Notpolish 2-in-1 Powder: Dip or Acrylic? How to Use One Jar Both Ways
By Edmond Lin, M1 Nail & Beauty Supply, Markham, Ontario. Last updated 8 October 2026. Product facts are taken from Notpolish's own product pages and from the labels of the products we stock.
Notpolish OG and M powders are 2-in-1: one jar works as a dip powder with the four Dip-It liquids, or as an acrylic powder with EMA monomer and a brush. Neither method needs a UV or LED lamp. The powder is the same in both cases; what changes is the liquid, the tools and how much length and structure you can build.
In this guide
Dip or acrylic: what changes with the same jar
| As dip powder | As acrylic powder | |
|---|---|---|
| Liquid | Four Dip-It liquids: Bond, Base, Activator, Mirror Shine | EMA Liquid Monomer |
| Tools | The brushes in the bottles, a dust brush, file and buffer | Acrylic brush (#12, #14 or #16), dappen dish, file and buffer |
| Lamp | None | None |
| Best for | Colour and strength over the natural nail or a tip | Sculpted length, shape and structure on forms or tips |
| Smell | Low | Monomer smell; Neutralizer drops reduce it |
The four Dip-It liquids
| Step | Liquid | What it does, per Notpolish | Sizes at M1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bond | Goes on the nail first, before any base or powder | 15 ml, 8 oz refill |
| 2 | Base | Makes the nail sticky so the dip powder adheres | 15 ml, 8 oz refill |
| 3 | Activator | Applied after the base and powder; it makes the powder harden | 15 ml, 8 oz refill |
| 4 | Mirror Shine | The finishing coat, applied after the nail has been dipped and activated | 15 ml, 8 oz refill |
All four are cyanoacrylate-based (Notpolish lists Ethyl 2-Cyanoacrylate and Polymethyl Methacrylate), which is why they air-dry. Close each bottle right after use and wipe the neck, or the liquid thickens.
How to use Notpolish powder as dip
- Prep. Push back the cuticle, take the shine off the nail with a buffer, and brush away the dust.
- Bond. Brush Dip-It Step 1 Bond over the nail.
- Base and dip. Brush on a thin coat of Dip-It Step 2 Base and dip the nail into the powder. Tap off the excess and brush away loose powder. Repeat until you have the coverage you want.
- Activate. Brush Dip-It Step 3 Activator over the powder so the layers harden.
- Shape. File and buff the nail smooth, then brush off the dust.
- Finish. Apply Dip-It Step 4 Mirror Shine for the gloss.
Notpolish does not publish wait times between these steps on its product pages, so this guide does not give any. Follow the timing on the bottle labels.
How to use Notpolish powder as acrylic
- Prep the nail as for dip, and apply a tip or form if you are adding length.
- Pour a little EMA Liquid Monomer into a dappen dish. Notpolish lists it as a low-odor EMA monomer with no MMA.
- Pick up a bead. Wet the brush in the monomer, wipe one side on the dish, and touch the tip to the powder.
- Place and shape. Set the bead on the nail and press and guide it into place. Build the apex with a second bead if needed.
- File once the acrylic has set, then buff and finish with a top coat such as Gloss-It if you want a gel shine.
Notpolish says its monomer and powders are formulated to be used together to avoid yellowing. Monomer is flammable: keep it capped and work in a ventilated room.
Powder sizes at M1
| Jar | Which shades | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 2 oz | Every OG and M colour | OG102 Nude Panther |
| 4 oz | Clear, Nude Panther, Natural, Dark Pink | Nude Panther 4 oz |
| 22 oz | Clear, White, Black, Milky White, Nude Panther, Natural, Light Pink, Dark Pink | OG01 Clear, OG101 Milky White, Nude Panther 22 oz |
The matching Gel Duo, and which Notpolish gels are HEMA-free
A Notpolish code names the colour, not the product. OG102 Nude Panther is the powder; Gel Duo OG102 Nude Panther is a gel polish and a regular lacquer in the same shade. A salon can therefore offer one colour as dip, acrylic, gel or regular polish.
| Line | HEMA | Lamp |
|---|---|---|
| Gel Duo (gel polish) | Contains HEMA: hydroxyethyl methacrylate is in the ingredient list | UV/LED, 30 seconds per Notpolish |
| SOLO Gel | Labelled HEMA-free and TPO-free | UV/LED |
| Hard Builder Gel | Labelled HEMA-free | UV/LED |
| 2-in-1 powders | Not a gel; no HEMA claim is made either way | None |
Common questions
Can every Notpolish powder be used for both dip and acrylic?
The OG and M colour powders are sold as 2-in-1, so yes for those. The ST series, such as ST10 Magic Dust, is loose reflective glitter meant as a topper over another colour, not a base powder.
Do I need a UV or LED lamp for Notpolish powder?
No. The Dip-It liquids and acrylic both set in the air. A lamp is only needed if you finish with a gel top coat or use the Gel Duo, SOLO Gel or builder gel.
Is the powder the same colour as the Gel Duo?
It carries the same code and name, and Notpolish sells them as a matching set. As with any brand, a powder and a gel can read slightly differently on the nail, so swatch both before promising a client an exact match.
Does Notpolish monomer contain MMA?
No, according to Notpolish: it describes its liquid monomer as made with ethyl methacrylate (EMA) and free of methyl methacrylate (MMA).
Is Notpolish gel HEMA-free?
Only some lines. SOLO Gel is labelled HEMA-free and TPO-free and Hard Builder Gel is labelled HEMA-free. The gel in the Gel Duos lists HEMA among its ingredients.
Where can I buy Notpolish in Canada?
M1 Nail & Beauty Supply in Markham, Ontario stocks the OG and M powders, the Gel Duos, SOLO Gel, the Dip-It liquids and the monomer, with pickup or shipping across Canada. See the Notpolish range at M1.
Every Notpolish powder, Gel Duo and liquid M1 has in stock.
Shop NotpolishWhat each product does, cure times, ingredients and the EMA and HEMA statements are Notpolish's own, taken from notpolish.com and product labels in October 2026. The application steps are standard salon practice arranged around those product descriptions. For professional use.
