Glamrdip Review: At-home nail kit saved me hundreds
Love a good mani but don’t have time to get them professionally done? This at-home nail kit will give you the exact same results.
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Getting your nails professionally done in this economy is a luxury.
As a self-proclaimed nail enthusiast, the regular ritual of getting your nails done every few weeks is exciting but not cheap – we’re looking at upwards of $100 per visit and with the cost of living rising, it’s one hobby I’ve had to cut out to save money.
Having a fresh set of nails not only looks good and makes me feel put together, but it also prevents me from biting my nails and picking at the skin on my fingers. I’ve tried my hand at painting my nails with regular nail polish and although it’s cheap, they just don’t last long enough and chip easily.
So in an attempt to curb my bad habits without running my pockets dry, I decided to give GLAMRDiP’s Salon Perfect Ultimate Kit a shot.
WHAT IS GLAMRDiP?
GLAMRDiP is an Australian dip-powder nail brand that prides itself in being a non-toxic and affordable alternative to traditional nail treatments. Promising salon-quality results, GLAMRDiP offers three different kits and a number of dip-powder colours to choose from – a Salon Perfect Starter Kit comes with two dip-powders ($139), Salon Perfect Complete Kit comes with four dip-powders ($159) and Salon Perfect Ultimate Kit comes with six dip-powders ($179). Plus, each kit equates to around 40 manicures which boils down the cost of each fresh set to just $3 – what a steal!
Are the kits as beginner-friendly as they claim to be and do they stack up to a salon visit? Scroll on to read my honest thoughts.
GLAMRDiP: THE PROCESS
A quick three-step manicure is pretty much as far as my ~nail-tech~ skills go and this dip-powder set required a lot more prep than I expected. If that worries you like it did for me, don’t fret – the kit comes with every tool you could possibly need along with liquids and a step-by-step instruction booklet. Plus, there are a few tutorials on YouTube you can watch for extra guidance.
I first prepped my nails by pushing my cuticles back with the steel cuticle pusher for a clean nail bed. Using the nail file the kit came with, I buffed each nail with the 180 grit side and then applied the bond which helps to dry out your nails and remove any oils for better adhesion.
I measured out each nail with pre-shaped nail tips (these are sold separately) and glued them on accordingly with the base liquid. Next, I cut and filed each nail tip to my desired length and shape until I was satisfied with how they looked.
Now came the fun (and tricky) part – dipping my nails into the powder. This step requires you to alternate between the base liquid and the coloured dip-powder, and it’s important that the base doesn’t get onto your skin as the powder will stick to it.
After doing about two to three coats of powder, you need to apply the seal liquid and wait 2-minutes for it to dry. Once they’re dry and hard to the touch, you can buff the nail with the 180 grit side of the nail file and the 240 grit side – this is necessary for ensuring your nails are smooth, flat and the right shape.
Finally, you can top your nails off with another layer of seal, then go in with the glow liquid to give your nails that shiny finish and then apply the heal liquid to moisturise your cuticles.
Et voila! You’ve got yourself a fresh set of nails that look like they were done at a professional salon.
GLAMRDiP: THE VERDICT – IS IT WORTH IT?
As a first-timer and beginner at dip-powder, I absolutely loved my experience using the GLAMRDiP Salon perfect Ultimate Kit.
It was a lot easier than I had anticipated and the step-by-step instructions really helped. It’s very similar to SNS, which I have had done at professional nail salons and while it was a trust-the-process moment – doing it all on my own was incredibly satisfying.
At times, I doubted the results due to being impatient – especially before filing the nails down because my nails looked really fat and chunky, but after filing them down, it’s safe to say I nailed it. They looked too flippin’ good.
The process was a bit messy with powder going everywhere and the scent of the liquids are very strong, so it’s definitely not an activity to do in small areas that don’t have great ventilation and if there are pets around. It also wasn’t the most timely process, however, since this was my first time using the kit, I’m sure I’ll get the hang of it and get faster with time.
I’m obsessed with the magenta colour I chose and cannot wait to try out other colours and experiments with designs like ombre, French tip and more.
I love that GLAMRDiP doesn’t require any UV lights and their formulas are packed with vitamins, keratin and Australian botanicals to promote healthy nails and support nail growth – which is exactly what I need.
Although I can’t speak on how long it lasts, they feel incredibly strong and durable which makes me believe they’ll last the five weeks.
Now begs the questions, would I personally recommend GLAMRDiP? Yes, 100 per cent.
I highly recommend GLAMRDiP for anyone – from those that love a good mani but are trying to save money to those that want a neat solution to a messy habit like nail biting and skin picking.
It’s SO worth it and really a no-brainer as you not only get to save money and time but you also get to learn to be your own nail tech. You genuinely don’t need to have previous experience to use GLAMRDiP’s kits and all the instructions are crystal clear which makes it so easy to follow. I can definitely see myself using this kit more often for quick manis and I’m so excited to keep trying out different nail looks!
If you’re a sucker for discounts, check out the news.com.au Coupons page for deals on your favourite online brands and retailers including Sephora, Priceline and Chemist Warehouse.
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