How to Fix Lifting Dip Nails at Home

Let me set the scene: You're headed to a wedding. The dress you picked out from Rent the Runway fits just right, your heels seem like they're going to be comfortable, your hair is actually holding a curl, and you managed to keep your hand steady when you were putting on eyeliner. There's just one problem: You notice that you somehow chipped your dip powder manicure. It's like the nail polish just shed right off, and now you're holding it in the palm of your hand.

My friend recently shared this beauty horror story. Although she went out and got a dip powder manicure a few days before her friend's wedding, for whatever reason, the polish came off one of her fingers in a single piece. Since going to the salon was out of the question, what was she to do? I reached out to nail expert Gina Edwards for her best advice.

Meet the expert

Gina Edwards is a Kiss brand ambassador and celebrity manicurist.

Keep scrolling for tips on how to fix dip powder nails at home and prevent lifting in the first place.

How to Fix Lifting Dip Powder Nails

Nail glue is the manicure hack you need for instantly fixing chipped dip nails. To make your mani look fresh again, Edwards suggested using a thick formula like the Kiss Brush On Nail Glue ($4.50) and then spritzing it with a glue activator spray so that it dries instantly.

Of course, the key to this fix is actually having the polish to stick back on — so keep an eye out and do a thorough sweep of the premises as soon as you notice a sliver of your color has disappeared. Without it? It's either a trip to the salon or applying a coat of polish that doesn't exactly match said nail.

How to Prevent Dip Powder Nails from Lifting

To prolong your dip powder manicure, prep your nails first. Begin by checking for oily nail beds, which can make it difficult for powder to stick. The workaround? Lightly buff nails. This will allow the product to better adhere to your nail bed. Also, remove cuticles carefully since powder that is applied on top of cuticles can lead to lifting.

When it's time to remove the dip powder manicure, apply a cuticle oil and massage it into the side walls by the cuticle line once the polish is off. 

"It's important to restore the natural oil balance and pH in your nails since dehydration can occur after removal," explained Edwards.

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