Guide
Dip Powder vs Gel Manicure: What's the Difference?
Both are popular, durable alternatives to regular polish — but they're built differently and suit slightly different priorities.
How Each Is Applied
A gel manicure uses gel polish cured under a UV/LED lamp. Dip powder builds color by dipping the nail into a colored powder, layer by layer — no lamp needed.
Durability
Dip powder tends to be more chip-resistant and often lasts 3–4 weeks, compared to 2–3 weeks for a typical gel manicure.
Finish
Gel manicures usually have a glossier, thinner finish. Dip powder builds a bit more thickness on the nail, which some guests like for added strength.
Removal
Both should always be soaked off professionally rather than peeled at home — peeling either one can pull off layers of your natural nail.
See pricing for both on our Manicures and Dipping Powder pages.
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