Types of Manicure Polish You Can Get at the Nail Salon

There’s more than one way to put on polish on your fingers these days, from low maintenance to eye-catching glam – we’re exploring eight types of manicure polish you can find at nail salons.

Gel manicures have quickly become the go-to solution for many due to their instant drying time and non-soaking in acetone removal process, not to mention that they look and feel extremely durable.

Acrylic

Acrylic nails are one of the oldest nail enhancement options around; made up of liquid monomers and powder polymers combined together, creating a hard protective layer over natural nails. As they’re highly durable and can be customized to any length or shape, acrylic manicures make great choices for those wanting a unique design or extra long nails – however if not performed properly it may cause damage so professional nail technicians should handle this service for best results.

Polygel nails (commonly referred to as soft gels) are less damaging on natural nails than acrylics. Made up of liquid resin and set under either LED or UV lighting, polygels claim to hold up better than gels but still require professional services for application and removal in order to remain undamaged for an extended period.

Polygel

Polygel is an innovative manicure product that brings together the best elements of acrylics and gels, offering both comfort and longevity in one product. Polygel’s smooth surface offers long-term wear without harmful chemicals or unpleasant odors to damage nails; plus it works with any color of nail polish – even gel ones!

Before applying Polygel, your nail technician will first prepare the natural nails by pushing back cuticles and filing down to remove oils. They’ll also apply a base coat in order to prepare for its application.

Next, the nail tech will place dual forms on each finger and apply a bead of Polygel into its tip. They will begin shaping and lengthening each nail with this polygel before curing them under an LED light before finally topping it all off with top coat – and voila, your new nails are complete!

Dip

Dip nails are an increasingly popular alternative to acrylics, and can last up to one month with proper care. The manicure involves applying a clear base coat, followed by dipping each nail into a powder containing sealing liquid – this produces results which have proven more durable than gel manicures as they don’t suffer from chipping or breakage issues.

Dip manicures have many drawbacks: time-consuming and expensive to apply; less versatile than other nail polish options in terms of colors and finishes available; possible damage to natural nails through improper removal can include dehydration and weakening; however they remain an attractive choice nonetheless.

Dip manicures may also be unhygienic; during the dipping process, fingers must be immersed into a pot of powder that could contain bacteria and germs. To stay on the safe side, ask your manicurist to dip cotton balls into acetone before applying it directly onto each nail before taking away the acrylic nail tips.

Shellac

Shellac manicures combine the best features of both gel manicures (no chips and long wear) and traditional polishes to produce a high-gloss finish with lasting protection for short or fragile nails, lasting at least two weeks without chipping. When properly applied, shellac can protect natural nails from damage caused by bacteria or fungus growth while simultaneously offering enhanced visuals.

Lippmann states that shellac gel polishes are among the easiest of all gels to apply and remove at home, due to being specially designed to bond to nails while being thinner than other gels; thus enabling acetone to sink in easily and dissolve the polish for effortless home removal.

Note that, just like regular nail polish, shellac manicures can also be harmful if picked at or soaked inappropriately – picking at them or submerging your nails incorrectly could cause water to seep under the polish and damage your nail surface, leading to fungus growth or weaker nail surface conditions. When necessary only use acetone as a soak.