We updated this article in March 2022 to add more information about each featured product, based on expert insights from the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab and online reviews of top-rated products. Many of our original picks remain the same, but our picks for best overall kit and best luxury kit are new.
At-home manicures can save you a lot of money, but even the best-quality nail polish inevitably chips within days of application. That’s why nail care brands have started to sell at-home gel nail kits in recent years, which promise long-lasting, salon-quality hard gel polish manicures for a fraction of the price. But now there’s a new-ish at-home manicure method that many DIY manicurists are saying is even better than gel: dip powder nail kits.
What is a dip powder manicure?
Also known as SNS nails, dip powder nails are known for being long-lasting and don’t use UV light to harden, unlike gel nails. The color comes from dipping your nails into a finely-milled, pigmented powder before bonding with adhesive, rather than painting on streaks of hard liquid gel. The result is a long-lasting, evenly coated manicure, usually only achieved by professionals — until now.
Ready to try a DIY dip powder manicure? We’ve rounded up the best dip powder nail kits you can buy for an at-home salon-quality manicure, based on GH Beauty Lab and editor favorites, as well as best-sellers with lots of glowing reviews online:
Best Overall Dip Powder Nail Kit
Essential Dip Kit
This chic kit comes with everything you need for a professional-looking dip powder mani: build powder, colored powders, base coat, activator, top coat, remover clips and accessories. The best part though is that it’s completely customizable so you get to choose your four favorite shades when ordering, which most kits don’t allow for. Plus, users say it’s simple to follow instructions (just three steps!) and it dries quickly. “It was super easy, fun and fast,” says one reviewer. “They are extremely durable and you don’t have to wait forever for them to dry.”
- You can choose your colors
- Dries quickly
- Doesn’t damage nails
Best Value Nail Dip Powder Kit
Dip Professional Dipping System
Can’t grow long, beautiful nails? You’re not alone. This budget-friendly nail dipping set includes both white and neutral-colored acrylic tips that you can adhere to your nails for natural-looking length. Reviewers note that does take practice and patience to get it right, but that the kit works well and the instructions are easy to follow. “I love this so much I’m thinking if I get good enough won’t even need a salon anymore,” shares one reviewer.
- Includes acrylic tips to lengthen nails
- Good value
Best Professional Dip Powder Nail Kit
Nail Dipping Powder Perfection Combo
Created for professional salon use, OPI’s dip powder kit comes with a large size dip powder color (1.5 oz — that’s three times the size of most dip powder kit jars!) and three applicator liquids. And if you are an OPI loyalist, you can choose from among 11 popular shades. “Salon quality and so easy to do yourself,” one reviewer reported.
- Created for professionals
- Comes with large size jar of color powder
- Can only select one color
Best Dip Powder Nail Starter Kit
Nail Dip Powder Starter Kit
Azure Beauty’s kit, a top-seller on Amazon with almost 8,000 five-star reviews, is perfect for the dip powder nail novice. If you don’t already own the basics, this set comes with more than just the color powders and liquids: It also equips you with a nail file, dust brush and three replacement liquid brushes so that you can properly prep your nails before applying the base coat and powder. “I’ve never done dip powder and it was so easy and came out great,” said one Amazon reviewer.
- Eight color powders
- Includes manicure tools
- Some reviewers say the top coat isn’t the best quality
Best Dip Powder Nail Kit for Fast Results
Quick Dip Powder System Kit
ASP’s dip powder nail kit promises salon-quality nails in 25 minutes or less, and uses oils to seal and protect your nails from drying or cracking. You can use the product with natural nails or tips. “It’s really quick and easy to do all this once you get the hang of it,” says one reviewer. “My nails turned out perfectly and feel just like salon acrylics.”
- Speedy process
- Protects nails
Best All-in-One Dip Powder Nail Kit
Dip Powder Starter Kit
This kit contains all of the necessary dip powder nail application liquids, plus four jars of powder in the colors of your choice. Revel’s dip powder claims to deliver lightweight, natural results that can last up to three weeks or longer. Reviewers love that this kit is a one-stop shop. “This kit had everything I needed,” says one, while another raves “I love this kit! It has everything you need to do a beautiful manicure.”
- Long-lasting
- Great for beginners
- Doesn’t include nail tools and accessories
Best Luxury Dip Powder Nail Kit
Dipping Powders Essentials Kit
Boasting a formula made without harsh chemicals, Kiara Sky’s luxe kit includes vitamins and calcium to help improve the health of your nails. While it is an investment, reviewers love the professional quality and how easy it is to use. “It is quick and easy, and the results are beautiful, even the first time you do it,” shares one.
- High-quality chemical-free formula
Best Dip Powder Nail Kit for Beginners
Nail Dip Powder Starter Kit
When you simply don’t have the time (or patience) to wait for your nails to dry, this kit from GH Dip comes in handy — and comes in an array of bright, bold shades. The brand claims it saves 25% operation time, allowing less room for mistakes. “I’m a total beginner at dip powder and this set was simple to work with and the results are great,” shares one reviewer.
- Doesn’t come with nail tools
Best Color-Changing Dip Powder Nail Kit
Seren-DIP-ity Mood Changing Dip Powder Starter Kit
Enjoy a bit of mood ring nostalgia as you apply the fun color changing powder from this Color Club kit. The shades transform with the temperature, so it’s like getting two manicures in one. “The nail polish is really cool that it actually changes colors,” says one reviewer. Plus, “so easy to use!”
- Color transforms
- Includes nail file and buffer
Best Dip Powder Nail Color Mixing Kit
Color Dip Nail Color By Me Mixing Kit
Get creative with color using Red Carpet Manicure’s kit, which comes with six powders that can be mixed to create unique shades. “I love how you can literally make whatever color you want,” a reviewer raved.
- Comes with six customizable colors
- Doesn’t include application liquids
Best Dip Powder Nail Removal Kit
Acrylic Nail Polish Remover Clips
A salon-quality manicure requires salon-quality removal. Instead of vigorously rubbing an acetone-soaked cotton pad across your manicure, use these handy Teenitor clips that hold acetone soaked pads to your nails until the polish has broken down enough for easy removal. Genius! “This really did the trick,” says one reviewer. “It does a great job of keeping the cotton firmly in place, which is something foil couldn’t achieve.”
- Minimizes rubbing
- Less mess
How do you use a dip powder nail kit at home?
You should always closely follow the instructions that come with the specific kit you buy, but in general this is the step-by-step process for applying dip powder to your nails:
- Prep the nail by pushing cuticles back, then filing into your desired nail shape.
- Use a nail primer to remove oil and dirt from the nail bed.
- Apply the base coat once nails are clean and dry.
- Dip into powder color and use a duster brush to remove excess.
- Brush on another coat of base and dip again. Double dunking ensures full coverage and a stronger finish for a chip-resistant manicure.
- Finally, paint nails with an activator, which bonds the color powder into a lacquered gloss.
- Apply a glossy top coat for extra strength.
Which is better, dip powder nails or gel nails?
While both dip powder and gel manicures boast longevity (think two to three weeks for DIY efforts, but potentially up to a month), dip powder manicures don’t require UV light-curing lamps. That means you can cut your mani time in half, won’t have a bulky nail lamp taking up space in your home and it’s a bonus if you’re sensitive to UV exposure. Plus, they can be easier to remove than certain gels; you just need a light filing and a soak in acetone (no drills!).
Are dip powder kits bad for your nails?
If you are worried about your nail health, don’t fret: Dip powder itself won’t ruin your nails, but scraping and picking the manicure off will. Chipping away at your dip powder nails with a nail stick removes layers of your natural bed, weakening your nails.
Instead, to remove dip powder nails, stick to the same removal process as gel: Dip a cotton pad in acetone and allow it to sit on your nails for 10 to 15 minutes before wiping the color away. If your manicure doesn’t budge after 15 minutes, let your nails soak in polish remover a bit longer. Don’t forget to rub a good cuticle cream into your nail bed when you’re all done to keep your nails healthy and strong.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Beauty writer Dori Price has over 15 years of experience researching and writing nail stories, combining her knowledge with the expertise of top industry professionals including nail artists, technicians and dermatologists. She is an expert in all nail product categories, including nail color, nail treatments, nail art, professional services and more.
Shanon Maglente also contributed to this article; she has over three years of experience writing and editing product review content, including at Good Housekeeping, where she regularly covered beauty products, including nail colors, tools and care.
Dori Price
Freelance Beauty Editor
Dori Price is a Boston-born, New York City-based freelance writer, editor and beauty, style, and wellness expert who was the Beauty & Fashion Director at Family Circle for 13 years before she joined Good Housekeeping, Prevention and Woman’s Day as a freelance beauty editor.
Shanon Maglente
Product and Reviews Editor
Shanon worked as the former Products & Reviews editor for the Good Housekeeping Institute covering the best deals and products across home, appliances, health, beauty and parenting.
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