Types of Manicures

Nail salons provide an extensive array of manicure services. Common services offered at salons are basic, gel (including Shellac ), acrylic and French manicure.

Basic manicures provide the easiest treatment option available: they involve trimming, shaping and buffing nails as well as applying cuticle oil and standard nail polish.

Gel manicures combine all the steps of a basic with 14-day wear gel polish that must be cured under light for best results.

Classic

A classic manicure is a beauty treatment designed to enhance and care for the appearance of nails and hands. Usually comprising several steps, including soaking hands in warm water before filing and shaping nails as needed; cuticle care including pushing back any nonliving tissue; massage for hand muscles and finally application of nail polish, it typically lasts from one hour up to several days depending on its complexity.

Nail art can add another creative dimension to a manicure, such as dots, flowers or Santa hats painted onto the base coat. Nail art may be pricey but is an inexpensive way to express yourself!

Gel manicures utilize liquid lacquer that cures under UV or LED light to produce longer-lasting and lower maintenance results than traditional polishes. Though more costly, gel manicures offer superior longevity with far fewer touch ups needed.

Gel

Gel manicures are long-wear nail polishes cured using UV or LED lights to produce an enhanced manicure with less chipping and chipping, using base coat, color layer and topcoat layers cured using UV light and finished off by an acetone soak-off process. They require three steps – basecoat, color layer and topcoat application as well as an acetone soak off process when removed from salon service.

CND created the world’s first 14-day-wear gel nail polish in 1994, now commonly referred to as shellac. Both hybrid forms require curing under either UV or LED lights in order to set properly and can last from 14-21 days depending on wear time and care instructions.

Proper nail preparation is key to creating the ideal gel manicure experience: Clean and sanitize, gently push back cuticles, file for shape, buff lightly to avoid peeling and finish off with cuticle oil or serum for post-gel care.

Acrylic

A manicure is a beauty treatment for hands and nails that involves trimming, shaping and buffing nails as well as treating cuticles with liquid treatments before applying nail polish.

Acrylic nails are hard decorative layers created using liquid monomer and powder polymer, and applied directly onto natural nail plates using liquid monomer and powder polymer. A professional manicurist then shapes and adds length to them – giving the look the flexibility of coffin, French or round nails as desired.

Gel manicures employ a soft gel formula cured under UV lighting to resist chipping and chipping over time. A popular choice, they boast long-term shine with colors that won’t fade as easily than standard nail polish.

French

A classic French manicure features a natural or pink base with a white tip for an enduring and sophisticated aesthetic. This style can be done either on natural nails or artificial tips and the width of the lines can vary to achieve different effects.

Gel manicures consist of applying gel polish to your nails, which is then cured under UV light to extend its wear time. Gel is healthier for nails than its traditional counterpart and comes in all of your favorite hues!

Deconstructed french manicures provide another variation on this classic design with bold splashes of color on each nail tip instead of the smooth stroke typically seen.

Dip Powder

While acrylic nails and gel polish may take the limelight, there is another nail trend gaining steam that has experts intrigued. Dip powder (also known as SNS nail technology) involves “dipping” your nails in a pot of pigmented powder before sealing it with clear sealant to achieve the final product.

Manicurists we consulted praised this technique as being less damaging to natural nails than traditional acrylics, without necessitating an air compressor (which could potentially lead to infections). Unfortunately, as this process requires multiple dips into one container of powder at once, cross-contamination risks exist.

Home nail care specialists recommend wearing gloves while performing household tasks and regularly using cuticle oil to keep nails in tip-top condition. You should also refrain from picking at them, as that can cause them to lift and tear over time.