There's something particularly frustrating about discovering a chipped nail after a manicure. And as much as we love gel manicures, the term "no-chip" is occasionally a misnomer. That's why dip powder manicures—often referred to as SNS manicures—have changed the game.
Known for their durability and resistance to chipping, the dip powder technique involves dipping the nails into colored powder while brushing on layers of bonder as an adhesive, then using a clear sealant on top. This works for both natural nails and extensions.
These days, the options you'll find for dip powder span the color spectrum—and more importantly, they'll likely last twice as long on your nails. Below, find 40 dip powder nail ideas that will inspire you to dive into dip.
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Sunset Ombré
Sunset ombré nails can be achieved with any shades of red, pink, orange, or yellow. We love the subtle fade of this sunset manicure that utilizes pale yellow and tangerine orange.
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Blank Slate
There's nothing fresher than soft white nails year-round. Plus, with dip manicures, lighter hues tend to look more saturated and vibrant.
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Clear Nude
"Your nails but better" is one of the hottest manicures of the moment. Clear nude polish is easy and effortless (and keeps nails looking fresh and clean).
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Neutral Necessities
The perfect swath of neutral, a dip powder nail color such as this one will go with your entire wardrobe. That means you'll fully enjoy your manicure throughout its long life.
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Minty Green
Pick a bold shade like this minty green—it shines through perfectly with dip powder, which usually lends itself to more saturated, pigmented hues.
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Cobalt Blue Dip
Few shades are more striking than cobalt, which gets its chance to shine in a long-lasting dip powder style.
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Chrome
Chrome is everywhere, and we're loving this reflective pearlescent look that screams summer and sunshine.
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Ocean Vibes
Don't be afraid to mix and match colors: You can achieve these nautical-feeling nails with different shades of blue, teal, yellow, and green.
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French Ombré
Two different shades create a cool, seamless ombré. It's like a modern update on a French manicure, if you will.
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Milky Peach
This neutral, milky peach shade is perfect all year 'round.
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Glitter Dip
Most dip powder nail salons carry many glitter hues, so the exact color choice is up to you. We love the subtle contrast between the pink and silver here.
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Deep Coral Dip
This dimensional coral shade looks amazing on any skin tone (plus, it works well in every season, too).
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Barbiecore
If you haven't hopped on the Barbiecore wagon yet, we've got four words for you: pink jelly dip nails.
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Light Pink With Glitter Accent
Dip powder permits creative nail ideas, too, so you definitely won't miss polish or gel. We love this subtle light pink manicure with sparkly accents.
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Classic Black
There's nothing quite like a classic black shade—especially when it looks this shiny and lustrous, thanks to the glossy sealant on top.
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Hot Tamale
Yes, this color is literally called "Hot Tamale"—and if you have a hankering for an ultra-bright hue that works for every skin tone and season, we think we've found the one for you.
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Burnt Orange Dip
This orange-toned gradient set is suitable year 'round, but we especially love it for fall.
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Gold Shimmer
A dip powder shade with a slight shimmer will leave your nails looking chic and subtle.
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Earthy Vibes
We always love earth-tone nails, and this neutral, "sand dune" shade is our new favorite.
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Nude
You can't go wrong with a good nude manicure. It's a polished and professional look that you'll get a lot of miles out of and a classic fallback for when you just can't seem to decide your next color or design.
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Caramel Macchiato
This perfect-for-fall hue comes with a dark toffee base and overlapping caramel. The result is nearly as delicious as your favorite coffee drink.
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Sunshine State
This dip powder nail color is sunshine in a bottle. We love how it coordinates with the acrylic sunglasses.
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Stark White
A stark white that's completely opaque? Yes, please. The multiple layers of dip powder prevent those pesky "I-didn't-think-this-color-would-be-so-faint" moments.
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Pretty in Pink
Calling everyone who loves an especially joyful moment: Pick varying shades of pink for a "monochrome" manicure you'll be showing off at every turn.
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Luxe Lavender
Dip powder allows you to embrace chic pastel shades—like luxe lavender—with the knowledge that the pigmentation will be perfect.
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Heart Designs
It doesn't have to be a holiday to wear your heart on your nails. We love the different pink and glitter designs on each nail in this set, making each one an accent nail.
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Rose Gold Glitter
From jewelry to hair color, it seems rose gold is always trending. Top off the metallic hue with some glitter for a little extra sparkle.
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Matte Purple
Depending on your sealant, you can go for a glossy, lustrous finish or a matte one. Here, we think the matte finish complements the purple shade and acrylic extensions perfectly.
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Clear and Glittery
Instead of using a clear glittery shade as an accent, use one on all your nails for a fresh take on neutral.
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Sophisticated Pattern
A matte neutral base allows a bold, dark pattern to take center stage. This look is extra sophisticated thanks to the almond shape of the nails.
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Matte Green and Sparkles
While sparkles are often relegated to one statement finger, this look pairs three matte green nails with two gold, sparkly nails. The result is special-occasion-worthy but could also work for daytime.
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Squared-Off
The squared-off shape of this manicure is unique, but the complementary square-lined tips are the real draw. Here, the nails are lined in a dark, nearly-black hue, while the base is soft pink.
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Powder Blue
These powder blue nails offer a fun take on the monochromatic trend. The shade makes the statement, with the shape of the nails kept classic and short.
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Pointed Burgundy
Here, a conventional color gets a jolt of edge thanks to a pointy shape.
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Green With Gold Flakes
These square-shaped nails are classic, but the bright green polish adds a burst of fun. The sophistication comes through with a sprinkling of gold flakes on a few nails.
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Subtle Peach Shimmer
These nails are nearly nude, but upon a closer look, you'll catch a slight hint of sparkle. The peach shade works wonders to disguise imperfections while still looking natural.
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Tonal Checkerboard
This tonal look utilizes two shades of brown dip powder to create varying checkerboard patterns on every nail.
Byrdie Tip
Unless you're experienced in at-home dip powder kits, it's best to leave the nail art to the professionals—otherwise, you risk ruining your manicure.
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Sea Glass
If the rose quartz manicure had a twin, it would be this blue sea glass manicure. We're getting major mermaid and ocean vibes here.
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Royal Blue
These royal blue nails have the perfect amount of sheen. The color is dark, so it's a sophisticated style that works for day or night.
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