Gel powder is becoming increasingly popular among nail art professionals and clients, which allows you to quickly and accurately cover your nails in any color you like, maintain their strength and give a flawless manicure look. Thanks to a good fixative, it is not at all necessary to use a special lamp for drying. This new coating system leaves conventional methods far behind.
What is gel powder for nails?
Structurally, it is a fine powder. The composition is crumbly, finely dispersed acrylic dust, which lays on the nails in an even layer, creating a flawless manicure in the shortest possible time. Depending on the manufacturer, the powder coating system for nail plates includes a degreaser, base, powder, top, and activator. After application, nails become denser and break less often.
Manufacturers guarantee an even coating and quick manicure, no chips or cracks on the surface. This is the merit of durable acrylic, which, as a material, was discovered by dentists for prosthetics, and later in the nail industry. If earlier it was used exclusively for extensions, now it is used for design, repair, and strengthening of nails.
Acrylic based
Artificial nails, no matter what type you choose, have a common base.
“All of the ingredients used to create any type of artificial nail—whether it's bonded, UV-cured, or mixed with liquid and powder—are based on the acrylic family of paints,” says master artist Doug Schoon.
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Once popular, acrylic nails are made by combining liquid and powder to create a gel-like substance. “Gel” manicure is actually very similar. Once hardened, the nails are placed under ultraviolet light for at least a few minutes.
The modern method may seem revolutionary, but only at first glance. In fact, it is not much different from other types. The technique gets its name from the fact that after applying the binder, the nails are dipped in a colored powder of your choice and covered with a sealing top coat.
What is a dip system and how does it work?
This is a system for strengthening nail plates, implemented in three stages. Translated from English, “dip” means “dip”, “dip”, “immerse”, which characterizes the coating technique. Simply put, after applying the gel and immersing the nails in a special powder, the composition is instantly fixed to the surface.
For the dip system to work, powder alone is not enough. It is also recommended to buy the base, activator, and finish from the same manufacturer. If you have everything you need, you can perform a flawless manicure even at home. The professional dip system is distinguished by a variety of adhesive formulas necessary for adhesion to the natural surface of the nails and the formation of a gel powder base.
- The base gel adhesive creates a strong adhesive layer and levels the surface.
- Modeling adhesive with a finer structure is necessary for applying strengthening, modeling layers of gel powder.
- The liquid consistency activator secures the applied layers and speeds up the drying of the nail surface.
In recent years, gel powder has become a worthy competitor to gel polishes, attracting nail art artists with a number of advantages and the most important thing is its composition, which evens out any deformations of the nail plates, does not delaminate, and provides long-term wear without cracks or chips.
Removing the coating
Sooner or later, the perfect coating will require removal. Gel powder, like other coating products, requires a competent approach.
How to remove the coating:
- Cut off the top layer to about half its thickness. It is important to get rid of top and sealer as much as possible, which create a dense coating;
- Moisten a lint-free cloth or cotton pad with gel powder remover;
- Wrap the nail and secure with a piece of foil;
- Leave the remover on for 10-20 minutes and remove any remaining coating with light pulling movements.
Possible errors during removal:
- The required time was not maintained, and the remover simply did not have time to act;
- Preliminary cutting was carried out superficially;
- Incorrect removal agent selected.
What types of powder varnishes are there?
The nail industry has a wide range of products. There are these types of gel powder:
- Transparent. This is a fine matte chip of white or beige color, which after hardening resembles a natural nail. Used to strengthen, build up and eliminate minor defects. The manicure looks natural and the nails do not break.
- Finish. Used as the last layer, creates a glossy surface, extends the life of the manicure.
- Camouflage. The powder is opaque and matches the natural shade of the nail plate. Having a dense structure, it masks any defects.
- Colored. These are multi-colored powders that are used to paint the entire nail plate or create designs and decorative elements.
- Neon. This is a fine powder for creating club nail art, which contains phosphorizing components. Under the influence of ultraviolet light, the manicure shimmers beautifully and attracts everyone's attention.
- Powder with multi-colored or plain glitter. The powder is homogeneous, translucent, contains shiny particles of different colors and shapes. Used as decoration to create a festive manicure and a good mood.
To create a velvet effect on your nails , a separate category of decorative coatings called “acrylic-free manicure powder” is used. Externally, it is a small wool or viscose fiber of different lengths, which allows you to reproduce a velor, plush, voluminous manicure on the nail plates. True, such softness does not last long.
Nail powder has a wide palette of colors that can be mixed if desired. This way, new shades appear, a unique opportunity to create an exclusive nail design. There are also differences in powder structure, degree of grinding and manufacturer. In the latter case, the prices of nail powder are also different.
"Lightweight acrylic"
While powder-based manicures are still acrylic, celebrity manicurist Erika Marton told Glamor that the method is more like "acrylic lite." It turns out to be an intermediate version of the usual colored manicure and artificial nails. You might think that this makes the powder method more attractive than a traditional acrylic manicure. Theoretically, this is possible, but unfortunately it is not true.
Ariel Zuniga of Vanity Projects nail salon in New York City disagrees with the use of glue in powder manicures. According to her, this is a very cheap product, often containing harmful substances that are dangerous for natural nails. You should especially be wary of methyl methacrylate, which is already banned in some countries.
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Reader's Digest suggests asking your nail technician about the ingredients in the products they use before getting a manicure. Methyl methacrylate can be identified by its characteristic chemical odor. It's very spicy and fruity.
If you visit a reputable salon, you likely won't have to worry too much about methyl methacrylate being used in powder manicures. However, it may surprise you to know that the legal binder used for dipping is cyanoacrylate. Essentially, this is a technology known as Krazy Glue.
Application method
If you want to make powder nails, you must proceed in the following sequence without disturbing the process technology:
- Remove old coating, adjust the length and shape of nails, and remove overgrown cuticles.
- Use a 220 grit sander to remove the natural shine and smoothness of the nail plate.
- Apply a thin layer of dehydrator, wait a few seconds until it dries completely.
- Starting from the cuticle and moving up to the free edge, carefully apply Base Toap.
- Immediately dip your nail into a jar of dip powder of your preferred color, then shake off the remaining powder with a special brush.
- To make the shade more saturated, repeat similar manipulations 3-4 more times.
- If you are completely satisfied with the resulting color, apply a special activator and wait a few seconds until it dries.
- Cover again with the base, and, as a final step, apply an even layer of Top Coat finish, use oil to soften the cuticle.
Nothing complicated, a home manicure is no worse than the work of a master in a beauty salon. This coating is worn for 3 weeks or more, maintains the strength of the nails, and provides protection from mechanical and other influences.
Best ideas
Gel powder for nails can create an even finish with perfect highlights. For you, we have collected the best and simplest ideas that will help you create a luxurious manicure for any occasion.
French
French manicure with gel powder is done without the use of brushes or stencils. You don't need to draw a smile line and struggle with drawing mustaches. In this coating, everything is reduced to automation.
What you will need:
- manicure file;
- degreaser;
- base gel;
- white, pink and transparent powder;
- special form (bath) for the French jacket;
- activator (fixer);
- top
How to apply gel powder correctly:
- Use a manicure file to remove the glossy layer.
- It is good to disinfect the nail.
- Apply a thin layer of base gel to your nails.
- Dip your fingertip into white powder.
- Apply base gel again.
- Dip your entire finger into the translucent powder again.
- White powder should fill the tip of the nail, and transparent powder should fill the entire nail plate.
- Repeat the same on all nails.
- Dip your fingertip into the white powder again.
- Dip your entire finger into pink powder to add color to the base.
- Repeat steps 4-10 again.
- Level the surface using a manicure file.
- Cover the design with a fixative and finishing top in 2 layers.
Video instruction
How to make a colored coating using sns gel powder can be seen in the video below.
Secrets to creating a flawless powder manicure
If powder manicure is new, it is recommended to follow these simple rules when performing it:
- Apply the base in a thin layer, spreading evenly over the entire surface of the nail plate.
- If, due to inexperience, the base turns out to be too thick, it is better to file off the thickness with a manicure file.
- Before applying the gel, be sure to remove the natural shine, otherwise poor adhesion will reduce the wear time of the decorative coating.
- Use camouflage powder to level the plate, and transparent powder to strengthen and correct it.
- At home, you can dip your nail in a jar of powder, but in a beauty salon such a procedure is undesirable. It is better to sprinkle the nail plate with powder to avoid contact with infection.
- Work in rooms with good ventilation, since the powder gives off a specific odor that is difficult to dissipate, and in high concentrations can cause slight dizziness.
- When working at home, in addition to jars of powder and gel, be sure to prepare liquid, degreaser, a long flat brush, buffs, and sanding files.
Powder, unlike varnish, dries without a special UV lamp. Compliance with these rules significantly simplifies the use of gel powder at home or in a beauty salon and extends the life of the manicure.
Cons of acrylic reinforcement
But despite the large number of important advantages, one cannot help but recall the disadvantages of the material.
- When using low-quality powders, you risk experiencing allergic reactions. And if the application technology is not followed, you can even injure the plate. So follow all the rules of strengthening, and the result will please you.
- Powder can become hard too quickly, so you need to work with it very quickly. Otherwise, you will have to do everything again.
- The material is contraindicated for girls with nail fungus. Such coverage will only worsen the course of the disease.
- Acrid smell. Due to the specific pungent odor, malaise may occur. If you don't tolerate chemical scents well, go for a more expensive material.
- Powder eliminates the natural shine of nails. In other words, you can only count on matte designs.
True, all these disadvantages are insignificant if you do not have allergies. And if you plan to use acrylic for subsequent application of gel polish, the result will certainly surprise you.
Is it possible to extend nails using gel powder?
Gel powder is ideal for nail extensions, the main thing is to follow the sequence of actions. First, decide on the length, cut the cuticle, disinfect the nail plates, and remove the natural shine. Further actions:
- Put a tip on each finger.
- Mix the powder with the monomer in such a consistency that a homogeneous mass of thick consistency is obtained.
- Roll a small ball, place it at the cuticle, distribute it towards the free edge.
- Wait for 1 minute until the acrylic mass hardens, carefully remove the tip.
- Apply an even layer of activator on top, thereby ensuring the strength of the extended nail.
- If the surface is lumpy, you can correct it with a nail file and, as a final step, polish it with a buff.
- Carry out similar manipulations with each nail plate.
To grow nails this way, skill is required. Act quickly and harmoniously, otherwise the polymer hardens quickly. The strength and durability of a manicure depends on the quality and manufacturer of the acrylic powder. Gel powder is also suitable for strengthening nails.
Preparation for the procedure
Before you start strengthening your natural nails with acrylic for gel polish, you should properly prepare your nails. First of all, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and dry them thoroughly.
If you have polish or any other coating on your nails, it should be removed using a special solution. By the way, acetone and similar liquids should be chosen that contain vitamins.
Then the nails should be trimmed with a buff or file and treated with a special disinfectant. This is necessary to prevent the development of fungal diseases and other problems. The cuticle must be carefully pushed back using a pusher or a wooden stick, and then a keratolytic agent must be applied to it. Next you will need a sanding file. Try to choose a tool that will not damage your nails.
There is always a thin film of fat on the plates, which prevents good adhesion of the natural surface to the artificial material. It needs to be removed. To do this, you will need a degreaser - treat your nails with it and wait until it dries completely.
Now everything is ready for the main procedure. So you can get started.
Advantages and disadvantages of using it over other techniques
The powder contains calcium and vitamins that are beneficial for the growth of the nail plate.
The main advantages of gel powder:
- strength of nail plates, reliable protection from external influences;
- penetration into the nail, restoration of structure;
- filling microcracks in the nail plate;
- uniform application of decorative coating;
- camouflage of defects and chips;
- hypoallergenic composition;
- long-term wear – from 3 to 5 weeks;
- doing manicure at home;
- no need to purchase a special drying lamp.
However, powder manicure has its drawbacks:
- the need for practice to obtain a flawless manicure;
- the presence of a specific smell of acrylic powder;
- the need to purchase the entire series of the selected brand.
Before using this type of product, it is advisable to make sure that there is no allergic reaction to the selected material. Such cases are rare in practice (3-5% of all beauty salon clients), especially if you purchase products from reliable manufacturers.
Popular technology
While powder manicures may seem like a new trend, they have actually been around for quite some time. Owner and nail technician Denise Gottschalk said she first learned about the technique in 1997. While on vacation, she went to a nearby salon where a technician sold her a powder manicure.
It is believed that dip-in systems will eventually take over conventional nail painting, as this technique is much easier to apply than acrylic or gel nails.
The technique of teaching this method is not at all complicated, it is much simpler than with most other options.
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