Different Types of Manicures and Pedicures

Hands and nails get plenty of use throughout the day–from washing dishes to socializing with friends. Additionally, they serve as an indicator of our overall hygiene level, so taking good care in treating them properly is vital!

Manicures and pedicures are an excellent way to relax, pamper yourself and give your hands and feet the TLC they deserve. But not all manicures are created equal!

Traditional Nail Polish Manicure

Traditional nail polish manicures provide women looking for a quick, affordable pamper session to enhance the appearance of their nails with glossy shine. In this service, nails are trimmed and shaped before cuticles are moisturized before receiving an application of standard nail polish.

Add nail art for an additional charge; according to nail artist Julie Kandalec, this manicure is best for women who don’t frequently work with their hands and require something that stands the test of daily life.

Hard gel manicures combine elements of traditional manicures and acrylic nails. Applying base coat, two layers of color and sealer under UV light produces a high-shine manicure lasting up to two weeks with proper removal taking longer and potentially leading to long-term damage if done improperly.

Gel Manicure

Gel manicures have become an increasingly popular nail trend that uses special colored gel instead of regular polish to coat nails. Shellac (gel nail polish) comes in numerous classic and contemporary hues; technicians will apply a base coat, two or more thin layers of the color, followed by a topcoat to seal its effects.

Once finished, your manicure will be cured under a LED or UV light for 30-60 seconds, typically taking less than an hour in total.

A key benefit of instant dry manicures is their speedy drying time; leaving the salon or finishing at home without wearing shoes afterwards is possible. On the downside, however, they chip easily so topcoat must be added frequently; adding nail art may incur extra costs; repeated exposure to curing lights may increase your risk of skin cancer on both hands and feet.

Acrylic Manicure

Acrylic nail polish is an alternative to nail polish that uses a mixture of liquid monomer and powder polymer that’s mixed together into a sticky paste and applied directly over natural nails. When combined with gel polish for longer-lasting manicures, acrylic is much more durable and can be molded into any shape or length you desire – though professional shaping and filing services should be sought to avoid ragged edges or painful cuticle areas.

Before selecting a salon to get acrylics done, be sure they adhere to proper hygiene procedures and use only clean tools with every client. Bacteria spread easily, and an improper manicure could lead to serious nail infections down the line.

Gel Toenails

Gel toenails, also known as Shellac pedicures, offer the same experience as traditional pedicures but utilize color-coated nail gel instead of polish for their service. You can select from classic and contemporary hues during this experience that also includes filing the nails, deep soak, trimming cuticles and cleaning before applying the color polish.

After applying a base coat and two layers of nail polish, the nails are then cured under UV lighting for 30 seconds each before the technician applies a clear topcoat layer to protect it against moisture or other environmental elements which could cause it to chip or fade over time.

Lin states that gel manicures usually last three weeks. He cautions against getting one right before vacation or major trips to the beach or pool since chlorine and saltwater wear away the polish faster than regular polish and its removal can require much more acetone than expected.