NuGenesis Dip Powder Guide: The 4 Liquids, Application Steps, Troubleshooting and Removal
By Edmond Lin, M1 Nail & Beauty Supply, Markham, Ontario. Last updated 8 October 2026. Steps, times and jar weights are taken from NuGenesis's own instructions.
NuGenesis dip powder is applied with four numbered liquids, in order: Prep Liquid #1, Base Gel #2, Activator Liquid #3 and Super Shine Finish Gel #4. The system air-dries, so no UV or LED lamp is used at any step. Most problems salons run into, such as a finish that stays tacky or a brush that goes hard, come from the order and timing of steps 3 and 4.
In this guide
What each NuGenesis liquid does
| Step | Liquid | What it does | Timing, per NuGenesis | Sizes at M1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prep Liquid #1 | Takes oil and moisture off the nail so the base gel bonds | Dries in at least 30 seconds; allow a full minute in humid weather | 0.5 oz, 2 oz refill |
| 2 | Base Gel #2 | The bonding coat the powder sticks to | Dries in under 10 seconds, so dip straight away | 0.5 oz, 2 oz refill |
| 3 | Activator Liquid #3 | Hardens the base gel and powder layers; lets the finish gel dry | About 30 seconds after the last dip; about 20 seconds, then wipe, before the finish gel | 0.5 oz, 2 oz refill |
| 4 | Super Shine Finish Gel #4 | The air-dry top coat | Two coats, then 2 minutes to dry with no fan | 0.5 oz, 2 oz refill |
| Care | Brush Cleaner | Softens brushes that have gone hard | Soak for at least 15 minutes | 0.5 oz |
How to apply one colour on natural nails
- Prep. Push back and remove the cuticle, take the shine off the nail, shape with a 180-grit file and brush off the dust. Apply Prep Liquid #1 to all ten nails.
- Natural Base. One nail at a time, brush a thin coat of Base Gel #2 on about 60% of the nail and dip once into Natural Base. Tap off the excess, then brush away loose powder with a soft brush.
- Colour. Apply Base Gel #2 to about 80%% of the nail and dip into the colour. Tap and brush off. Repeat twice more, with the base gel now covering the whole nail.
- Seal and activate. Brush a thin coat of Base Gel #2 over all ten nails, then apply Activator Liquid #3.
- Shape. File with a 180-grit file, buff smooth and brush off the dust. Apply Activator #3 again.
- Finish. Have the client wash their hands. Wipe the nails with a dry lint-free wipe and apply two coats of Super Shine Finish Gel #4. Let it air-dry for 2 minutes, then apply cuticle oil.
Dip slowly and at a 45-degree angle. NuGenesis notes that pushing the finger into the powder or moving quickly makes a wave in the base gel, which shows as a wrinkle in the finished nail.
How to do pink and white (French)
- Prep as above and apply Prep Liquid #1.
- Base Gel #2 on about 80% of the nail, then one dip into Natural Base.
- Fill a French dip jar with French White. Apply Base Gel #2 to the whole nail, dip the tip into the jar and hold for 2 to 3 seconds to set the smile line. Tap off, then dip the whole nail once into Crystal Pink.
- Repeat the French White and Crystal Pink dips once, matching the first smile line.
- Apply Base Gel #2 to the whole nail and dip once into Crystal Clear.
- Finish as for one colour: Activator #3, shape and buff, Activator #3 again, wash and wipe, two coats of Finish Gel #4.
NuGenesis jar sizes and powder weights
| Jar | Powder weight, per NuGenesis | At M1 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 oz | 22 g | Not stocked |
| 2 oz | 43 g | All colours, such as NU150 I'm In Love |
| 4 oz | 100 g | Pink & White powders, such as Crystal Clear 4 oz |
| 16 oz | 454 g | Pink & White powders, such as Crystal Clear 16 oz |
Troubleshooting: what NuGenesis says
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Finish gel will not dry | Activator #3 was skipped before the finish gel, or the first coat was too thick | After filing, apply Activator #3 to all ten nails and wipe off the excess. Make the first coat of finish gel thin |
| Finish is dull, frosted or wrinkled | A fan was used, the coat was too thin or uneven, or only one coat was applied | Air-dry for 2 minutes with no fan. Apply two coats with as few strokes as possible |
| Lifting after a few days | Cuticle or moisture left on the nail, or product touching the skin | Remove shine and cuticle with a fine sanding band or 180-grit buffer. Use Prep #1. Leave a hairline gap at the cuticle |
| Brush has gone hard | Loose powder carried back into the bottle, or the brush touched wet activator | Brush powder off after every dip. Let Activator #3 dry about 20 seconds and wipe before the finish gel. Soak the brush in Brush Cleaner |
| Base gel has thickened or gone hard | Powder in the bottle, or the bottle left open | Wipe the brush on a paper towel after use and close the cap about three-quarters of the way |
| Cap is stuck | Gel dried on the bottle neck, or the cap closed too tight | Clean the neck with acetone after each client. Do not force a stuck cap: NuGenesis warns the glass can break |
| Splotchy or uneven colour | Base gel applied too thick or too slowly, or powder left on before activating | Use more thin coats rather than fewer thick ones, work quickly and brush off powder after each dip |
How to remove NuGenesis dip powder
- Fastest: use a coarse bit to take off about 70% of the product. Wrap each nail in cotton soaked in 100% acetone and foil, and wait 5 to 10 minutes. Wipe off what is left with acetone.
- Without filing: wrap each nail in acetone-soaked cotton and foil and wait 20 to 30 minutes, then wipe off the residue.
- Shape and buff the natural nail with a 180-grit file and buffer, and finish with cuticle oil.
Common questions
Does NuGenesis dip powder need a UV or LED lamp?
No. NuGenesis states that the process is self-drying and designed to be used without UV light. The finish gel dries in the air once Activator #3 has been applied.
How long does a NuGenesis dip manicure last?
NuGenesis says 2 to 4 weeks, depending on how fast the natural nail grows.
Can NuGenesis dip powder be filled instead of removed?
NuGenesis does not recommend fills. Its reason is that lifted areas are almost impossible to remove fully under coloured powder, which raises the risk of infection.
How many coats of powder are needed?
NuGenesis suggests two to four coats, depending on how thickly the base gel is applied. Several thin coats give a more even surface than a few thick ones.
Can I refill a generic bottle from the 2 oz refill?
NuGenesis advises refilling its own 0.5 oz bottles only. In its words, generic bottles leave too much product on the brush and let in air, so the liquid hardens.
Where can I buy NuGenesis dip powder in Canada?
M1 Nail & Beauty Supply in Markham, Ontario stocks NuGenesis colours in the 2 oz jar, the Pink & White powders up to 16 oz and all four liquids, with pickup or shipping across Canada. See the NuGenesis range at M1.
Every NuGenesis colour, Pink & White powder and dip liquid M1 has in stock.
Shop NuGenesisApplication steps, drying times, troubleshooting advice, removal times and jar weights are NuGenesis's own, taken from nugenesisnails.com in October 2026. For professional use. Do not apply dip powder over broken or inflamed skin.
