The salon-quality nail kit that saved me $1,800 in a year
It all started in the lockdown of 2020. Me, a regular nail bar goer never thought I'd miss getting my nails done fortnightly, until I couldn't – for months.
I was willing to try anything to replicate that shiny salon-finish, but my regular nail polishes, and my sub-par painting skills weren't cutting it, especially not when the stress of being confined to a five-kilometre radius and the uncertainty of living through my first-ever pandemic meant I was gnawing at my nails, non-stop. I needed my SNS powder dipped nails back, immediately.
I sound dramatic, but when a powder dip nail kit landed on my desk – at the same time my nails were screaming out for a bit of attention, and I'd already finished watching all of Netflix – I knew it was worth a shot, even if it made my nail tech shudder at the thought of me attempting to give myself a powder dip mani.
And since that momentous (for me) day, I have saved thousands and honed a new little skill.
The initial outlay ($155, for everything you need to get started) might seem like a lot, but if you're someone who goes to the salon regularly and pays $60-$70 for the pleasure, you'll enjoy major savings two-to-three manicures in.
What to buy:
NOTE: Prices are accurate at time of publishing.
Note: If you've got a set of nail files from smooth to harsh grits and a spare fluffy brush you can take this off the initial cost. Hello, savings!
What is an SNS powder dip manicure, exactly?
Different to your standard gel or acrylic nails, an SNS manicure uses gel polish and dipping powder. It dries instantly (tick!) and doesn't require an LED or UV lamp to cure the nail (BIG tick!).
According to SNS creators the gel base polish is packed with nutrients including vitamins A, E, D and B5 to help protect your nails.
How to do-it-yourself SNS powder dip nails
After plenty of trial and error, with my shaky hands, I am proof that it's possible to master salon-quality nails at home, on your own!
- Start by shaping your nails and gently pushing back your cuticles as you would normally when giving your nails a tidy up. Using a nail file with a rough grit, buff across your nail plate to remove any shine and to create a bit of grip for the gel base polish.
- Paint the nail with a thin (important!) layer of SNS Super Gel Base polish, making sure to avoid your skin and cuticles, then dip the nail (on an angle) into the SNS Natural Set Dipping Powder.
- Remove your finger, tap gently on the side of the pot and then brush the excess powder off the nail – gently, gently.
- Repeat steps 2-3 for each nail.
- Apply a thin layer of SNS Gelous Base polish to the nail (Remember: be sure to stay away from the cuticle line and surrounding skin), then dip the nail into your SNS Gelous Colour of choice – Ours? Tres Chic. Tap and then brush excess powder off the nail. And just like before, do this to each nail.
- Repeat step 5. Twice is usually enough to get the correct colour, but if you want a deeper shade you can repeat step 5 a third time. Just note, this will make the nail appear a little thicker. For lighter colours, I typically paint and dip three times.
- Now it's time to buff the bumps down on each nail using a smooth nail file (I like to use a file with a grit around 240 for this step). Use a nail file (any grit will do) to reshape the nails again, if needed.
- Wash your hands with water – no soap! – then dry. You just want to remove any excess powder from your hands and nails.
- Brush Sealer Dry on to each nail.
- Apply a thin layer of SNS Gel Top polish on the nail, brushing from left to right. Avoid going back over the polish. Let the first coat dry.
- Then apply a second coat of SNS Gel Top polish to each nail. Again, don't paint over the wet polish.
Voilà! Fresh, salon-quality SNS powder dip nails.
Is the nail kit worth it?
It's been over two years since I first tried a powder dip mani at home, sure, I had plenty of time on my hands to give it a go – we were living in unprecedented times and I was doing unprecedented things – but I haven't (sorry, to my nail lady) stopped DIY-ing my nails. So, in short, yes! It's worth it.
If not for the major savings and ability to do them whenever you've got a spare 45 minutes, the end result (hello, shiny strong nails!) is quite impressive and worth the effort.
If you take the time to prep your nails correctly – that is shape, buff and apply the base layer correctly – the manicure will easily last up to three weeks. It's staying power is no different to an in-salon SNS manicure.
The entire 8-piece kit costs $157.22 and while it might seem expensive, when compared to the average cost of an SNS mani – for me that's $75 a fortnight (includes removal and any cute artwork I decide will dictate my mood for the next week or so) – you're saving money within a month. And over a year that's a huge saving of $1792.78.
Full disclosure: my first kit was a gift from the brand, however, I have since restocked the kit, at my own expense, twice over. Will I ever stop? Probably not.