weeks before the nails completely grow out," she says.

• What are the benefits of dip nails?

  People tend to like dip powder nails because they typically last longer than regular nail polish and give a salon-quality look. At-home dip nails are especially convenient and inexpensive compared to getting your nails done in the salon. Other longer-lasting at-home options include gel or Polygel nail kits.