Struggling to decide between OPI dip powder vs SNS dip powder and figure out which brand is better? Both options offer their pros and cons but the main difference between the two is ingredient quality.
Ingredient lists can be hard to understand if you don’t know what to look for. As a rule of thumb, I gravitate toward nail products that are mostly natural and, of course, non-toxic.
I avoid harsh ingredients because they leave my nails stripped, weak, and brittle. Weak nails will leave you prone to breakage and infections. So, I try to steer clear of harsh chemicals in my nail products.
Let’s look into what differentiates OPI dip powder from SNS dip powder.
How is the dip powder process different from acrylics and gel nails?
A dip powder manicure looks similar to acrylic and gel manicures. But the manicure processes is much different.
Acrylic manicure application usually involves nail glue, nail tips, a liquid monomer and polymer powder mixture, and a top coat. For a full breakdown on the key differences between dip and acryclic read more in “Dip vs Acrylic.”
A gel manicure involves using a base coat, gel nail polish, and a topcoat. But, gel manicures need to dry under a UV or LED light so the polish can harden. For more information, check out my post on gel vs dip powder nails.
Dip powder manicures involve a bonder, a base coat, dip powder, an activator, and a topcoat. There is no need for a UV lamp as the activator takes the place of a UV lamp.
What is in dip powder?
Dip powder is finely-ground acrylic with benzoyl peroxide, titanium dioxide, and pigments.
Some companies may add nutrients and other ingredients to their powders, but those are the base ingredients. The powder doesn’t have a strong smell like typical acrylics and sometimes has no discernible scent at all. Dip powders alone are inert and non-toxic.
What is the difference between OPI dip powder vs SNS dip powder?
The biggest difference between these two dip powder brands is the quality of their ingredients. (Something you should pay attention to when buying any beauty products.)
Anything that comes into contact with your body can potentially cause a reaction, including nail products. And of course, nail techs deserve our love and respect too!
To decipher the differences in quality, let’s look at the key features of each brand.
SNS dip powder features
SNS has been around for about 30 years, making them a reliable brand.
They were one of the first to offer a dipping powder system. Their dipping powders offer many great features to keep your nails healthy and keep your manicure looking perfect. Some of the dip powder features include:
- Over 400 colors to choose from
- Bright, brilliant colors
- Easy application
- Almost odorless
- Allergen-free
- Cruelty-free
- Non-toxic
- Vegan
- Nourishing nutrients to keep your natural nails healthy (Nutri-Plus)
- Chip-resistant for at least 14 days, I had an SNS dip manicure last for 5 weeks!
- Trusted brand by many salons
OPI dip powder features
OPI is another brand that has been around for a long time in the nail industry. I’ve been using this brand since I was a kid, so it is a brand that is very familiar to me and many others. But just because it is a well-known brand doesn’t mean it’s the best.
Comparing the two feature lists will help determine that.
OPI has some nice features to their dip powders as well. OPI dip powder features include:
- Odor-free acrylic
- Non-toxic
- Non-damaging
- 105 color options
- Manicure will last for at least two weeks
- Okay, for weak nails
- Easy application
- Trusted brand by salons
Which is better? OPI dip powder or SNS dip powder?
Based on the features of both OPI and SNS dip powders, it seems that SNS is the better option.
SNS clearly states on their website that their dip powders are allergen-free, cruelty-free, vegan, and contain nourishing ingredients. OPI doesn’t mention any of those things.
Not only does SNS dip powder contain safer ingredients, but they also offer more color options. They offer almost 400 more options compared to OPI!
| SNS | OPI | |
| Allergen-free | ✅ | ❌ |
| Non-toxic | ✅ | ✅ |
| Vegan | ✅ | ❌ |
| Cruelty-free | ✅ | ❌ |
| Odorless | ❌ | ✅ |
| Nutrients | ✅ | ❌ |
| Colors | 400+ | 105 |
What dip powder do salons use?
It all depends on the salon. There is no specific brand of powder that nail salons need to use. It is all based on preference. But OPI dip powder seems to be the winner with many salons.
Every nail salon I’ve visited has mostly OPI products, which is understandable as the company has been around longer than SNS and other brands. People tend to trust a company that has been around longer than others.
What brand of dip powder is best?
Overall, SNS dip powder comes out on top. Their product seems much healthier for your body compared to OPI’s dip powder. They have a few features in common, but SNS dipping powder has features that outweigh OPIs.
As far as ingredients go, OPI doesn’t provide much information. But, SNS provides all the information that you need to know.
Read more in our depth review of our favorite nail dip powder kits.
Key takeaways on OPI dip powder vs SNS dip powder
When comparing OPI dip powder vs SNS dip powder, SNS has more benefits for your nails. SNS provides over 400 colors of cruelty, allergen, and toxin-free dip powders.
In addition, the company invests in keeping your nails healthy with their Nutri-Plus formula of vitamins A, B5, calcium, zinc, D3, and E.
While OPI is non-toxic and damage-free, the brand still doesn’t match the standards SNS holds its products to.
If you’re still unsure which brand you’d like to use, try both dip powders out and see which one you think is better. Assess their results and decide from there. Both brands offer at-home nail dipping powder kits and both dip powders will follow the same removal process.
Laura is a beauty expert with 5 years prior experience working in cosmetics and lash salons. When not writing you can find her experimenting with the trending makeup looks, or reading a good book snuggled up with her French Bulldog Max. Laura is currently a contributing writer and Beauty Editor at BeatyStack.