Different Types of Manicures

A manicure is an elegant beauty treatment for hands and nails that typically includes filing and shaping nails, cuticle oil treatment, hand massage and polish application.

Today there is a wide variety of manicure options to choose from. Let us walk you through them all so you can select the one best suited to your needs.

Basic Manicure

Basic manicures can help keep your nails in top condition and help them grow stronger over time. A nail technician will trim, shape and buff the nails before pushing back cuticles with nail buffer. In addition, they’ll apply base coat, color polish and top coat before giving a hand massage at the end. Regular basic manicures can help strengthen and condition nails for stronger growth!

Gel manicures are among the most popular types of manicures. Cures under UV or LED lights allow these long-wearing manicures to stay shiny and long-term; however, removal can be challenging and could leave nails looking brittle over time. Therefore it’s recommended to get them removed professionally instead of trying it yourself at home (doing it yourself can lead to bacteria growth between nail and polish and cause lasting damage to nails).

Hard gel manicures are becoming increasingly popular. This form of nail art uses thicker polish that’s cured under UV lights to produce similar effects as Shellac manicures but with reduced damage. A hard gel manicure typically lasts three weeks with some techs layering soft and hard gels together for longer-lasting effects.

French Manicure

The French manicure is a timeless classic beloved by women for its elegance and ease. Made famous by high fashion icons and celebrity figures alike, this look features white tips that accent natural-looking nail color bases; typically painted a soft baby pink shade for optimal effect, though some stylists use creamy white or clear nail polish as tips instead.

Nail artists typically use stencils for base coat application and individual brushes for tips. Some manicure kits provide handy stencils so that women can recreate this look at home; professional nail artists may also paint French manicures freehand or follow a pre-designed guide like those found on nail art stamps.

People are increasingly venturing away from traditional French manis and exploring alternative colors and designs, like an ombre French manicure wherein colours blend rather than have distinct lines; for instance, one could paint red, blue, purple or green nail plates before topping it off with white polish at the tips.

Home DIYing the ombre trend is straightforward. Apply a light base coat, allow it to dry, then use a separate nail brush to apply white polish onto the tip of each fingernail in a criss-cross motion – ready!

American Manicure

American manicures are distinguished by their subtle, natural aesthetic. Instead of featuring stark white tips, American manicures incorporate more natural hues that blend in with the nail’s nude or pink shade – mimicking more polished versions of unadorned natural nails; ideal for everyday wear as well as more formal occasions (such as attending an elite party or world ceremony).

Celebrity manicurist Lisa Kon, known for working on clients like Hailey Bieber and Kylie Jenner, says that American manicure is increasingly popular at her Los Angeles salon due to allowing clients to go longer between salon visits. According to Lisa, its natural look suits anyone with shorter nails while its more subtle ombre color on the tip helps cover any outgrowths more easily, she adds.

To create this look at home, begin with a clear base coat and paint on a white tip using natural-looking shades that match your skin tone for the rest of the nail. Complete it all off by applying clear top coat to seal in the look – for optimal results moisturize your cuticles daily to avoid dryness and peeling of nails!