In an ideal world, my nails are always neatly painted in strong vivid colors. I sincerely admire women who take good care of their hands. Having a clean cared for manicure reveals a lot about a woman, much more than wearing the correct shoes. Unfortunately having nice nails is a luxury I can’t afford anymore, time-wise. I’m also doomed with frail cuticles which makes me a bloody nightmare for manicurists. Between having my hands in water, wiping snot and picking up things from the floor, my fingers are continuously touching stuff. Time to wait patiently until the nail polish is dry enough to resume my activities I do not have. That’s why I wonder whether this next quirk is something for me or not.

What is this thing about powder nail polish? How can you even apply it without making a mess around the nail? Is it easier to apply than the liquid version? It’s called Kiara Sky and comes with a loooot of steps to follow but if these steps take less time than what I need to normally wait to safely use my hands again, it’s fine with me! So let’s go:

Step 0: Clean hands and nails

Step 1: Push back the cuticles

Step 2: Remove natural shine&brush nail off

Step 3: Apply BOND
layer

Step 4: Apply BASE over 3/4 upper nail

Step 5: Dip into NATURAL powder

Step 6: Apply BASE on entire nail

Step 7: Dip into COLOR powder

Step 8: Brush excess powder off

Step 9: Apply BASE over entire nail

Step 10: Dip into COLOR powder

Step 11: Brush excess powder off

Step 12: Apply BASE again

Step 13: Dip into CLEAR powder

Step 14: Apply SEAL PROTECT layer

Step 15: File / Shape / Buff
File edges, reduce thickness

Step 16: Wash hands to remove extra powder

Step 17: Apply SEAL PROTECT coat

Step 18: Wipe with lint cloth

Step 19: Apply TOP COAT thinly
while you finish applying on all fingers the TOP COAT will be dry

Step 20: Apply TOP COAT again
use quick thin strokes and let it dry for 2 minutes

Step 21: Apply nourish oil over cuticles

Step 22: Massage upwards

Yes, 23 steps is an intricate process, which makes it the main minus point of the Kiara Sky powder dip nail polish. Also the complete kit including 1 color powder is expensive at ~€130. It’s addressed to nail professionals, for the rest the product comes with a learning curve so don’t expect to work out smoothly the first time you apply it.

If the Kiara Sky dip powder solves the issues I have with the classic nail polish, I will consider myself a happy customer:

• Uniformly applied nail polish, covering the natural shape of the nail. No more faulty brush strokes and clumpy texture cause the nail polish is a bit too thick
• Almost no drying time required, as far as I could understand. Can I really scratch my back after applying the last TOP COAT layer?
• Even though it’s not gel, it stays on for 2-3 weeks
• Made of chemical friendly ingredients that protect and support nail health
• Can choose between a mat or glossy finish – I love mat so this gets me excited