Popular Types of Manicures

No matter your nail art interests, maintaining healthy nails is of utmost importance. Dry and brittle nails can result in painful hangnails which not only look unsightly but may even open the way to infection on your hands.

But which type of manicure is the most popular? Here are a few options you should consider when making this decision.

Basic Manicure

Basic manicures typically involve applying regular nail polish, which dries naturally. They’re the most cost-effective type of manicure ranging from $20 to $35 depending on salon rates and location.

Women often view manicured nails as a means of self-expression and confidence boost in business settings where one’s appearance is often scrutinized.

Kandalec notes that other popular manicure styles include the stiletto manicure–a bold nail art style featuring long, pointed nails resembling heels–for women looking to make a statement or add glamour. She suggests an American manicure, similar to French but using lighter off-white tips instead. Furthermore, 3D manicures provide an exciting new way to express creativity through nail art!

French Manicure

A French Manicure combines natural or pale pink nail base with white nail tips for an iconic, timeless style that never goes out of fashion.

Modern manicure treatments differ significantly from their predecessors in that they do not involve soaking hands in lye and drying them with olive oil, but instead include cuticle work, base coat, two layers of polish, and fast-drying topcoats. A basic manicure works for all nail shapes but especially flattering on square or almond-shaped ones.

Jeff Pink, CEO and president of Orly International, developed the French manicure in 1975 in response to film directors requesting him for an adaptable, neutral nail look between scenes for actresses. It quickly caught on, becoming one of the most popular styles today – Ariana Grande has even been sporting this style recently in both her music videos and films, such as Thank U Next and Boy Erased!

Gel Manicure

Gel manicures provide long-lasting and chip-resistant nail care solutions that last up to two weeks. This nail treatment involves applying a layer of gel polish that’s been cured under UV or LED lights, helping keep color and design intact for upkeep.

Mabelyn Martin of New York City’s Paintbox nail studio praises a gel manicure’s curing process as one of its key advantages, noting it saves time by eliminating drying times and helps prevent potential smudging issues.

Soft gel manicures, also known as soak-off gels, are the most sought-after type of manicure as they allow users to remove their nails easily with acetone without damage and are the most natural-looking option available. However, hard and builder gels provide greater durability – up to one month if maintained properly – making them great for busy women who need something that lasts and looks good all day, every day.

Dip Powder Manicure

Dip powder nails, similar to acrylics but without monomers and polymers, are known for being lightweight, durable and visually flexible – an attractive feature for women seeking natural-looking nails.

Process involves applying an adhesive and then dipping the nail in pigmented powdered nail polish powder. Since there’s no curing process needed for these manicures, they can be done more quickly; additionally, because they adhere to natural nails more securely than gel manicures (up to four weeks longer!).

However, this process can be hard on nails – particularly the tips, which must be buffed to smooth away ridges and thin out natural nails. According to dermatologists, repeated dipping of nails into powder could result in permanent nail damage, including length and thickness loss. To avoid this happening again ask your technician not to push back or cut cuticles, and moisturize them regularly with petroleum jelly or cuticle oil to further minimize potential damages to them.