Latest nails trends – is gel out?

It looks like the gel manicure has taken the backseat, making room for the latest trends – dip powder nails and bubble manis. Here’s a quick look at what you can expect from your next trip to the nail bar.

Dip Powder Nails

Dip powder nails are all the rage this year – they’re making their mark on social media and genuinely do look gorgeous. Dip powder paint lasts longer than a regular manicure – typically for up to two weeks, similar to Gelish or Shellac.

As with most nail treatments, a base coat is applied. Then, the nails are dipped into powder. There’s no need for UV lamps – intriguingly, the powder dries on its own. In terms of how healthy dip powder is for your nails, some technicians equate it to gels or basic acrylics. Similar to Gelish and Shellac manicures, the powder must be removed properly, or the nail can be damaged.

Bubble Nails

Right now, bubble or ‘hump’ nails are the latest off-the-wall trend in nail art to sweep across social media. They actually appeared back in 2009, but they’re having their moment only now. The term ‘bubble nails’ is derived from the curved shape achieved by a round of acrylic being fixed at the center of the nail, then shaped into a bubble-like dome.

It takes some building and sculpting of the acrylic to achieve this look, which is in itself a work of art – getting the perfect curve is what it’s all about. Having identified exactly where the bump is to be, the technician slowly builds up the nail, thin in the area at the cuticle, gradually thickening as it reaches the center of the nail plate and gradually thinning again at the nail tip – like a smooth hill.

No matter how much you love this fun, albeit weird, experiment in nail art, you probably won’t want to keep your hump nails on for more than a few days. Once you’ve had your childlike moment of fun, it’s time to get practical! The process of removing them is similar to having acrylics removed. Your best bet is to make an appointment with a professional, rather than trying take matters into your own hands. The removal process involves cutting or filing down the bubble-shaped extensions, and then soaking the nails in acetone.

Sporting any type of fake nails can damage your nat­ural nail, so make sure you take a break after experimenting with trends like these – and certainly between trying different ones. It is rec­om­mend to use a nour­ish­ing, Vi­t­a­min E-based cream or oil to guard your nails against break­age.