Powder vs Gel: Which Is the Better Nail Polish?

By Alina Kelly

Many believe that your nails can say a lot about you, and everyone loves to look at a perfect manicure. The question is, how can you achieve those flawless nails? Moving away from basic polish and acrylics, gel nail polish and dip powder have recently become the most popular types of manicures. 
When searching for nail polish, there are many factors to consider. Price, durability, application time, and effects on nail health are all important factors that should be acknowledged when choosing a polish.

When comparing the price of gel and powder manicures, you will find that they are pretty similar. The average cost of dip powder nails ranges from $50 to $60, and the average cost of gel nails ranges from $25 to $60. Though the average prices are about the same, gel manicures can be much cheaper than powder nails at certain salons, which make them a more appealing option to some.

The amount of time it takes to apply gel and powder nails are very similar as well. Both manicures take approximately 45 minutes to an hour. Since the application times are the same, it isn’t an important factor in choosing between the two manicures.

There are, however, a few differences when looking at the durability of gel and powder polishes. Dip powder nails can last up to three to four weeks without chips, while gel nails only last two to three weeks without chips. Dip powder is much thicker than gel, which makes it more durable. The thickness of powder nails also helps protect your real nails from any breakage because they will be protected by the powder. Though the thickness does help protect your nails, it gives them a more acrylic look while gel nails have a much thinner coat, making them appear more like your basic polish. People may favor one appearance over another, but there is no doubt that dip powder nails are much more durable than gel nails. 

It is also important to look at how the polish affects your nail heath. Both gel and powder manicures can affect the health of your nails in different ways. While it is clear that both of these manicures aren't as safe for your nails as your basic polish manicure, they are more appealing because of their durability. If you don’t remove gel or powder nails properly, your nails can become damaged. It may seem convenient to just peel off the gel polish or pick off the powder; however, it is best to go to a salon to have them removed properly so your nails don’t become damaged. Peeling off these manicures can lead to peeling and breakage of your natural nails. 

There are also implications for your nail health based on the application process. With dip powder, there may be concerns about the cleanliness of the process because you are dipping your finger into a container of powder. It is important to check with your nail technician to ensure that they are taking actions to ensure the containers of powder are bacteria free. With the application of gel manicures there is a concern about the harmful UV rays.  When getting a gel manicure, UV rays are used to cure the polish. Though exposure is brief, it can still be harmful and cause skin damage, especially if you get these manicures regularly. Both manicures do pose a potential threat to your nail health, but if proper precautions are taken, your nails should be just fine.

    After taking all of these factors into consideration, I feel that dip powder manicures are the better choice over gel nails. I used to frequently get gel manicures until a friend introduced me to dip powder, and now I get powder nails every time I get a manicure. With gel manicures, I found that they began to peel very quickly, after approximately one to two weeks, while powder nails would not crack so easily. Being that I am a very active person, I prefer powder nails because they are much more durable and last longer. The prices of both manicures are relatively similar; at the salon I go to, powder nails are only $5 more than gel nails, so considering that powder nails can last over a week longer, I feel that the cost is worth the price difference.

Though people will certainly have their individual preferences, powder nails are much more durable than gel nails, which makes them a better option for people who want their manicure to last longer.