Gone are the days of overspending and sitting in a salon for over an hour just to get beautiful nails. You can enjoy salon-worthy results for a fraction of the price, all from the comfort of your home! You just need our gel nails or nail wraps.
Polish Pops is the #1 choice for the manicure in minutes, with results lasting 14+ days in some cases. They’re so easy to use, too, even if you’ve never done your own mani at home before! The application/removal process is chemical free and we keep our formulations clean.
But, we’re constantly asked how our products compare to the other guys - like Dashing Diva. So, we’ve decided to create this Polish Pops vs Dashing Diva comparison post to show you where we have an edge!
The truth is, though, it’s pretty hard to be unbiased in comparing Dashing Diva vs Polish Pops. We’ll do our best to show you the biggest differences below, but we think our customers who have tried both can tell you a whole lot better than we can:
“Very cute design. Since switching from Dashing Diva to Polish Pops my gel strips last longer with no chips, lifts, or breaks. I'm definitely hooked on these now.”
“I really prefer PP, they’re thicker and feel better to work with (way easier application) and I’ve had fewer issues with lifting. I also love supporting a woman-owned business. DD has more colors/designs but I’ve found the quality to be super inconsistent. Definitely try PP so you can compare and see what works best for you and your nails.”
“I'm new to Polish Pops. This is my third pair. I had been using gel nail strips for 6 months from Dashing Diva.... And let me tell you, Polish Pops are 10× better. No lift, no breaks or chips, and they last 2+weeks. And this color is absolutely gorgeous. The pictures really do not do it justice. I can officially say I am hooked!”
The key takeaway is Polish Pops lasts longer, looks better, and allows you to support a women-owned business. What more could you ask for? Discover the difference for yourself - try our nail kit today and see what the hype is all about.
Overview of Polish Pops
Our brand was born when our female founder decided enough was enough - no more choosing between expensive salon visits and lackluster at-home manicures. She decided to create the solution she so desperately craved, but couldn’t find anywhere online.
Polish Pops was born to rescue you from polish spills, chipped tips, and those “why did I just spend $80 at the salon?” moments. We make traditional polish wraps and gel wraps that give you the salon-quality manicure you want without the learning curve, mess, or damage.
Think of it as the best parts of a gel manicure, but wrapped up (literally) in a quick, no-drama routine you can do on your couch. Our semi-cured gel strips are definitely our most popular product. They’re made from real gel, partially cured so it stays flexible until you lock it in with a 60-second cure under a mini UV lamp.
The result? A glossy, chip-resistant finish that actually lasts 10-14 days. No dry time, smudging, or nail sadness. Removal’s just as easy: a little cuticle oil and a gentle lift, and you’re done.
We’re also proud to be vegan, cruelty-free, and 14-free so you don’t have to compromise on your values to get a stunning manicure at home - or stress about what weird chemicals you’re putting on your body.
And because we listen to our community, our designs don’t feel like an afterthought - they feel like the nails you’ve been waiting for. From clean neutrals to playful seasonal sets, you’ll find something that matches your vibe and your schedule.
Polish Pops is all about effortless beauty that doesn’t compromise on quality - or your nail beds.
Overview of Dashing Diva
Dashing Diva is one of the biggest names in the at-home nail game, and it’s easy to see why. The company has been around for more than a decade now as a DIY beauty brand, and has earned quite a loyal following over the years.
But Dashing Diva offers a whole lot more than just nail wraps. You gain access to press-ons and even traditional nail polish and gel polish for when you want to do things the old-fashioned way. Personally, we prefer to keep things simpler! Why work harder when you could work smarter?
At any rate, the Dashing Diva Glaze line is the closest comparison to Polish Pops. These semi-cured gel strips require a lamp to set and promise up to 14 days of wear.
Then there’s Gloss, their no-lamp gel polish strip line - just peel, stick, and go. And if you’re in full “get me out the door in five minutes” mode, their Magic Press press-on nails are pre-designed sets that apply in seconds.
Dashing Diva goes bold and broad from a design perspective, with a library of styles covering everything from classic French tips to funky patterns, holiday themes, and even licensed collabs.
Pricing is accessible, and the brand is sold online and in stores like Target, which makes them easy to find. But, some of the reviews we’ve read through as we started creating this Polish Pops vs Dashing Diva comparison revealed some pretty stark differences.
For one, these nail wraps can be prone to lifting or chipping a bit earlier than some people would like. There seem to be some inconsistencies noted by those who have been shopping with Dashing Diva for years, too. Let’s take a closer look at Dashing Diva vs Polish Pops below.
Polish Pops vs Dashing Diva: Which Brand is Right For Your Next DIY Manicure?
Just like in our comparison of Polish Pops vs Color Street, we want to make it clear that Dashing Diva does some things really well. We love how many different products they offer, as there’s quite literally something for everyone, even people who still prefer traditional polish/gel.
However, we have far too many reviews from people who made the switch from Dashing Diva to Polish Pops to ignore the elephant in the room: customers love how much longer our nails last and the easier application process, the look, and overall feel of their nails.
Ultimately, the only way to know for sure which you prefer between Polish Pops vs Dashing Diva is to try our products side by side. That said, we feel pretty confident you’ll never look back once you make the upgrade to Polish Pops!
Product Composition and Technology
We’re not going to compare all our different product offerings side by side. We’d be here all day. Instead, we’ll just look at our semi-cured gel nail options to see which is the better option.
One of the key principles of Polish Pops is clean beauty. Our semi-cured wraps are made from actual gel polish - not just plastic with a glossy finish. More importantly, though, the formula is 14-free, vegan, cruelty-free, and designed for damage-free removal.
These wraps cure under a UV lamp in just 60 seconds, hardening to a high-gloss, salon-like finish. They’re built for people who care just as much about what goes on their nails as how it looks.
Unfortunately, there are a few red flags we see in looking at Dashing Diva’s ingredient list. These are a few that stood out to us that we personally wouldn’t put on our nails:
- Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET): A microplastic with environmental concerns and potential skin irritation risks.
- Aluminum Powder: A metallic pigment that can contain trace heavy metals like lead or arsenic, which may build up in the body over time
- Synthetic Fluorphlogopite: A lab-made alternative to mica, used for sparkle. While safer than mined mica (which has ethical and contamination issues), it's still synthetic.
- FD&C Dyes: These synthetic colorants are derived from petroleum or coal tar sources and have been linked to allergic reactions and skin sensitivity.
- Acrylates Copolymer / Crosspolymer: These plastic-based binders help with adhesion but can contain residual monomers or formaldehyde-releasing agents from the polymerization process.
Not only are these ingredients questionable, but one common theme we saw in user reviews is the formulation just feels thinner compared to Polish Pops. This gets into some of the durability concerns, which we’ll cover in a moment.
Application and Removal Process
Be clear, both Polish Pops and Dashing Diva are so easy to apply - like, way easier than traditional nail polish. You’ll have a pretty similar process to follow either way.
Each Polish Pops wrap is put on a clean, prepped nail, pressed into place, trimmed, and then cured under the included mini UV lamp. You’re done after a quick file. Removal is just as easy: add cuticle oil and gently lift with the included wooden stick. No acetone, soaking, or damage.
Dashing Diva’s Glaze wraps aren’t all that different. Clean, press, trim, and cure. The only difference comes down to the removal process, since the brand says you need to use its proprietary "Magic Off" remover - or, you’ll have to soak in acetone.
The Magic Press and Gloss lines are easier to remove, but this comes at the cost of shorter wear time and less secure adhesion. At the end of the day this is a bit of a wash in comparing Polish Pops vs Dashing Diva - you’re getting an upgrade from your traditional approach!
Durability and Longevity
Now, this is where you’ll notice more of a difference between Dashing Diva vs Polish Pops. At least, in real-world use. Dashing Diva says their semi-cured gel strips last 14 days, just like ours.
But customer reviews suggest that the timeline may be a bit optimistic. While there are plenty of customers saying their DIY mani lasted 2 weeks or longer, here’s what we are seeing in reviews specifically comparing Polish Pops vs Dashing Diva in terms of staying power:
“I had been using DashingDiva for the last few months but decided to try PolishPops. The first pair lasted all 2 weeks with no lifts, cracks, or chips. And I'm a tractor-trailer shuttle driver, so for any nails the last 2 weeks really says something. With Dashing Diva the edges would lift up and get caught in my hair after a couple days. These did not lift whatsoever. I'm definitely going to be buying from here from now on.”
“I’ve used Dashing Diva for a few years now and liked them but they would chip quicker than I’d like. My PP application isn’t perfect yet but I’ve ordered plenty of sets to keep practicing. So far I think they are great. They appear to be very high quality. I can’t wait to see how well they hold up! Love the fact that PP has their own top coat. I’m going to try that on my next application also! I’m really excited about PP!!!!”
“Not ONE of my purchases from this brand has disappointed me. Compared to Ohora and Dashing Diva, I find that it lasts better, doesn't lift after 10 days to grab hair and just the overall quality is better. 10/10, always.”
Now, you should always take user reviews with a grain of salt - we can’t speak to how the nail strips were applied, how they were stored, etc. But it’s hard to ignore the growing trend of people switching to Polish Pops for longer-lasting nails!
Design Variety and Aesthetic Appeal
We want to give credit where it’s due - Dashing Diva wins on sheer volume, with a catalog that’s vast and constantly rotating in seasonal drops, trendy collabs, and everything from bold metallics to soft nudes. Whether you want minimalist or maximalist, they probably have it.
There are tons of styles to choose from here at Polish Pops as well, but we like to keep things a bit more curated rather than overwhelm you with 200 options. This way, it’s easy to find a style that speaks to you without filtering through 20+ pages of similar styles.
We also really like to gain inspiration from our community and introduce new designs they came up with! You’ll always find a nice range of elegant finishes and modern, wearable styles no matter your preferences.
Pricing and Value
You’ll also notice differences in cost when comparing Polish Pops vs Dashing Diva, but we want to differentiate between price and value. The key takeaway here is you get what you pay for!
Dashing Diva is typically more affordable across the board. Many of their Glaze designs retail for $12, and their Gloss and Magic Press options can be even cheaper. They’re widely available in major retailers as well so you can save on shipping and find them local sometimes.
In contrast, our semi-cured gel strips are priced at $16 - but think about the dramatic differences in ingredient quality and staying power between Polish Pops vs Dashing Diva and it’s clear you’re getting better value for the money.
The wraps just feel more premium with a thicker layer over your nail, and you can feel good about spoiling yourself knowing you’re supporting a women-owned, vegan, and cruelty-free brand.
Wrapping Up Our Dashing Diva vs Polish Pops Comparison
At the end of the day, both Dashing Diva and Polish Pops offer fun, DIY-friendly nail solutions - but the differences are obvious in terms of ingredient quality, durability, and value for the money.
You’re getting a smarter alternative to gel nails either way, but there is a clear edge in favor of Polish Pops vs Dashing Diva. Don’t just take our word for it, either:
“Love, love, love Polish Pops. It’s super easy, convenient and definitely high quality. Before I was using Dashing Diva’s which ruined my nails. I can’t rave enough about this company and their products 💗💗💗”
“I've been using dashing diva for the last 6 months But I just got so tired of them taking so long to deliver. I got this pair 4 days after I ordered and they are so cute. I also like how the gel is more flexible and I can put them on my fingers better. I love this design.”
“I love these!! The colors l have got from you are absolutely gorgeous! Thank you! I recommend you to everyone! Much better than Dashing Diva, and ship quickly.”
All of this is to say you won’t be the first person to choose Polish Pops over Dashing Diva, and you certainly won’t be the last. Discover the difference firsthand by placing your order today!v
