Different Types of Manicures

An appropriate manicure can quickly enhance your beauty and underscore your individual style, but selecting the appropriate type for you requires more consideration than just nail polish color and shape.

No matter your manicure goals – be they relaxation or durability – there is a manicure technique designed specifically to meet them. Read on to gain knowledge on all of the available techniques!

Basic

An essential treatment, most people are familiar with a basic manicure: your nails will be trimmed and shaped, cuticle oil applied and you will enjoy a relaxing hand massage before finishing up with your choice of nail polish.

Maintaining healthy nails requires scheduling regular manicures to maintain a strong appearance and feel. This is especially important if your job requires the use of gloves on an ongoing basis.

But that doesn’t have to mean spending an arm and a leg at a salon; there are various types of manicures that offer similar nourishing benefits without breaking the bank – these options include:

Gel

As its name implies, this manicure features gel nail polish cured under UV light to extend its longevity. Following all the same steps as a classic manicure–trim and clean nails before buffing them to achieve a smooth surface before pushing back cuticles and applying base coat–two or three layers of color gel polish will then be added for color enhancement.

Note that this type of nail polish contains photoinitiators which must be activated by light to activate its polymers, taking several minutes for them to “cure”, according to Kandalec. Therefore, for optimal results it should be done at a salon equipped with sufficient lighting.

Olivia Cigliano of Allure Editor and Manicurist Olivia Cigliano notes that using acetone-free polish removers like Olive & June Cuticle Serum or L’Occitane Shea Nourishing Nail & Cuticle Oil (both Best of Beauty winners) could cause your natural nails to become more fragile than expected; however a good acetone-free remover like Olive & June Cuticle Serum could take only 15 minutes or less to completely take away.

Acrylic

Acrylic nails are created by mixing liquid monomer and powder polymer together, along with lengthening tips, to form a hard layer over natural nails. This extension technique can add significant length and thickness to your natural nails while making for great opportunities to experiment with nail art designs and shapes.

Acrylic nails may be more harmful to your hands than gel or soft gel manicures, especially if they’re constantly used for work that requires lifting activities. For best results, always get them professionally removed rather than trying to peel them off yourself in an unsafe manner.

Our experts recommend this type of manicure to create a more structured look than soft gel mani, and to prevent any chips or flaking that may form over time.

Reverse French

Opting for a reverse French manicure offers an intriguing alternative. This style applies a splash of color near the base of nails instead of on their tips for an easier, yet stylish and polished look.

If you want to try this manicure trend, select a hue that complements both your outfit and accessories for an integrated appearance. This style also works well when applied on natural, short nails.

Cuticle Cuff manicure is another variation on the classic French manicure that adds a splash of color to the tips of nails with an accent nail color encircling them. This look is ideal for those who appreciate simplicity but require something special from their French manicure experience.

Paraffin

Paraffin wax is composed of beeswax and petroleum (think Vaseline) that has many health benefits, such as healing dry skin and opening pores to release toxins while simultaneously relieving pain from arthritis or joint stiffness.

Nail technicians pour molten paraffin wax into a basin and allow it to cool while massaging your hands with oils. Once the wax has reached room temperature, they dip or brush your hands into it before covering them with plastic gloves and hot towels to complete their service.

Heat from liquefied wax opens your pores, allowing oil to penetrate deeply into the skin and soften nails and skin quickly and efficiently. While its effects may only last temporarily, they’re effective at providing both quick and lasting softening effect for nails and skin alike.