With the recent surge of dip into the market over the last couple of years, many nail techs are wondering which service they should offer their clients: Dip Powder or Gel Polish? How does each perform? Which service would be best? Is there an easy way to incorporate these simple yet effective products into your salon business? Which one is the right one for you?
We have seen Dip Powder take the world by storm in recent years. In some instances, nail techs are ditching Gel Polish in favour this latest nail trend. Both Dip and Gel Polish are wonderful options to use directly onto the natural nail. Both are services with a very easy learning curve. So there is no intimidation factor for the beginner or expert. One might be swayed to substitute one service for the other.
A beautifully executed set of Dip Powdered nails is easily mistaken for Gel Polish. Gel Polish is the long time client favourite for its own reasons. There is magic to both. So when pressed even Tracey our YN Director of Operations has a hard time picking a favourite. Her response, “Why turn anyone or their money away?” The real profitable answer is that nail techs should offer both; if your salon environment allows.
Most salons offer Gel Polish, but a nail pro should always consider the client’s needs first. Strong nails typically handle Gel Polish well, while brittle nails benefit from the firm structure of Dip Powder. Having multiple techniques in your toolkit lets you respond to different client demands.
Mastering product control is key, especially with Gel Polish, as it prevents flooding the cuticle. To start with Dip Powder, we recommend using YN Conversion Gel with our SlickPour Dip Powder for a blend of acrylic strength and gel flexibility. While glue/resin is another option, it's less favored due to common sensitivities. Offering choices also helps reassure clients who may be anxious about UV lamps.
Here we’d like to break away from technique and talk about client relationships. The idea that nail techs should submit to their clients every whim is not in the cards. With every buzzing new nail trend, it’s important for you to stay in the know. Always educate yourself and your customer about nail health and how the trend has its pros and cons. Our recommendation is to work towards building a full clientele.
These are your “chosen ones”. You have created a relationship based on trust. These amazing clients know what you can deliver and respect your work. It’s why they keep coming back time and time again. At this point, fill your books with more of these kind of people and start weeding out the not-so-amazing clients. You know the problem ones who think they know more than a pro?
All nail pros should strive for versatility, so that there isn’t a single service you can’t do. When a new trend comes along, you are willing and excited to give it a go. When your base and fundamentals are strong, let that lead you to a comfortable expansion of services. Expand. Grow. Gain confidence. Start all over again so you find yourself being free to play around and confident to offer almost everything. You will have the right tool for every moment and cast a wide net to get every client.
