How Many Types of Manicures Are Available?

Finding the appropriate manicure is a personal choice; however, salon menus can sometimes seem intimidating. We break down some leading options: Basic, hard gel, Shellac (soft gel), acrylic and sculpted nails are available as options.

A sculpted manicure is ideal for anyone with natural nail growth. Your manicurist will use forms placed beneath your fingernails to sculpt their tips into beautiful shapes.

Basic Manicure

Basic manicures use regular polish. Typical steps involve soaking nails, managing cuticles and applying base, color and top coats before adding finishing touches like polish.

Your nail tech may provide a hand massage to improve circulation in your hands and fingers, which helps promote new cell formation for healthy hands that keep their skin soft. This service may also contribute to maintaining soft, rejuvenated hands.

Manicures offer more than just an excuse for pampering yourself and looking your best at special events; they’re also essential tools in managing nails, encouraging healthy skin conditions, and protecting fingers against infections. That’s why it’s essential to understand all of the various types of manicures; that way when looking over spa menus you will have a clear idea of which options are available.

Hard Gel Manicure

Hard gel manicures offer long-lasting and high-shine nails without being as damaging to nails as acrylics, according to Reynosa.

This service utilizes a liquid monomer and powder polymer mixture applied using a brush and cured under UV or LED lights, before painting on a gel base coat for added color or nail art.

Yankee says this service typically takes two hours and costs $80; nails typically last one month before needing fills; extensions can either be sculpted on with a nail form or attached using gel extender glue.

Soft Gel Manicure

When it comes to selecting a mani, many factors must be taken into consideration. Do you prefer bold or subtle color options? Perhaps gel polish could be just what’s needed?

Soft gel (also referred to as soak-off gel) nail polishes can be removed using acetone, unlike hard gel manicures. While adding strength to natural nails, soft gel manicures don’t offer as much flexibility compared to sculpted or acrylic nail solutions.

Kandalec recommends soft gel manicures as the ideal solution to prevent damage to their nails. Similar to regular nail polish, soft gel won’t stain or damage natural nails provided they visit a reputable salon for services; however it may need more frequent fill-ins than its counterpart.

Sculpted Manicure

Idehen tells TZR that sculpted manicures are acrylic-based nail enhancements applied over the free edge of natural nails, Idehen says. This type of enhancement can take the form of practical ovals to dagger-like nails.

These nails provide a lighter and more seamless appearance as they do not use plastic tips that may be difficult to fit accurately onto your nails. Furthermore, they’re much simpler and easier to remove than acrylics while often needing less maintenance.

Extensions that use flexible fibres are perfect for people who like changing up their look frequently or working with their hands regularly. Just make sure you schedule regular appointments in order to keep your extensions looking their best and use non-acetone polish remover.

Dip Powder Manicure

Dip powder nails use colored acrylic powder mixed with glue-type resin to form nails, then sealed off using activator polish for final sealing. Because no UV light is required for curing purposes, skin damage risks are eliminated and time saved during their creation and maintenance.

Nail estheticians apply a base coat, then each nail is dipped in powder until you achieve your desired color on them. This process may need to be repeated several times until it achieves that result.

Some experts advise avoiding dip manicures because they can lead to nail fungus. Also, if your nails tend to peel easily and react negatively with dip powders, a manicure professional should apply your nails instead for maximum hygiene and safety. Furthermore, do not push back cuticles; doing so could result in infection.