Apply tip & dip nail extensions at home

Dip powder has taken nail art to the next level. This new way of polishing nails has given the feasibility of creating gorgeous long lasting manicures without causing much damage to the nails. Most of us are either not aware of it or avoid it since it is done mostly in salons and by nail experts. However, you can recreate some of the gorgeous nails looks at the comfort of your home at a minimal cost per manicure. And to make it easy for you here is a well laid out Tip and Dip nail extensions tutorial just for you. 

Things you will need

• Rubber tipped pusher
• Dipping powder of your choice
• Activator
• Filer 
• Nail Tips
• 180 grit file
• Nail glue
• White Block
• Brushes
• Resin
• White and grey buffer
• Top coat
• Cuticle oil

Steps for Tip and Dip Nail Extensions

1. The first thing we need to do is have a good old hand wash.

2. Next remove any old nail polish you have on, make sure that your natural nails are free from any other products (like old acrylic, silk or gel)

3. Now, gently push back your cuticles with a rubber tipped pusher.

4. If your natural nails are quite long, file them down a little in length and shape them to a soft, slightly rounded shape (this ensures that the white tip you are going to apply in a bit fits snuggly against your natural nail)

5. Ok, now its time to take out your white (or pink, blue, black, green, purple!) nail tips and chose the size that best fits each finger. You want the tips to fit from side to side on your own natural nail. As you size up each finger, lay the correct size tip out in front of you in the correct order.

6. Now, apply your nail glue to the free edge of your natural nail, where you tip is going to be, Hold the tip close to the good area and gently slide the tip up to meet the edge of your natural nail, rock the tip slightly to get rid of any air pockets.

7. Once you have applied all ten tips, cut then to your chosen length and using a 180 grit file, shape. 

  

8. Next take a white block and remove the shine from the white tips on each finger. Be carefull not to file your own nail, just the tip.

9. Using the brush on resin, paint a thin layer on the nail, staying 1/16 of an inch away from your cuticle.

10. Now quickly dip your nail into the acrylic dip powder, wait a few seconds and remove any extra powder with a soft cosmetics brush (Mine is a good quality blusher brush)

11. Apply a second layer of brush on resin, this time a little further away from the cuticle than the first, Dip your nail again, wait a few seconds then gently brush off any extra powder. Repeat on all ten fingers taking care not to get any product on your skin as this can lead to lifting or an allergic reaction.

12. Spray with an activator or allow to set naturally for 5 minutes, sometimes activator can cause a slight heat sensation, so I prefer to allow to set naturally.

13. Now do a quick reshape of the nail with your 180 grit file, if you have any bumps on the surface of your nail gently file them down.

14. Next use, the white block on every nail to smooth away any lines around the cuticle and go over the entire nail to smooth.

15. At this point, I like to apply a little cuticle oil and rub into the cuticle and the nail and buff to a high shine using a white and grey buffer block

16. Give your hands a good old wash and apply a clear topcoat or your fave polish and your good to go

To help you understand it better, here is a tutorial to increase the length of your short nails following the Tip and Dip method. 

Remember, it would take a nail tech around 90 mins to apply a full set of nail extensions so take your time. There are different ways to do the tip and dip so please use this as a guide only and always refer to the instructions in your nail pack.

You can even use different colours of dip to create various effects on your nails. With practice, you can learn to create designs on your nails.





Do you love to tip and dip? share your comments about this nail extension technique with me in the comments below.

Lots of Love!!!
XOXO