My Switch to Dazzle Dry: Why I’ll Never Get a Gel Manicure Again
My Switch to Dazzle Dry: Why I’ll Never Get a Gel Manicure Again
Every time I post about Dazzle Dry on my IG stories I get SO many questions. I, too, had no idea what it was and had just as many questions, so let me answer them and explain why I will never get a gel manicure again.
What IS Dazzle Dry?
It’s a nail system that consists of nontoxic, vegan, long-lasting nail polish that includes a base, color, and top coat. You can buy it online and DIY at home OR you can get it done at select nail salons.
How long does it last?
Just about two weeks for me. THat’s also how long a gel/no-chip manicure lasts for me. Personally, I start picking at it around the 13 day mark because it’s so grown out (gel, too).
So, it’s no-chip?
Nope, it’s a regular nail polish. No UV rays are used (that’s what I hate most about n0-chip). And it comes off with normal nail polish remover at HOME.
Does it cost as much as a no-chip?
At my normal nail salon in the burbs or the city, a no-chip manicure is either $35-40. At the local salon I go to in the suburbs (I love Oak Spa in Winnetka), a Dazzle Dry manicure is $20–only $5 more than their normal manicure. So, basically, it’s a steal.
What’s your go-to color?
The manicurist at my local salon helped me create a color that looks just OPI’s discontinued “Let’s Be Friends” and I love it. One coat “Alluring Charm” and one coat “Prima Ballerina” (it’s pictured above).
Just call your favorite salon and see if they carry it! Dazzle Dry’s website has a list of salons that carry it but I’ve found its super limited and there are way more nail salons with it in stock. Plus, it’s a great way to get out of the house and safely support your local businesses (I have had two manicures since quarantine started and felt very safe each time).
Was looking into Dazzle Dry when you first posted pre quaratine! Do you find when you remove the polish on your own it leaves your nails peeling or weak? That’s my issue with gel, quarentine has helped my nails grow out, but they’re still so weak after years of gel manis!
Not at all! Gel feels so thick in comparison–this feels like normal nail polish so it doesn’t affect my nail strength! I love it so much.
I love love love Dazzle Dry. Iām surprised I donāt hear about it more often! My go to shades are Prima Ballerina and Cashmere Taupe. Thanks for the post!
Iāve been using Dazzle Dry for maybe 5 years now and love it! I often use regular polish too but this definitely lasts!! The DD system works decently with my regular polishes too š
My go to is Peacefully Meāthatās what the DD team suggested as close to Essie Ballet Slippers
Ah, that’s great to know! Thanks š
If I buy some, and take it to a nail spa that has never used it- are there any special instructions? And any recs for where to buy it? Thank you!
hi! it’s a ‘system’ that you can buy directly from the dazzle dry website (base coat, polish, top coat) – so you could definitely bring it to a salon! It’s just like normal polish but lasts much longer.
I love the system & polish but find it a little too pricey with the $7.95 shipping charge for just 1 polish = over $27 . Just wish I could purchase at Ulta or Sephora
Question: Does this nail system harden your nails so they can grow out a bit?? Mine are so weak they break off easily..
I don’t think they harden your nails, BUT it doesn’t weaken them, which I felt like gels tended to do thaht.
My nails are so soft that I have a serious problem with nail polish cracking. Polish tends to chip for me, too, but mostly my issue is the polish cracking and then peeling off. Have you found that it cracks at all?
Thanks!
I’m a qualified nail technician and I can confirm that gel nail services themselves do no harm to the nail plate, it’s how it’s applied and removed that can be damaging.
Great to know!
So happy to come across your review and completely shocked that you mentioned Oak Spa in Winnetka as Iām sitting in their pedicure chair right now! Thanks for your review! Super excited to try dazzle dry !
have fun! tell aimee I said hi!
Feel pretty good after reading your reviews. I got my DD kit 3 weeks ago, and have removed it right away. Must be a learning curve. Iāve read thru the instructions. One wouldnāt think I need to add āReviveā to a new bottle. Anyway… would love to be more positive. Any pointers?
Hi! I have never applied DD myself–only have had it done at the salon that carries it. I am horrible at painting my own nails; my only advice would be to bring it to your favorite salon for application.
I recently purchased the dazzle dry nail system & 1 nail polish! I followed the instructions & the polish chipped on 3 nails after 24 hrs, 1 day! Very disappointed , & I wouldnāt recommend it to anyone, wish I could return the polish & the system!
You should contact them and ask for a refund! I haven’t done a gel in almost two years and I absolutely love DD–it lasts so long for me! However, I can’t do my own nails and have never done it at home–only at the nail salon, so not sure if that makes a difference.
Dazzle dry is amazing!!! Lasts SO long.
I was having trouble with Dazzle Dry .. I thought I followed the instructions on how to apply each step.. Iām a hairstylist in water all day long and the polish would peel off.. very disappointing. I finally called and the representative was very help … she asked me several questions from start to finish in my application. She recommended that I add several drops of Revive to the nail lacquer and top coat. It did seem to make a difference in the application and drying time. So far so good! Thanks for the advise
I did use dazzle dry and what I can attest is that they have some amazing products for all genders and their pricing in really nice for the quality of products they offer
I love using Dazzle Dry. I wish I could find a local salon but I do my own nails. I find my nails are healthier even without polish now (although I seldom go without polish). I actually broke a nail 1/2 way down the nail bed BUT it didn’t break completely and is still being held on by only Dazzle Dry polish (no extra coats or anything) 4 weeks later. Of course when the break reaches the free edge I’ll have to cut the nail off but I am super SUPER pleased with my personal results with using Dazzle Dry.
I love love love dazzle dry. Iām 60 and for most of my life Iāve had beautiful, long, hard nails but in the last year or two theyāve been chipping and soft and they wouldnāt grow out like they used to . My friend referred me to dazzle dry and I have been using it for a few months and my nails are back!! I follow all of their guidelines to a T except I use my own polish. So two coats of their base coat, I do use one coat of transform, two coats of my own polish, two Coats of the topcoat and my nails are bulletproof for two weeks. My nails are super strong after using it for a few months, even when I have no polish on them. And the polish comes off very easily with any remover. I do not use their removerāregular polish or acetone leave my nails completely clean. And the girlfriend that referred me to dazzle dry has been using it for a year or two and her nails have always been very weak and would not grow out. Now that she uses it theyāre beautiful! I should be a commercial for them.
I have used the DD system at salons. The limited number of salons in my area make it difficult to get appointments; yes it is that popular. So I make my next appointment before I leave the salon.
Yes it dries in 5 minutes and my nails do not get chipped when I leave the salon and put my seat belt on to go home.
Yes. The DD system does last me 10-14 days without chipping and I have to get a new DD manicure because the mail growth shows at the cutical area.
My nails are stronger because they are protected by the polish. They look and feel natural because they are.
(PS I am so tired of other salons continually asking why I donāt want gel polish. They want you to get gel because they make more money that way).
I have had gel nails done at a salon for the past 8 years. Prior to that I had the dip which destroyed my nails. When my beloved tech was moving away, I figured I would try the Dazzle Dry I had been hearing do much about.
All I can say is āwow.ā I have watched several YouTube videos on proper application, and I think after several times applying the product I do a pretty good job. Sometimes I would peel off my gel,before my appointment, which was very damaging. Now, if I get tired of my color, I can easily remove with regular nail polish remover. I find I get antsy to change colors after about a week, even though the application still looks good! This stuff is beyond amazing. My own nails are very healthy now. Iām a customer for life.
I have read the frosted colors donāt last as well as the regular colors, so Iām not even going to waste my time trying the shimmers.
I’ve had success with Dazzle Dry, but it’s difficult to know the colors until they arrive. I wish the minis were a bit less expensive so I could test colors more easily that way. Also, it takes a long time for the polishes to arrive.
I only get it done at a salon so I can’t attest to ordering it online, unfortunately.
Hi there. If you follow a natural nail YouTuber – called The Salon Life she does a ton of color swatching on actual nails. Itās been very helpful for me. Also to learn best tips and practices since removing my Dip early Jan. DD is amazing. Iāll never go back to regular polishes !!
Dazzle Dry is the real deal! I had my first experience with the system at an upscale day spa. I couldnāt believe that both times my manicure lasted almost 2 weeks with absolutely no chipping! I just ordered the system to do it at home myself. So far, super happy with the results!
I will agree with you on this point. Not only is Dazzle Dry a healthier choice for your nails, but it’s also budget friendly, often costing just a bit more than a regular manicure. So, give it a try and support local businesses while you’re at it!
I keep getting fungi or dark coloring under my gel nails. I want healthy nails & my nail tech says all polishes are the same. I think DD allows nails to breath. Is this correct?
I started using the product mid-summer 2023, and I loved it at first. But I would notice after 1 week my nail polish began to crack and peel. I did as my manicurist said and did not pick it off. I used new polish remover to remove it from the nails. Eventually, my nails became weak, dry and brittle, peeling and breaking if I happened to bump them against something. I wish I could tell a success story here. I will never say using the product is bad. The convenience was a time saver and my nails looked great, for about 1 week. Maybe I missed a step in the process or something. So for the time being I’m going to take a break from it until I figure out what the problem could be.
I used to be a total gel devotee, but the whole UV lamp thing always freaked me out a bit, and don’t even get me started on the removal process. Removing gel polish felt like chipping away at my actual nails. Join the house of hazards running competition for some humorous fun.