Kupa Thumbnails Chapter 12: New Age Dipping

Dip systems have been available for many years, but new advances mean they are now faster, longer-lasting, and more versatile than ever before. In the past, dipping systems used cyanocrylate-based adhesives or resins that produced a strong odor and even caused a burning sensation in eyes and noses. Kupa’s DipFinity is free of cyanoacrylate and odor, featuring a light-cured adhesive, so it won’t cause eyes to burn or stick fingers together.

Dip systems have been available for many years, but new advances mean they are now faster, longer-lasting, and more versatile than ever before. In the past, dipping systems used cyanocrylate-based adhesives or resins that produced a strong odor and even caused a burning sensation in eyes and noses. Kupa’s DipFinity is free of cyanoacrylate and odor, featuring a light-cured adhesive, so it won’t cause eyes to burn or stick fingers together. This new adhesive combined with TripTych color acrylic powders creates an LED/UV enhancement with a fully constructed Polyfusion layer. With traditional cyanocrylate adhesives, the polymer particles just stick to the surface of the adhesive, while with DipFinity, the polymer particles are pressed into the adhesive, meaning they fully bind with the product. This system requires fewer products and steps, saving time and helping the professional earn more money. Stronger than a gel-polish but lighter than a traditional acrylic, DipFinity can be applied as a natural nail overlay or a tip overlay, and can be filled as well.

DIPFINITY APPLICATION TIPS

Place your desired powder in one of the disposable dip trays. These come with the starter kit and are also available online at www.kupainc.com. Only fill the tray with enough powder so that your client’s nails don’t hit the bottom of the tray when you dip them.

PREP

To apply the DipFinity system, begin by prepping the natural nail and cuticle area with the MANIPro Passport e-file using the enhancement prepper bit at the slowest speed. After removing dust, apply #1 Dehydrator, and then apply #2 Primer. This acid-free primer helps create a strong bond with the product.

FLIP AND DIP

After applying a thin layer of #3 Adhesive, flip the client’s hand palm up and gently press the finger into the powder. This helps press the polymer particles into the adhesive. Tap the finger to remove excess powder. It takes a short time for the powder to absorb into the adhesive — about the length of time it takes to perform the first dip on the remaining four nails.

When you’re happy with the powder application, add another layer of adhesive. Because the adhesive is so strong and pressing the nail into the powder helps it adhere well, applying another thin layer of adhesive won’t affect the surface layer of powder. After reapplying adhesive, be sure to wipe your brush on your lint-free Soft Landings table towel to remove any remnant of powder stuck to your brush.

The adhesive doesn’t set until it’s cured, so you can re-dip as many times as necessary to ensure even coverage. It’s recommended to cure in the Kupa GelFinity LED/UV Lamp for one minute after three layers of powder and adhesive. If you feel more powder is needed after the first cure, simply apply another layer of adhesive and dip again; however, the solid, pigment heavy powders mean that it doesn’t take too many coats to achieve full coverage in most cases. Long nails will require more than three layers to achieve full thickness. After curing the first three layers in the lamp, apply another layer of adhesive and press into the powder until you reach the correct thickness. Always cure after applying three layers.

When you’re satisfied with your application, gently buff around the edges of the nail until you’re happy with its appearance. You can also use an enhancement prepper bit on a low speed setting to gently clean up the edges. Apply #4 GelFinity Gloss Top Coat or GelFinity Matte Top Coat and cure.

CREATING AN OMBRE

To create an ombre, after applying adhesive, lightly sprinkle TripTych powder over the nail and tap off the excess. It’s best to dip and press into the powder when you’re doing a basic application because this helps achieve a good mix of polymer and adhesive, but it’s necessary to apply by sprinkling when you’re creating an ombre effect. Let the powder soak into the adhesive as you apply powder to the other nails. If you aren’t happy with the evenness of the color, sprinkle another layer of powder before applying another coat of adhesive. To avoid moving the powder when you’re adding the second coat of adhesive, place the adhesive on the nail rather than immediately pulling the brush down over the full nail. When creating an ombre, always start with the lightest color. Rather than applying each color powder to half of the nail, apply the first color to two thirds of the nail, then apply the second color to a little more than a third of the nail so that the colors overlap. This will help achieve the color fade effect.

PERFORMING A FILL

To perform a fill, prep the cuticle area and use an e-file to remove the top coat and reduce thickness. Apply #1 Dehydrator and #2 Primer just around the exposed new growth area. If you’re doing a two-week fill, apply #3 Adhesive and dip the full nail once, being sure to bring the powder right up to the cuticle area. If you’re performing a four-week fill, start by applying powder just to the new growth area on the first dip, reapply adhesive, and then dip the entire nail. Apply #4 Top Coat and cure.

REMOVAL

DipFinity nails can be soaked off in acetone. Like an artificial enhancement, they take a little longer to soak off because they aren’t made with the softer cyanoacrylate. To speed up the process, nail techs can use the MANIPro Passport e-file to reduce thickness before soaking off.

PRO TIP: Try applying Kupa Divinity Clear Powder with the DipFinity system before color dipping. When your client returns, simply use the MANIPro Passport e-file to file down to the clear layer, fill the clear layer as necessary, and apply the new color. Because of the clear acrylic, the filing won’t damage the natural nail, and it saves the time spent soaking in acetone.