The nail salon has a nearly paralyzing number of polishes—traditional lacquer, acrylic, gel, and dip powder, to name a few. But if you’re looking for a manicure that lasts up to a month (yes, a month) and allows you to create unique designs, you may want to try dip powder.
The name comes from the process of applying the manicure, where you lay a clear base coat, dip your nails into fine acrylic powder, and repeat to fill and seal. Unlike other types of maniscures, dip powder doesn’t require a lengthy curing process, says Rachel Maloff, Nailboo creator and nail artist. For example, while gel uses a polish that needs to be cured under a special light and acrylics are created with a concoction of liquids and powders, dip nails simply need to be submerged into the colored powder, she explains. Intrigued?
From colorful ombrés and French tips to 3D nail art and more, read on for 33 dip powder nail ideas.
Fun French
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Give the iconic French mani style a modern twist by adding a pop of color. Maloof achieved this look by applying a base to the entire nail and then using a dip tray to gently push the nail into the bright red-orange color. There’s no wrong way to wear French tips, so apply the length of the color as far down the nail as you’d like. Then, sprinkle a lighter base color on top of the nail bed to create an even layer. Repeat two to three times and you’re all set.
Something Blue
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Cool blue—and sparkles—really pop against skin with warm and neutral undertones, as seen here. As long as your nails are healthy, a solid shade will wear well on both short and long nails alike.
Neutral French
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For a subtle take on a French. manicure, try a gradient of beige and white to create a natural-looking ombré effect. A classy take on the tried-and-true ombré, this style will level-up any outfit, whether you’re going to a wedding or are inspecting the fruit at the farmers market.
Red Wine Tips
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Another variation of French tips, this dip powder nail idea is minimalism meets intrigue. The red wine-colored tips are the perfect neutral shade, appropriate for fall and after-work drinks.
Squiggle Tips
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Swirls and squiggles can be a fun take on dip powder designs. If you’re new to the world of manicures, try cutting out a strip of paper in the pattern you’re trying to emulate and apply the powder one section at a time. Fortunately, it’s easier than it looks!
Milky White
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Upgrade your standard white mani with nothing more than a milky hue. Here, the color, combined with a squoval shape, gives off Y2K vibes in the best way possible.
Tweed Nails
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With some sparkly dip powder, a few bottles of polish, and a fine line brush, you can make tweed nails with ease. Layer horizontal and vertical lines in black and white over your shimmery base for a cozy and cute design.
Minimalist Dots
Adding a few small, precise polka dots to your base color gives this look an extra sense of je ne sais quoi. Pro tip: go bold with the color and minimal on the accents to create a more elegant finish.
Summer Citrus
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This enticing design is inspired by juicy summer citruses. To create this fun twist on the classic French, Maloof recommends using a dip tray to apply the top colors and then sprinkling a base color all over the bottom of the nail.
Color Block
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Color block nails are inherently chic. Using a fun mix of colors, you can create this design over and over again without it feeling stale.
Pretty Petals
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Starting with a classic French tip, apply your yellow crescents using your favorite dip tray. Then, apply some clear base coat in the shape of flower petals and pour white powder over the top, says Maloof. If you’re after a bit of sparkle, apply rhinestones to the center of each flower to finish the look.
Leopard Print
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Want to take a walk on the wild side? Ask your manicurist to use a variety of colors to create a fun animal print design like this adorable leopard print mani.
Cotton Candy
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Cotton Candy isn’t just a sweet treat—it’s a great inspiration for manis, too. These dip powder nails combine simple white with an abstract design of soft pinks and baby blues.
Pink Palette
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Pick your favorite color and then explore its shade range for a gorgeous gradient mani. This design keeps things simple with a gorgeous pink ombré that is bound to earn you major compliments.
Thermal Ombré
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This chic look features a thermal dip powder that changes colors based on your mood. Yes, that’s right, this manicure is basically a mood ring.
Checkered Nails
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Instead of sticking to one color, add some stickers on top of your dip nails to create intricate and unique patterns. Avoid the fuss of trying to paint on crisp, straight lines and apply a few black squares to your base coat for a checkered mani that will have you doing victory laps.
Marble Mani
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Several shades of pastel pinks, reds, and whites come together to create this marble-esque design. Using a dip tray, mix dollops of color on top of the neutral base color. Then, submerge your nail in the tray and apply your top coat to finish.
Vertical Ombré
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Have you tried a vertical ombré yet? These sophisticated nails are just as easy to create as a standard ombré. Maloof recommends applying the base to the entire nail and then tapping colors in a vertical direction.
To get that seamless ombré look, Maloof recommends that colors meet in the middle and overlap a bit.
Mermaidcore
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Transform your nails into a nautical wonderland with this mermaidcore mani. Adorned with a variety of intoxicating blues and teals—not to mention, sparkles—it’s the perfect look for summer or when you’re dreaming of beach days.
Seedy Watermelon
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Transform your nails into something almost as refreshing as a slice of summer watermelon. This fruity nail look uses two base shades to create that distinct red color, as well as a few small black teardrops to emulate the seeds in a watermelon.
Translucent Sparkle
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This celestial design is simple and stylish. Featuring fine silver grains suspended in clear jelly, it can be created with Nailboo Apollo Glow. Overlay it on top of your base color to add an extra dose of sparkle that’s sure to be eye-catching.
Smiley Face Mani
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This adorable smiley face mani features a neutral base color with understated hues for the smiley faces. It’s the perfect mani for summer, or any moment where you want a little extra joy.
Translucent Jelly
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Does this stunning jelly manicure remind you of your favorite grade school pens and translucent sandals? Then consider it purple dip powder nails with a side of nostalgia.
Shimmery Tips
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Replicate this adorable and sparkly design by using a small brush to tap a solid color at the base of the nail and glitter powder at the tip. After repeating two to three times, add a few decals and secure with a top coat layer over the entire nail.
Classic Neutral
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Sometimes it’s nice to get back to basics. This manicure features a clean and crisp neutral that is ideal for minimalists.
Espresso Chrome
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Embracing the chrome nails made famous by resident it-girl Hailey Bieber, this design leans into rich, espresso undertones. It’s ideal for those looking for subtle yet statement-making dip powder nails.
Rainbow Gradient
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If you’re a lover of color, look no further than this vibrant rainbow mani. Although there’s a lot going on, each nail has a familiar pattern, so the look fades nicely together—just like a real rainbow.
Beachy Waves
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This adorable design features a rich shade of blue that mimics the peaceful aura of deep sea waves. Achieve this splashy style by applying a dark blue base coat, then overlay dots of milky white polish to create that crashing-wave effect.
Abstract Mani
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Keep it simple, but be unique. Several colors were used to create this abstract design, featuring a mix of French tips and varying-sized circles.
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