Common Dip Powder Questions Answered & Mistakes to Avoid

Dip Powder is one of the more recent innovations in the nail industry. And because of how new it is a lot of individuals have tons of various questions.

Thankfully I have been working with Dip Powder for many years now and have learnt a ton. So in this article, I am going to answer some of the most asked dip powder questions to help you avoid common mistakes

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1- Can You Mix Different Brands of Dip Powder

Yes, you use different brands of dip powder together and not have any issues. This is because all dip powders are finely milled acrylic powder so they can work together.

I usually use a different brand of clear dip powder from my colored dip powder and I have never had any issues.

Now the one issue you may have is if one brand of dip has powder that is larger than the other which means it can interfere with how the powder blends together and might leave some areas on your manicure being bumpy and not having a smooth finish.

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2- Why My Dip Nails Are Too Thick

Thick dip powder nails usually occur because you applied too many layers of dip powder.

Having thick dip nails can also be caused by using a brand of dip powder with powder particles that are too large, though this is very rare. Good quality dip powder tends to be finely milled so that it can easily be blended together.

How many layers of dip powder do you do?

I usually apply 3 layers of dip powder, 1 layer of clear dip powder, and then 2 layers of colored powder. From my experience, this works with most brands and colors.

Now how many layers of powder will depend on the color and brand of dip powder that you use. Lighter colors might need more layers than dark colors.

What I recommend is that after applying each colored layer examine your nails to see the thickness and if you are ok with how it looks before applying another layer.

How to Fix Thick Dip Nails

Thankfully, if you notice your dip nails are too thick for your liking, you can easily fix it. All you need to do is to file it down.

I recommend filing down excess bulk after you have applied and allowed the dip activator to dry. You can use a 180-grit nail file to buff away the bulk.

3- Why is my dip powder not hardening

If your dip powder is not hardening this is usually due to:

Not applying the dip activator as you should or not using enough of it
Not allowing the dip activator to dry before applying the top coat.
Or finally, your dip activator isn’t working.

How to Fix

Now the key to ensuring that your dip powder hardens and sets is to ensure that you apply enough of the dip activator. And also just as important that you allow it to dry before applying the top coat this usually takes 2-3 minutes. (Activator is also known as seal protect)

Dip Activator is what cures, blends, and hardens the dip powder is works by breaking the powder down, which when it dries turns into a solid color.

Another important aspect is to apply a good top coat over your dip powder once the activator has dried. The top coat will help to make your dip nails harder and tougher.

4- Why are my dip nails bumpy & not smooth

Dip nails can be bumpy and uneven because of:

The dip activator wasn’t applied correctly and it wasn’t allowed to dry before applying the top coat

You didn’t brush off excess dip powder that didn’t adhere – after applying the dip powder you need to use a brush to gently brush away excess powder before applying the other layer.

Not buffing the manicure after applying the activator – I always buff my dip powder after the dip activator has dried this will ensure you get a nice smooth finish

You didn’t apply the dip base evenly – the dip base is the glue that holds the dip powder down if you miss spots it can lead to uneven distribution of the dip powder. This is why ensure you apply the dip base evenly.

To learn more I have an entire article where I share 7 Tips on How to Always Make Your Dip Nails Smooth

How to Fix

If you find your dip nails are bumpy, you will need to buff them down. First, use a 180-grit nail file to remove the top coat and then smooth the dip nails out with a 240 grit. Then apply back a top coat.

5- Why isn’t my dip powder sticking to my nails

There are 3 main reasons why your Dip powder won’t stay on:

You didn’t apply the dip base correctly: The Dip Base is the glue that bonds the dip powder to the nails. This is why you need to ensure that you cover your nails with the base evenly and apply it between each layer of dip powder

You didn’t use the Dip Activator – The activator is what cures and blends the dip powder together if you didn’t apply it, then your dip nails can start to crumble. Also, ensure you let the activator dry for 2-3 minutes before applying the top coat.

You didn’t Prep Your Nails and Cuticles before application – You need to ensure that you push back your cuticles, buff your nails, clean them, and finally apply a dehydrator before applying the dip powder. Click here to read my tips on how to prep nails before applying dip powder.

6- Why do my dip nails look grainy?

Your dip nails can look grainy instead of having a nice solid consistent finish because:

The Dip Activator was not applied correctly, so the dip powder couldn’t cure fully. – Ensure that the dip nails are fully coated with the activator before applying the top coat. And you need to ensure the activator is dry before applying the top coat.

Low-Quality Dip Powder was used – Dip Powder that is low quality tends to have powder that is larger. You see the larger the powder is the less likely they are to break breakdown and blend together. This can leave your dip nails looking grainy. High-quality dip powder is finely milled and blends easily. Click here to read my favorite Dip Powder Brands.

You didn’t use a good top coat – a nice glossy top coat can give your nails a nice smooth and glossy finish and help to cover any unevenness. Dip Powder was meant to be used with a top coat.

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7- Can you mix dip powder colors

Yes, you can mix different colors of dip powder and it will blend together. Now what the outcome will be will depend on the colors that you mix.

I got mixed results after trying to mix different colors of dip powder. In one case I mixed a bright red color with a blue one and got a nice purplish manicure. I experimented with a red and green and got a bad brownish manicure.

How to mix dip powder colors

I would apply 1 layer of one color and then add 1 layer of another color. This would allow the last color applied to be dominant. You can also mix the powders together before applying them which will give you a more mi

But feel free to experiment to see what works for you.

8- Why are my dip nails changing color

I have noticed that a few people have had issues with their dip nails changing color usually it develops either a yellowish tinge or a milky white tinge.

From my research and experience this can usually happen because:

You didn’t allow the dip activator to dry before applying the top coat so the dip powder never got to cure completely
Your dip nails got stained or exposed to harsh chemicals like bleach which can change the color
The top coat you used was of poor quality and when exposed to sunlight started to break down- this is common with some bad brands of gel top coat.

If you notice a color change with your dip nails you will need to have them removed, you can’t reverse or fix this. But you can prevent this from happening. Just ensure you:

Allow your dip activator to dry before applying the top coat which can take up to 3 minutes.
Avoid exposing your dip nails to harsh situations wear gloves when handling things like strong detergent, dyes, and other chemicals
Use a good quality top coat, click here to see my recommended brand of top coat for Dip Powder.