To start—I will say that having your nails done is the ONE super girly thing I feel is important.
I learned in a Hofstra PRSSA meeting that as an adult, you either have your nails done (with no chips/broken nails) or not at all. When meeting someone, having a clean manicure gives off an impression that you have your life together!
I have nails strong enough to not need acrylics for length (v thankful!), but I cannot be tamed enough to keep regular nail polish looking fresh, either. Currently I’m having an internal battle between favoring the last options: Gel Polish vs. Dip Powder. I was very reluctant to try the dip powder after a poor experience with it in New York a few years ago… but after I moved to Colorado, I was convinced (forced) to make the switch from gel to dip. It can be expensive, but nowadays I get my nails done only once a month.
Pictured above: My last dip powder manicure, grown out over almost a full month. Here’s my manicure from today after getting them done with Dip Powder.
Kiara Sky Dip Powder in “Lilac Lollies”
Yessss I went with purple! I know I’m usually a black, white, or a super light gray nail person, but it’s my birthday month and I want to live in amethyst glory!!
Where the internal battle comes in: Gel is a liquid polish that hardens under a UV light, stays on for around 2 weeks, and is really fun to peel off (and therefore destroy all of your nail health with). Dip Powder is a super fine, organic powder that dries naturally in air, lasting 3-4 weeks because it doesn’t chip or break, but it does grow out a lot.
Gel is quick and cheaper, but I end up spending more money with more visits. I also will FOR SURE peel the polish off and my nails will never grow. However, I don’t LOVE the way the dip makes my nails feel, it takes longer, and as you can see from today, the filing process has me bleeding on multiple nails! Not sure if that’s worth it.
So, if you’re one of the people reading this, I assume you’ve tried either gel or dip. I want to know what you think about either one and if I should switch back to gel!!!
I’ll be over here being fly af with my pretty manicure waiting for advice. TY for reading!
-ksex
KSL 