If you’ve mastered the surprisingly user-friendly process of applying dip powder nails at home, you may have wondered: Can you fill dip nails? Or do you need to completely remove your hard work once they start to grow out?
Good news—you can do a dip nail fill on yourself or someone else, especially if you want to maintain the same color. In fact, the fill process is even easier than the initial application. Young Nails’ four-step SlickPour system makes fills practically effortless. Alternatively, our revolutionary Conversion Base allows for a powder fill with even fewer steps.
Each method has its own procedure depending on the products you use, but both are simple and deliver beautiful, long-lasting results.
Filling Dip Nails With the SlickPour System
Our four-step SlickPour system allows you to fill dip nails in a way very similar to the initial enhancement process. And while we call it "dip powder," we actually recommend scooping the powder onto the nail with a small spoon for a neater, more hygienic application.
Start by pushing back the cuticles with a cuticle pusher. Then, use a safety bit on your electric file to reduce bulk from the grown-out area—being careful not to touch the natural nail. Your goal here is to smooth the ridge where the enhancement meets the natural nail and bring down the height slightly.
Next, use an arbor band to lightly remove the shine from the natural nail and create texture in the existing dip layer—this helps the new product adhere properly. Use a clean, dry manicure brush to dust off the nails.
Working one nail at a time, Apply Step 1: Prep to dehydrate the nail plate on all 10 nails. Then, working on one nail at a time, Step 2: Base, making sure to cover the entire nail and natural nail area down to the cuticle. Scoop powder over the nail, tap off the excess, and repeat on the full hand.
Repeat the Base and powder steps for a second coat, curing each hand after application. Use a brush to remove any remaining powder, then apply Step 3: Activator across each nail.
Once the activator sets, shape and smooth the nails using a hand file. This step ensures even surfaces, clean free edges, and removes any extra bulk. Apply another coat of Step 3: Activator across each nail. Use a dry wipe to gently rub it in. Finish with Step 4: Top— After brushing on the Top Coat, wipe the brush on a clean lint-free wipe prior to putting the brush back into the bottle. This will remove any residue from the activator that may have transferred from the nail to the brush and will keep the brush from hardening. Or, for extra shine and minimal drying time, use a gel top coat, which sets quickly under UV light.
Filling Dip Nails With Conversion Gel
If you'd rather skip the full resin-based system, our Conversion Base is your go-to alternative. This method offers a slightly different—but even faster—fill process.
Begin by prepping the nail just as before: push back the cuticles, then use a safety bit followed by an arbor band to reduce bulk and texture the surface. After brushing off the dust, apply two coats of Protein Bond for maximum adhesion.
Next, apply Conversion Base from cuticle to tip and scoop your chosen powder over the wet gel. Cure under the UV light for one minute. Repeat with a second coat—and a third, if you're using a glitter powder that needs extra coverage.
After shaping with a hand file, finish with a Conversion Top Coat, cure for 60 seconds and cleanse with ManiQ Cleanser for a glossy finish.
Once you try this method, you’ll love how it combines the ease and quality of the SlickPour system with even quicker results.