Does anyone do their own dip powder nails?

[DianaPrinceRocks]

I have done my own gel nails at home for years, but I've been sucked in by Insta Ads for dip powder which I'd never heard of before.

I've tried a cheapy set and so far I'm finding it much easier and less faff-y than gel. But the finish is not great.

After applying the activator I'm supposed to buff it and then apply 2 coats of their top coat. When I do, the surface is still quite rough and there's no shine.

Just wondering if anyone does this and has any tips on how to make it smooth and shiny? I promise I don't work for a dip powder company .

I have done, I found I needed 2 dips then a really good buff to get a decent finish. I stopped as they were lifting after a few days each time.

Get yourself a bottle of Gelish Structure and watch your own nails become AMAZING :D It's the least faffiest manicure I've ever done. It's basically brush-on gel, so I apply to my natural nails and watch them grow.

Thanks Confused I'm doing it nail by nail as the old gel is lifting so I'll try that. Shame if they lift so quickly though .

Harpie I've used Gelish before but not sure if I ever used Structure- I'll check it out. I just liked that the dip is so quick.

Thanks ladies

I starting doing dip powder on my nails after getting an AVVA kit online. I was previously a none manicure person but had admired my friends gel/shellac nails for a while.

There is definitely a learning curve the first attempt was awful and i had to remove it the next day (total pain).

The second time I watched a few more videos on you tube for tips, took my time and applied a pale pink so mistakes would be less obvious, and it looked pretty good. After 2 1/2 weeks of that colour I just redid them for the third time and they look great - almost professional looking!

There was some lifting so this time I lightly filed the top of my nails so they hopefully adhere better.

My kit says to file the nail power down a bit (after applying the activator) so they are smooth no bumps, the brush them off, then apply two coats of the top coat (30 seconds between coats), they are super smooth and shiny.