Product Reviews Rated 2.19 out of 5 stars
75 Reviews
Most Helpful Positive Review This is a good product. I purchased the product about 2 months ago. I read articles and reviews and watched videos about how to apply acrylic nail powder-tips and tricks BEFORE I attempted my first application. I have thin weak nails, that would bend and break. Previously, I went to a nail salon about every three weeks to have acrylics put on my nails. I have the Red Carpet base, acrylic powder, activator, top coat and brush softener. I have not had to use the brush softener yet.
I was hoping to strengthen my natural nails, allowing them to grow a natural length. I have had great results using this product. It takes about 20 minutes to strengthen my nails, start to finish. I have only used the pink or the clear acrylic powder, and do not apply a polish, other than the top coat. My nails look natural, and are not too thick. The product gives them enough strength to let them grow. I recommend a small make up brush-to lightly dust off excess acrylic powder once nails are set. I also recommend cleaning nails, brushes, and bottle thread with a lens wipe. (I usually use two eyeglass lens wipes per application) I also recommend working quickly and applying thin layers of base coat and acrylic powder.
I have probably done my nails 10 times, and all bottles still work perfectly, and brushes are the same as when I received them. I also use a nail buffer and good nail fiiles. This product is worth the money and I am happy with the results. I will purchase this again.
Most Helpful Critical Review Not the best but there's no other option at Ulta Overall, the kit is great for getting a powder dip at home. But this is the only kit I've ever used, so I'm sure that skews my viewpoint. This is my first time buying a replacement bottle for the Top Coat. It took probably 4 manicures for the Top Coat to get gooey and thick and basically the bottle wouldn't open anymore. The whole kit, just like anything, takes some practice and getting used to. I agree with some that it can shows up bumpy and also it can sometimes look dull. The company should DEFINITELY make improvements to this formula. But in the end, it makes my nails look nice after buffing and a couple coats of the Top Coat. They won't ever look as perfect as salon nails, but they are a good enough substitute IMO if you are trying to save money/busy with 2 small kids like I am. I wonder if you could put regular nail polish Top Coat as a final layer for that extra shine? Will try that and see.
Reviewed by 75 customers 1st timer - Major Disappointment 1
OBBY from Grandville, MI
I usually go to the Nail Salon for my Dip but was intrigued to try this..
This top coat peels up / dries really bizarre. I buffed it, smoothed it out, reapplied activator, waited and reapplied the Top Coat.
Same results. I have one hand I painted with nail polish and one hand with Dip that's a visual mess.
Thankfully for Ulta 60 day return policy!
So much better than others! 5
Marilyn from Columbia, SC
I've used other "at home" dip powder kits. I'd always getting annoyed because they'd chip or crack within 48 hours. I was better off just painting my nails and dealing with those chips. I decided to try this brand from ulta before I gave up and I'm so glad I did! My nails now DO last without cracking at least two weeks, just as if I had them done at the salon! Just keep in mind, it does take practice and these products aren't like normal nail polish.
Not Great 3
Gabby from Wisconsin
I bought the starter kit that contains a smaller version of this product. I was goin to add the 2nd coat and the brush had already dried together. It hadn't been left out in the air (the smaller bottle/brush in the kit meant I had to dip it after every nail). Luckily the kit comes with brush cleaner but it was still annoying.
Great look and easy! 4
Kblaz from Michigna
I am new to this but have now done it around 4 times. My nails last a minimum of a week (this is the case even when I go get them done). They are easy to take off if I want to change the color. My nails seem to be stronger. The top coat brush gets hard sometimes but they do provide extra brushes and a brush softener solution.
Not good 1
Sam from California
It becomes matte and rough even after it's dried. It doesn't leave the nail smooth at all
Just don't 1
Experienced DIY nail dipper from Texas
I've been doing my own nails since before Covid started, so well over a year. I normally buy online via other retailers but was excited to see this when shopping in Ulta. I've bought this twice thinking the first time was user error. (Should've read the reviews first.) I don't understand how you make such a bad dip solution. (Their powders are good but that's it) The top coat turns hard immediately even after waiting FOREVER to be sure the activator is dry. It's also highly temperamental and doesn't always dry completely clear or shiny. The base coat gets gooey after the first use. (I'm sure to close it between coats as well). The brush softener you can buy does nothing, btw. I'll be returning my second purchase because it's just a terrible product and I've wasted enough money trying to give them the benefit of the doubt even.
Highly Disappointed 1
Casey from Pennsylvania
Just bought this top coat at Ulta. I am highly disappointed. I did all my nails and opened my brand new top coat and it was solid goo!
Worst 1
Top coat dip from Wooster
I have bought 3 of these over the last couple of months...It gets hard before the second coat. It doesn't matter if you wait hours in between this and the activator. Terrible product, expensive and a waste.
The shine is unbelievable!! 5
Manda from Montgomery TX
Y'all the shine and quick dry is amazing. Most of the time just when I think my top coat is dry I do something to smudge it But this dried quick with a high gloss shine!!
Don't buy 1
Sabrina from Huntington Beach
This is the second time that I have purchased this product. After painting my first nail the brush was already hard as a rock and I couldn't even finish painting my first hand. It did it the first time, and I thought maybe it was a bad bottle so I bought another one a few months later and the same thing happened. I will be returning. Don't waste your money.
Good, but only for one use 2
Sophia from Missouri
I used the top coat one time and it worked okay. The brush started to harden and eventually it fell off. Later I tried to open the bottle, but it was glued shut.
Unable to open after 4 manicures 2
Sarah from Phoenix
I purchased the full kit about 2 months ago. Since then I have done my nails about every 2 weeks (total of 4 manicures) The top coat has been the worst of my problems. It has degraded to the point I can no longer open it. For the last couple uses, I have had to utilize a wrench in order to get enough leverage to open the bottle. I have used the "remover" to take off any excess super glue on the edges for upkeep. The same story can be applied to the base coat but at least that one can still be opened with a wrench... for now
top gets glued shut 2
jamie from ny
cant even get through a full bottle ... top gets glued shut and wont open
Best top coat for dip nail 5
st3phj11 from Decatur, AL
I've used a few other top coats for dip nail manicures and they dry dull and/or take so long to dry. This one is exactly the opposite. I love it and will buy again.
not the best.... 4
Dewstew from 92503
reading the reviews and after noticing most of the reviews are bad due to user error i decided to buy the kit and try it for myself. overall it was a good product but not the best. If its your first time i suggest cleaning your brushes and warching a few videos before you take the plunge. Make sure u wait long enough forevery layer to dry. Waiting on these to go on sale again to stock up!
Dip Top Coat is terrible! 2
Reese13 from Albuquerque, NM
I'm on the second bottle of top coat because the brush will dry and become hard half way through painting my nails. I thought maybe the first bottle was just bad and the second one I bought was worse!
It made my nails very bumpy, like there were littles bubbles 2
Jackie from Calabash, NC
I used it as a top coat on my nails which were dipped polish.
I love this stuff! 5
Stef from Centennial Colorado
I love this stuff. I have read all the reviews and I've had the opposite experience. I would recommend watching the YouTube tutorial on how to use and if you're patient and follow the directions it works wonderfully. It stays on my nails for about 2.5 weeks without chipping and comes off with the gel nail polish remover. I'm addicted.
Love it!! 5
Jessica from Rockwall, Texas
Works great!! Just follow the instructions, it's super easy and my nails look so good! So much better that's going to a nail salon and paying $40 for dip nails when now I can do on my own!
Smelly 1
Jen from PA
I opened the bottle and used it on my nails. The smell burned my eyes. It took my smooth shiny nails to looking like I used a bristle brush on my nails. My thumb nail has clumps. I just bought this bottle an hour and half ago, and I'm so disappointed. From the reviews I probably won't be able to use it again anyway.
smells like super glue 3
beauty queen from 78660
I'm convinced this is just super glue. The brush becomes hardened way too fast to where you can brush this on to your nails. most times I just avoid this step all together and just leave my nails with a matte look instead.
Top Coat 3
My from las Vegas
I Cant get the top open. The bottle is full but the top is glued shut SMH. would be a cool concept if I could use the top coat more then one time
Deserves NO STARS 1
Rachel from Pennsylvania
Dried before I could apply second coat. Also when I tried to break it up, the bristles completely fell apart. Waste of my money. WORST PURCHASE EVER. (Only one star because I can't submit no stars)
Top glued shut 1
Leah from Newington, NH
I've gone through so many of these because the top glues shut so you can't open it after about two uses. I only kept buying it because it's the only kind they have in store.
Terrible! Dried out fast. 1
Naomi from Bloomington
I got this thinking in would complete my set of red carpet dip products so I was really looking forward to using it. As soon as I opened the bottle, the brush itself was super sticky and looked like it had dried glue on it. I honestly think this is just nail glue with the name "top coat" on it. The smell was super strong. I got another brush to try and the first stroke was very clumpy. I returned this product. Not worth the money at all, you're better off using a regular top coat.