13 Best Dip Powder Nail Kits for Pro-Level At-Home Manicures
The best dip powder nail kits usually fly under the radar. The method—in which nails are dipped into finely milled powders (hence the name) and then bonded with adhesive—is often overlooked. But done correctly, dip nails can last longer than lacquer, cause much less damage, and require fewer harsh chemicals for removal than a gel manicure or acrylics. Plus, dipping-powder nail sets can also be customized to give you a French tip or to create various nail designs. There’s also no need for the powder to cure with a UV light, so it’s basically cutting the time of your mani in half. However, you’ll usually need acetone to remove them, so don’t forget to stock up on a cuticle oil and nail strengthener to keep your nails healthy and strong.
Previously these services were only available in nail salons; according to Julie Ventura, a nail education consultant and founder of Nail Know How, professionals still use a higher level grade dip powder that’s “designed to have the finest particle size for a smoother finish and strong resins for maximum adhesion power.” She’s a fan of the in-salon Orly Pro Powder service. But there are now tons of at-home options available if you prefer a DIY manicure (or just want to save some coin) but still want professional quality. Sure, it takes a little practice for beginners to get it right, but with these starter kits—and a quick YouTube tutorial—your nails will look salon-level perfect in no time. To get you started, we rounded up the best dip powder nail kits that reviewers rave about.
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Kiss Salon Dip Starter Kit
Most dipping powder systems require a trip to a specialty beauty shop (or Amazon), but this one can be grabbed at your local drugstore. It contains everything you need for a full set, including dipping trays and a pretty pink shade. Its compact size, low price, and easy-to-follow instructions make it a great powder system for beginners.
What reviewers say: If directions are followed properly, you’ll have beautiful nails that last. I’m a mom of two, and I just don’t have time to wait for polish to dry. I was amazed at how fast this sets and dries. Usually after about two days of regular polish wear and doing dishes or taking hot showers, my polish begins to show signs of cracking or chipping. Not this time!! I can’t wait to try other colors and see what kind of creative things I can do. —LD, reviewer on Ulta.com
Pros: Affordable, everything that you need is included
Cons: Some reviewers felt it wasn’t easy for beginners
Shades: 1
Dry time: About 5 minutes
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Nailboo Basics Premium Dip Nail Kit
This dip powder nail starter kit has everything you need, including a builder base, one color of polish, bonder, remover, a file, a brush, and even clips for removal. Unlike many kits, this lets you choose your polish color from an extensive list of on-trend shades, and you even have the option to bundle as many as six colors. It’s a little more expensive than other kits but boasts more than 2,500 five-star reviews—just saying.
What reviewers say: Within the first few minutes I was in love! I’m an ICU nurse and mom to a six-month-old. So my gel nails chip easy…then they are a pain to get off. Regular polish isn’t worth the time. I did these from start to finish for the first time while my baby was napping. I’m definitely hooked!! Side note: I’m not one who normally does my nails because I’m not great at them. And these truly are so easy! —Brittany M, reviewer on nailboo.com
Pros: You can choose multiple shades, easy for beginners
Cons: Price, strong smell
Shades: 4
Dry time: About 2 minutes
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Dipwell Dip Nail Starter Kit, Dip Naturale Collection
You can’t go wrong with a classic nude polish, and this powder set combines two of the brand’s most popular nude dip powder colors with everything else you need for a flawless at-home manicure. PS: All of Dipwell’s products are also vegan, cruelty-free, and made in the USA.
What reviewers say: It definitely takes some time, but with a little patience and following the steps, you can’t go wrong! I feel like a pro! They really came out beautiful and have lasted me just like if I had gone to get them done! (Had this set for two weeks so far.) I definitely recommend this kit. You have everything you need to get a perfect manicure at home. —Laura B, reviewer on dipwell.com
Pros: Tools included, vegan formulas
Cons: On the more expensive side, some reviewers said it didn’t last long on their nails
Shades: 2
Dry time: About 2 minutes
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Red Carpet Manicure Color Dip Color by Me Kit
If you’ve already got basic dip application down and want to play, grab this manicure kit, which encourages you to mix your own shades. It comes with six colors and custom mixing jars—though the adhesive is not included—so get ready to play artiste for a custom nail design.
What reviewers are saying: This dip powder is so vibrant! Keep in mind this is only the powder, and the other products needed to adhere the powder are sold separately. This kit comes with four empty jars so you can create your own color mixtures. It so much fun for my eight-year-old and myself to create beautiful nails that really do last. —LD, reviewer on Ulta.com
Pros: Great assortment of colors, long-lasting
Cons: Adhesive not included, some reviewers said colors don’t mix well
Shades: 6
Dry time: About 30 seconds
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ASP Quick Dip Powder
If you don’t want a whole kit, no sweat: ASP offers a range of 36 individual pigmented powders to choose from, each ringing in at under $10.
What reviewers say: I never even considered DIY dip manicures until this quarantine hit, but I have very flimsy natural nails that literally hurt if I don’t put something on them to thicken them up. This stuff works great! If you can paint your own nails, you can do this. A few tips: Use the activator once, file to shape, and then use another coat of activator. Also, the base coat and the top coat are the same product, so just buy one. And less is more with the base coat; otherwise your nails will be weirdly shaped! Altogether great product, and I’m going to buy more colors too. —Alex L, reviewer on sallybeauty.com
Pros: A quick process, lots of colors to choose from
Cons: You have to buy all of the other steps separately
Shades: 1
Dry time: Varies based on the top coat you use
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Aikker Dip Powder Nail Kit Starter
This kit includes everything you could want in one cost-effective package, including eight different shades of pastel and shimmer powders, four glues, and a recyclable dipping tray.
What reviewers say: This dip polish gives me the strength I need and an easy-to-use process. After watching a few YouTube videos, I now have it down pat. I started with various Amazon dip nail products, but after coming across Aikker, I love how fine the powder is! That makes a huge difference, as it goes on smoother and there’s less filling at the end. I also learned from videos what is the best way to remove them with minimal damage. At the salon, they would drill my nails until they were so thin I could feel it. I no longer file or drill my nails, as I prep them first with a nail prep dehydrator and then add base/powder. Seems to work best for me. I don’t get any lift. This kit is small but you get a lot, which makes it nice. Plus I kind of like the idea of options, as I constantly love new colors. The dip tray is great for other stuff like capturing the spill. I don’t stick my finger in the jar, as it’s a bit small, but the tray works better. I also added two coats of top after buffing first for the ultimate shine. —Vicky T., reviewer on amazon.com
Pros: A good mix of shimmer and pastel shades, less damaging than salon-products
Cons: Jars are small for dipping fingers into
Shades: 8
Dry time: About 3 minutes
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Azurebeauty Dip Powder Nail Set
This kit includes eight different shades you can mix and match to your heart’s content. Per the brand, the dip powder manicure will last for up to 21 days and makes nails stronger while you wear it, thanks to the inclusion of calcium in the formula.
What reviewers say: I have always been an avid gel nail polish fan until recently, when I ordered a starter kit and these powders. They are so finely milled and true to color. Not to mention that you don’t have to dip more that twice to get the color to show. The first ones I ordered made the application very bumpy. However, these go on like a dream without clumps. If you want to test colors before ordering a larger size, these are perfect for that. —Brittany Combs, reviewer on amazon.com
Pros: Lots of shades to choose from, lasts up to 3 weeks
Cons: Has a strong smell, longer dry time
Shades: 8
Dry time: About 1 minute
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Color Club Seren-Dip-ity Mood Changing Dip Powder Nail Art Starter Kit
While at first glance this looks like any other dip kit, this super-fun set comes with two powders that change color in the sun—just like those souvenir T-shirts you would get on vacation in the ’00s. Snag it before summer’s over.
What reviewers say: I love love love the colors! It is perfect, just like the other kits I have used from the brand. I was a little skeptical at first, but after all was said and done, it changed colors with hot/cold temps and looked amazing in action. The brush cleaner is very helpful, but I wish it would have included a top coat bottle like the rest of the kits. —Britne, reviewer on amazon.com
Pros: Color changes for a cool effect
Cons: Some reviewers didn’t like the color it changes to
Shades: 2
Dry time: 3–5 minutes
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Honey Joy Fine Dipping Powder Nail Color System
If it’s pastels you’re after, look no further than this kit, which includes eight pretty shades of finely milled powders and has tons of five-star reviews to back up the hype.
What reviewers say: Awesome product! I was so surprised at how easy it was to use. I am so impressed with the results, especially for it being the first time I have ever used dip powder. I need to work on not getting it on my surrounding skin, but it peeled off after I was finished. I was able to resume regular activity within five minutes after applying the last step. I hope it lasts a long time. —anonymous amazon.com reviewer
Pros: A good price for 8 shades
Cons: Small containers for dipping
Shades: 8
Dry time: About 2 minutes
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Cuccio Pro Powder Polish Nail Color Dip System, Neons
It can be hard to find a neon polish that actually stays vibrant, which is where this eye-candy-worthy set of eight jars comes in. Reviewers love their compact size—and the fact that the colors stay bright and glossy for two weeks.
What reviewers say: The product comes in a bag, making storage and organization a breeze. I’ve only used one color, but so far I’m a complete stan. The hot pink color is so pigmented, and I get tons of compliments. The containers are large enough for my long nails to easily and comfortably dip without having to do the weird shimmy needed for the “travel”-size colors that come in other sets. For the price of a salon manicure, you get eight colors to mix and match. —Le Negrita, reviewer on amazon.com
Pros: Super-bright colors, containers big enough for dipping
Cons: Chips quickly, some reviewers say
Shades: 8
Dry time: 3–5 minutes
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Kiara Sky French Starter Kit
At $90, this kit is a little pricier than others, but the rave reviews (and the fact that it’s a pro brand) prove that it’s well worth it. The set includes everything you need for French manicures on different skin tones—including three shades of pink—as well as a brush saver and nourishing cuticle oil.
What reviewers say: I was a bit skeptical spending this much on a kit I wasn’t sure would be worth it or sure a novice can use it with no drill. It is. I spent so much money going to the salon every two weeks to have my nails done. Sometimes they would be great; other times the powder would chip or split from my nail—and who has time to keep running to and from a salon to fix something you paid for a professional to do right the first time? This has paid for itself in three uses. (I purchased a few other colors from the line.) I’ve found that if I follow the instructions included in the kit, I don’t have the foggy, matte issue with the top coat I’ve read in other reviews and had myself initially. I use it on my natural nails. I have only a hard nail file and a buffer (no electric drill). Very happy not having my nails drilled painfully paper thin. They have grown out well and thickened back up (I tend to file them down for functionality) after properly soaking them off. —Zaya, amazon.com reviewer
Pros: Perfect for French manicures
Cons: Pricey, tools not included
Shades: 5
Dry time: About 2 minutes
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OPI Nail Dipping Powder Perfection Combo
This set was created for in-salon professionals, so it’s of great quality, but there’s a bit more of a learning curve, especially if you’re a first-time user of dip powder. Once you get it right, though, you can giving yourself a salon-grade manicure that may last up to four or more weeks.
What reviewers say: Loved this color when I wore acrylics years ago! Love this dip color and the liquids worked very well! Have not removed yet but have every expectation that it too will come off well! –Debee, a Walmart reviewer
Pros: Professional quality
Cons: Comes with only 1 color
Shades: 1
Dry time: About 2 minutes
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Wakaniya Dip Powder Nail Kit, Glitter Sparkle
If you’re looking to try some of the trendier salon looks, but at a more affordable price that will let you experiment with no strings attached, this glittery kit is for you. Reviewers enjoyed the ease of use regardless of how long the polish lasted.
What reviewers say: I have used other products like this one, but this is by far the easiest and nicest form of dip I have used. Easy to use, the kit gives you everything you need for beautiful nails. I bought the sparkle kit and my nails were so “sparkly” for 4th of July, my neighbors all want to buy the kit. Love, love this product, so reasonably priced for what you get. It comes in a really nice little box with all instructions. –MJ, an Amazon reviewer
Pros: Eight fun glitter shades, budget-friendly price
Cons: Chipped quickly, say some reviewers
Shades: 8
Dry time: About 30 seconds
