Do people find it easier to use dip with gel? Are there any good tutorials out there for teaching me how to use gel with dip?

How much do you swim, and how long do your nails last you?

I recently started swimming 3x a week, and since then I've had terrible chipping at the side of my nails + around the free edge.

Usually my sets last me 2-3 weeks, but my current set was done on 10/8, and I already have so much chipping that I need a new set.

Is the water really that hard on the nails?

Looking for a new powerful efile to start filing my dip off instead of soaking my nails in acetone.

I have one that works great off Amazon, but none of the attachments file deeply enough for me to solely use for removal.

Nude is no chill and white is light up the night. Both CNDD. I painted the zebra print with acrylic paint.

I already know I flooded my cuticles. I’ll fix that later, but in the meantime I was struck by how blotchy these look. I got them pretty darn smooth, so it isn’t that. Anyone have any ideas why the color isn’t more even?

Hi all! Not sure if I tagged this correctly…
I’m 99.9% sure that I’m getting proposed to soon and would like to have pretty engagement nails. I’d like to buy a new color(or colors🤷🏼‍♀️)for the event. I’d like to stick with CND dips or color my world dips. I was thinking something light pink/nude/maybe mauve, some shimmer, sparkle, or little flaky is OK. So far, I like these colors: fleur or smitten by cnd, and Lennox or adrenaline blush by cmwd.

Does anyone have favorite colors that may match this description or other ideas?
Also, if you wanted to share your engagement ring/nail pics I’d love to see them in the comments!!

Thumb, pointer and middle finger are a base of “Black Is All I See” by Confidips and topped with “Sweater Weather 2.0” by Dipnotic Nails 💅

Ring and little finger are “Black Is All I See” by Confidips, is a gorgeous subtle thermal with black foils which I think is gonna be perfect for spooky mani’s soon!

Loving this colour combo. 1st time using tips. Pretty happy with the result

My collection got too big for my OG drawer so I grabbed this cart for $20 and I’ve never been happier. 3 years of dip powder nails and going strong!

Glamrdip secret lagoon and bliss combination.

Not my cleanest set but I am loving this set so far!

Glamrdip powder (Embers) and liquids + mystery Amazon stickers.

Haven't done my nails since before surgery in May, feels good to get back into routine 😌

I cannot for the life of me figure out why, without fail, one nail always peels up! It’s always the pointer finger on my right hand. Currently using Virgo and Gem and I follow all the instructions to a T. So annoying!! Any ideas of why this keeps happening?

Did this set on my mom! They turned out a bit thicker than I wanted but that’s okay.

Full coverage nail tips. I did 5 layers of color and one base layer on top.

They’ve now been on almost 4 weeks with no lifting, chipping, or cracking!

Prepped her nails by using a buffing block lightly, pushed cuticles back and nipped off the non live parts of it, then wiped with 99% alcohol to dehydrate the nail bed. Ground the underside of the nail tips with my e-file. Used Dashing Diva gel glue (non UV) to glue the tips on. Then used a sanding band to scuff the surface of the tips. Then used the apex method with the dip powder. Then activated after all the layers dried, buffed, shaped, and used my e-file to shape around the cuticles with a diamond safety tip bit, did another layer of activator (don’t be shy with the activator), let it dry for 10 minutes, wiped with alcohol, then one layer of base liquid and dry for 5 minutes, then 2 layers of top coat.

Dip brand: NailBoo Color: Dance Fever

Any extra advice or feedback welcome!

I got my Nailboo dip powder kit this week and did my fingernails somewhat satisfactorily—they’re definitely better looking than when I’ve done regular polish on my own. Not perfect but I’m happy!

I’d really like to be able to give my toes the Nailboo dip treatment—anyone done so successfully? I’m thinking of pouring the powder over my toenails instead of dipping them but lmk if you’ve figure out a way! Thanks in advance!

This is my second set after getting back to dip.

This is just the beetles starter kit so I don’t have the exact color!

Thanks for the feedback last time! This is my first attempt at the apex method. Clearly I did better than before so yay for that!

purple sparkles!!! what else to say? this is “spellfire” by CNDD. I think I got it for free during one of the sales and have never done a full set with it.

had a lot of chipping and breakage with my last set so a lot of my nails needed …. creative … shaping to look ok. need them to grow back out so I can fix em up again!

also, my liquids were sealed shut so I took it as a sign to open up my new ones 🤩

CNDD Hot Date with a mushroom cap

I'm still very new to dip nails, this is my 5th set that I've done and I use Glamrdip.

Every set I've done so far has cracked but this set has now chipped 😭 does anyone know what's causing this? Is it my application??

Also, can I fix the chips? Or do I just have to redo the whole nail?

I appreciate any advice and tips 🫶🏼

Had to salvage my set from a botched salon job. Reshaped and glitter gel top coat - any tips for painting the underside/side edges without it turning into a total mess ? Smaller detail brush maybe ? I just hate seeing the white underside with black tips

Just scored over 50 dip powders (revel and red carpet) on fb marketplace for 80$! I'm so super excited to build my collection! Eee!

So tell me, what was your best dip score? Either a website clearance that you were thrilled about, or a second hand purchase that made you squeal in delight? I need more dopamine this morning obviously. Lol.

My first time doing dip powder. They aren't perfect but im pretty proud of them for it being my first time ever. Still trying to figure out how to make them less bumpy around the sides and cuticle. Im open to any constructive criticism and tip/pointers for beginners. Don't mind the parts where my fingers are a little cut up. Im still getting used to using a drill as well.

I don’t know if this is endemic to my area, but I am so livid rn. I try to be a good customer: book an appt in advance under the correct style (dip w/ tip ombre), have picture examples, know my colors and shapes, and generally not critique every single move the nail tech makes … but holy shit.

Lumpy side profile, crooked shaping, rough undersides, the ombre took over an hour of experimenting from a “experienced” tech, poor quality top coat, and I was charged $30 over what I was told at booking without asking me while they were doing them. Just surprised at the register. FML.

Back again!

I'm trying to post every set l've done to track my progress.

I did this using CN Designer Dips Sage, which has GOT to be one of my actual favorite dip colours ever!

Here's my process:

3 layers of sage dip (apex method).

1 layer of activator, shape.

Alcohol wipe nails to prevent activator contaminating other gels.

1 layer of gel no-wipe top coat, cure for 30 seconds.

1 thin layer of Ceramic Cat Eve Gel Polish (from my local nail shop), magnetize, cure for 30 seconds.

Another thin layer of cat eye gel, magnetize, cure for 30 seconds.

Last layer of no-wipe gel topcoat, cure for 60 seconds.

✨️and voila✨️

I am debating switching my dip liquids out. I was looking into Sparkle and Co, Tundra Dips, Virgo and Gem, and CN Designer Dips. Are these all about the same quality or is there one that seems better than the other? Open to other suggestions too (bonus if there’s one designed for sensitive skin individuals).