How to Do Dip Powder on Short, Natural Nails

Here's how to create a stunning all-neon manicure on your short natural dip powder nails!

As we go, I’ll be giving you a whole bunch of tips and tricks for dipping your nails when they're short. Let’s jump on in!

1. Push cuticles back

Start by pushing your cuticles back with a cuticle pusher.

3. Dip the nails

Now dip your nails in the dip powder - I am using some gorgeous flaky dips.

4. Remove excess

Use a cuticle stick to clean away any excess polish and powder around your nails. If you leave dip base and dip powder on your skin after each application, your nails are more likely to lift, which you definitely want to avoid.

Another tip is to apply tape to the index finger on the other hand and use it to pick up excess powder. This is a practical technique for managing and cleaning up any stray dip powder or polish around the nails. 

5. Apply base coat

Once you’ve dipped your nails, apply a clear base coat.

6. Apply second layer

Then you can go in with a second layer of dip powder.

7. Apply clear dip powder

Next, apply clear white dip powder by pouring it over the top of your nails. This will seal the colored dip powder underneath and add a shiny top layer, giving the nails a polished look.

8. Apply top coat

Now apply your clear activator. The clear nail activator is designed to react with the dip powder to harden and cure it. It helps prevent chipping and peeling by creating a more solid and resilient surface.

Once your nails are hardened, you can tap on them to make sure that they make a tapping noise, and that's how you know they're hard enough to file.

9. File nails

Now file, shape, and buff your nails. When my nails are very short, I first focus on correcting their shape.

Short nails can become uneven and thick, so I use a hand file to refine the shape and ensure it's crisp before moving on to buffing.

10. Spray the nails

Once you’ve shaped your nails, spray them with isopropyl alcohol and wipe them off with a lint-free wipe.

This is going to make sure that all the dust and everything is removed before you go to do your top coating.

I also like to push my cuticles back again before applying the top coat.

11. Apply top coat

The final step is to apply the top coat. Be sure to follow the instructions provided with your dip liquids, as top coat application can vary between different products.