Can You Use Dip Powder As Acrylic?

You might wish to utilize acrylic powder but cannot find it. However, you have dip powder on hand at the time and think,

“Can you use dip powder as acrylic?” since many people assume these two are quite the same.

However, is that true? To get the exact answer, do not overlook this article because it will provide you with a lot of helpful information.

Can You Use Dip Powder As Acrylic?

Yes, dip powder can be utilized as acrylic powder. Dip powder is a high-quality, fine-ground acrylic, so it comes with all of the chemical properties and physical qualities of ordinary acrylic powders. Therefore, you can utilize these two interchangeably.

Although the powder’s consistency may not be as simple to work with as regular acrylic powder, it is still feasible.

Is Dip Powder The Same As Acrylic Powder?

The answer is no.

However, it does not mean these two are entirely different. These two come with both similarities and differences.

Resemblances

Dip powder is the same as an acrylic powder in terms of the following aspects:

Components 

Since dip powder is basically a kind of acrylic, have a relatively identical formula. Polymethyl methacrylate, Polymethylmethacrylate, Glitter, Vitamins, Benzoyl peroxide, and Pigment are some of the prevalent ingredients found in these two powders.

Appearance

Dip and acrylic powder are relatively resilient, offering the nails a more distinguished appearance than natural nails. Also, they are attractive, smooth, and glossy.

Aesthetics 

Aesthetically, dip powder and acrylic come in various hues, and you may apply any pattern or design you want, which is excellent because you have two options for creating the same look.

Due to these resemblances, regular observers may find it difficult to distinguish between dip and acrylic nails.

Differences

Compositions

Even though the ingredients in dip and acrylic powder are similar, the amounts of specific compounds differ. To illustrate, 40% Polymethyl methacrylate is present in dip powder, whereas 20% is present in the acrylic powder.

Furthermore, dip powder contains Titanium dioxide, helping darken the hue but acrylic powder does not. Thus, the color looks to be highly apparent.

Notably, we need to admit that dip and acrylic powder comprises over 90% acrylic ester polymers. Then how to distinguish them?

Acrylic chemicals are made up of different monomers and polymers, and each nail manufacturer employs a different amount of acrylic polymers. That is why you might use one type of acrylic powder and obtain different results while using another.

Dip powder contains resin and has been crushed into the fine-grained powder, whereas acrylics do not. 

Application process

Unlike acrylic powder, which requires the monomer to react, dip powder is activated by glazes and therefore does not necessitate a monomer.

Dip necessitates the use of a resin-based compound, such as super glue. Nevertheless, acrylics necessitate the use of monomers to make acrylic nails, and the acrylic procedure is not impossible without a monomer.

Dip nail

• After you have decided on nail color, you should apply a base coat to the nails.
• The nails are immersed several times in a silica-based powder.
• A topcoat is then applied to the nails.
• Once the powder dries, you can add nail art as well as related items to the nails.

Acrylic nail

• Before being put at the nail bed’s tip, the nails are first enlarged with plastic nail attachments.
• The nail technician will use a fluid mix to fill the gaps between the real and fake nails after gluing the extensions in position and letting them dry. 
• Then, use a nail drill is then used to buff and seamless your nails.
• Following that, you can paint the nails and finish them with such a base coat.

Ease of removal

Dip nails appear more effortless than acrylic nails since dip powder includes cyanoacrylate, a nail sealant, and is more vulnerable to solvents. That is why dip powder can quickly come off when dipping in acetone.

Longevity

One of the most distinguishing features of dip and acrylic nails is their suppleness. Despite the fact that both nail enhancements are long-lasting, dip nails are significantly more malleable than acrylic ones.

They may last up to four weeks, whereas acrylics typically last two to three weeks prior to needing a salon touch-up.

Remember that the duration of dip nails varies based on the products you use and the technician performing the manicures. Your nails’ longevity is also affected by lifestyle factors.

Therefore, nails using a dip are far less likely to fracture. On the other hand, acrylics using acrylic powder are susceptible to shattering, which is a cause of considerable dissatisfaction for individuals who own them.

Odor

Since dip powder uses a resin-based coating, similar to superglue, the procedure of applying it to the nails has absolutely no aroma.

In contrast, acrylic powder can only be used with a strong-smelling chemical fluid called a monomer. As a result, it may emit an almost unavoidable and strong odor, primarily while entering a manicure salon.

Purpose of use

Dip application is often used to substitute gel polish or nails with natural nails as well as nail extensions. You can use dip powder on real and fake nails without lengthening them.

On the contrary, people mostly use acrylic powder to lengthen their nails. Also, it may smooth and fill the nail’s surface.

Furthermore, dip powder is usually utilized in the decorative section and is advised for shorter nails. On the contrary, acrylic powder is preferred to be utilized for the body of your nail.

Appearance

Dip powder is less rigid and looks more natural than acrylic. It is durable as acrylic and removes as gel polishes. However, it does not require UV rays to heal.

Besides, it is less rough than conventional acrylic nails. Dip powder also does not inhibit average nail growth. Once used appropriately, you can see that dip powder utilization is lighter compared to acrylic.

Regardless, dip powder comes with the same aesthetic and resilience as acrylic. Its light form provides it the feel and looks of real nails. Traditional acrylic nails, as opposed to dipping nails, may feel weird and like an untrue extension of the natural nails.

Price

In general, the dip powder is significantly costlier than conventional acrylic powders. A typical dip powder manicure costs between $30 and $50. At the same time, the average cost of acrylic nails is between $30 and $45.

When you wish to utilize your dipping powder for replacing acrylic to make acrylic nails, the price of this kit of nails would be significantly more. Additionally, dip powders are only available in small jars, often 2oz or fewer. If you utilize colored dipping powders like acrylic ones, you may only be able to create several pairs of nails.

Can You Use Dip Powder With Monomer?

Definitely yes. It is possible to utilize dip powder together with a monomer. 

As mentioned earlier, dip powders are finely ground acrylic powders which create an even and smooth coating. Nevertheless, they are more creamy than acrylic powders and do not necessitate a monomer. Despite that, it is okay to combine them with a liquid monomer.

Indeed, dip powder is a good option for acrylics for home-usage. Because of the composition of dip powder, which increases thickness by applying a thin accelerator, it may take a few coats for dip powder nails to reach the same thickness as acrylic nails.

Consequently, combining dip powder and a monomer may greatly simplify the process. Using a monomer liquid to paint dip powder is a wonderful idea that everyone should try once.

What Kind Of Dip Powder That You Can Use As Acrylic?

OPI dip powder

OPI dip powder is an odor-free acrylic solution for individuals looking for durability and strength without the requirement for extra length. It ensures clean air and provides a gel-like sheen and weeks of wear with no need for light curing. 

OPI dip powder is suitable for protective layer treatments on individuals who have weak, brittle nails.

Kiss dip powder

Instead of painting on gel or liquid, you dip the nails into a colored powder. Then, your nails may last twice as long if you use Kiss dip powder instead of acrylic nails or gel nail polish.

Nonetheless, the powder’s texture may be more challenging to work with than conventional acrylics, yet it is still possible.

Kiara Sky dip powder

This powder is finely ground and more refined than your standard acrylic powder, and as a result, it feels lighter on your nail bed than placing gel nail polish on top of the nail or obtaining artificial nails. 

Suppose you require that length or expect to offer your fragile nail bed additional strength and durability. In that case, you may still utilize Kiara Sky dip powder as acrylic on top of your acrylic.

In addition, this highly colored and smooth solution is simple to apply and gives a smooth, long-lasting, and strong nail extension for your following set.

Can You Use Acrylic Powder As Dip Powder?

Fortunately, it is okay to do so. To strengthen and provide the real nails with a more natural look, acrylic powder can be used instead of dip powder. The reason is that, as previously said, dip powder is known as essentially a finer-grained acrylic powder with a slightly different formulation.

Remember that acrylic powder is likely to be thicker than dip powders. Thus, to attain the appropriate perfection, you may have to shape or polish the nail for a longer length of time by buffing it.

Furthermore, when you use acrylic powders to replace dip powder, they can lose the name and then be dip powders as a result of the dipping process. Furthermore, there are various advantages to applying acrylic powder to the dip nails.

You may receive roughly the same intensity while not smelling your whole house. Also, you may save a significant amount of time by completing your nail set quicker and with much less effort.

In addition, using acrylic to eliminate dip nails achieves the same result as utilizing dip powder. However, it is considerably faster and milder on your real nails.

How To Use Acrylic Powder As Dip Powder?

Once you have the acrylic powder on hand, you may do the dip nails similarly to a standard dip powder. Remember to repeat these instructions on each nail and the opposite hand.

• Step 1: Get your nails ready. To achieve a smooth finish, trim your nails, wash them, and file them softly to achieve a smooth finish.

• Step 2: Use acetone. Apply an acetone coating to every nail and allow it to dry before applying any other items.

• Step 3: Apply nail adhesive. Apply a thin powder coating in a consistent pattern for a flawless powder coating to seal your nail bed. After applying the nail adhesive, immediately dip the nails into acrylic powder. You may utilize clear acrylic powder to make additional color changes easier. Additionally, while applying nail adhesive, avoid getting very near the cuticle.

• Step 4: Immerse the nails in warm water. You can either distribute the acrylic powder over your nails using a tube or spoon or just dip them in the powder at an angle. Following soaking the nails in acrylic powder, you need to shake off any extra powder and leave it to dry before sweeping away any leftovers once completely dry.

• Step 5: Use the activator. The activator must be used at this stage since it operates in the same manner as the monomer does with acrylic powder to stiffen it up.

• Step 6: Trim and buff the nails. This stage will assist you in achieving the ideal form and length.

• Step 7: Use gel polish. Using gel polish may offer an extra layer of toughness to your nails, preventing chipping.

• Step 8: Finish with a top layer. Lastly, add a top layer to the nails to give them a flawless appearance. Make sure to put oil around your nails to keep them moisturized.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Use Dip Powder To Fill Your Acrylic Nails?

As previously mentioned, you may use dip powder as acrylic powder. However,

using it instead of acrylic to fill your acrylic nails is not advised.

To clarify, acrylic gets tough and takes on a correct shape after being processed with a monomer. However, dip powder comprises fine granules that become relatively tricky when combined with glue and an activator.

Furthermore, if you expect a long-lasting filling, the mixture of dip powder and acrylic nails may not work. Instead, the area you fill the acrylic nails using the dip powder may chip quickly, ruining the whole manicure.

If you are a beginner and are considering how to use dip powder as acrylic, you can watch this video:

Can You Apply Dip Powder With A Brush?

The answer is yes. You should tilt the brush while spreading the base coat to cause dip powder to be built unevenly.

In addition, ensure the brush is put horizontally and the palms are pointing down on the flat surface.

What Is The Duration Of A Dip Powder Manicure?

Dip powder nails may last for two weeks or a month, based on how harsh you are on the nails and how ready you are to cope with the nails coming in at their base. 

However, it is still wonderful to do your DIY nails since it implies less time to achieve a beautiful nail look. Furthermore, completing the dip powders saves you money over the long term because they do not even necessitate as much upkeep.

Final Thoughts

Although there are similarities and distinctions between dip powder and acrylic powder, the answer to the title question,

“Can you use dip powder as acrylic?” is still yes.

Even though the powder’s viscosity is not as easy to deal with as conventional acrylic powder, you may use dip powder as an alternative to acrylic.