How To Create Plaid Dip Nails
Difficulty
Difficult
Time required
Minimum 1 Hour
Salon price 
Est. $60 / Mani
DipWell price
Est. $5 / Mani
Some nail tape! (or regular tape if you prefer) This is integral to having a clean and straight lines. There are plain ones and colorful ones but they are a must have in this nail application. Unless, of course, you are a nail superstar & acrylic dipping is one of your strong suits.
Step 1
- Apply a thin coat of Step 1 Bond. Allow it to dry completely.
- Use tweezers to apply a thin strip of nail tape down the center of your nail. Make sure the tape is securely attached, re-positioning if needed.
Step 2
- Apply a second strip of tape across the tip of the nail, perpendicular to the first one.
Step 3
- Paint a thin coat of Step 2 Base and immediately pour CL-66 over nail.
- Repeat for more coverage.
PRO TIP: Avoid getting the product onto cuticles, powder will pick up wherever Base is applied.
Step 4
- Gently remove the tape, and file edges of powder to create clean, crisp lines.
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Step 5
- Paint a layer of Step 2 Base on the bare sections, being careful not to paint over the yellow blocks. Immediately pour French White powder over nail.
- Repeat for more coverage.
Step 6
- Apply Step 3 Activator and allow a few minutes for powder to harden. Then buff and shape nails.
Step 7
- Apply two new pieces of nail tape horizontally across the tip of your nail, one one each edge of the white stripe.
- Paint Step 2 Base across the portion of the white stripe between the nail tape. Immediately pour CL-68 over your nail to create a new, thinner stripe.
- Repeat for more coverage, then gently remove tape.
Step 8
- Add four new strips of tape along each section of the original vertical white stripe.
- Create a new, narrow vertical stripe of CL-68, using the same steps.
Step 9
- Buff surface.
- Paint a thin coat of Step 2 Base over entire nail and dip into Base & Finish Powder.
Step 10
- Apply Step 3 Activator, allow 3-5 minutes for nails to harden. Then buff nails.
Step 11
- Apply three pieces of tape to create two more horizontal lines, just above and below your original white line. Paint base over your new line, and pour over with CL-70.
Step 12
- Buff lines if needed.
- Paint a thin layer of Step 2 Base over the entire nail and dip into Base & Finish powder. Allow powder to set and then lightly buff.
Step 13
- Repeat the taping process to create two vertical blue lines.
Step 14
- Paint on a final coat of Step 2 Base, and dip into Base & Finish powder.
PRO TIP: Brushes may harden or pick up color powder during application. Simply switch them between Brush Softener for easy cleaning & workability.
Step 15
- Apply Step 3 Activator, allow 3-5 minutes for nails to harden. Then buff & shape nails to your desired finish.
Step 16
- Wash hands or use a lint free wipe saturated in alcohol to wipe the nails clean.
PRO TIP: Make sure nails are completely dry before moving to the next step!
Step 17
- Apply a second coat of Step 3 Activator.
- Allow 3-5 minutes for nails to harden.
Step 18
- Paint a coat of Step 4 Sealer and allow 2-3 minutes for nails to dry.
PRO TIP: Brushes may harden or pick up color powder during application. Simply switch them between Brush Softener for easy cleaning & workability.
Step 19
- Paint another coat of Step 4 Sealer and allow 2-3 minutes for nails to dry.
PRO TIP: Don't apply more than 2 coats of Sealer as this will prevent even drying & may result in a gummy mani.
Finish!
- Okay, we know this tutorial may have seemed long, but it's totally worth it!
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