What Is Considered a Basic Manicure?

Manicures are cosmetic beauty treatments of the fingernails and hands that can be performed both at home or at a nail salon, such as trimming nails, cuticle care, massage therapy and the application of color nail polish.

Your ideal manicure type depends on your lifestyle, nail health and personal tastes. Here are a few popular choices:

Basic

Nails are an essential accessory to any look, and with so many choices at nail salons it can be easy to become overwhelmed. From classic manicures to eye-catching nail art pieces it’s essential that you understand all the different types of manicures before selecting the look that works for you.

Basic manicures offer an unassuming solution, consisting of trimming, shaping, filing and buffing followed by polish application with base coat and topcoat for a complete look. Perfect for those who prefer traditional colors without the fussy tendencies found with nail trends – basic manicures can even be achieved at home using nail guide strips and regular polish.

Classic

A classic manicure is an ideal option for anyone seeking a simple and classic experience. This classic service includes trimming, shaping, filing and buffing the nails as well as cuticle care and hand massage – plus traditional nail polish that won’t harm their nails!

Tip: For an uninterrupted manicure experience, ask your manicurist to forgo the soaking step and paint your nails dry directly instead. Soaking expands nails, which causes polish to chip more rapidly.

Since there is such a range of manicure types to choose from, it can be daunting attempting to figure out which one would best suit you. But don’t fret: We consulted salon owners, nail techs and even an experienced beauty writer (who has tried all types!) in order to assess each option and present its respective pros and cons.

Acrylic

Acrylic manicures are an excellent way to break your nail biting habit while prolonging their lives. Nail art is often included with this type of manicure and may include more intricate designs.

Application of acrylic nails varies from salon to salon, but typically involves dipping your nails in liquid monomer before covering them in powder to create the illusion of length on top of nail tips or forms attached directly to your nails.

As with all manicures, it is vital that the salon you visit adheres to strict hygienic regulations. Furthermore, it may take some getting used to having long nails as they can occasionally catch on objects or snap during daily tasks.

Gel

There are various manicure types out there designed to add length, color, and shine to your nails; however, not all are created equal and some are more efficient than others.

Traditional classic manicures consist of trimming, shaping and buffing your nails before polish is applied. Your nail technician may also massage your hands and manage your cuticles.

Gel manicures (such as Shellac manicures ) employ liquid-like nail polish that is hardened under UV or LED lighting to form a solid coating on the nail plate. They generally last longer than traditional polishes and are non-toxic so pregnant women can also enjoy them safely. They tend to be less clumpy and more flexible for an enhanced natural appearance, plus require less maintenance while being easier to take off at home.

Powder

Those prone to hand injuries or suffering from frequent nail chipping could find the powder manicure a beneficial treatment option. Your nail technician will apply an adhesive, then dip your nails in colored powder before shaking off any excess. A top coat is applied afterwards and the nails are sealed off permanently.

This type of manicure offers additional benefits over its counterparts; lasting three to four weeks in salon settings. However, this method has some drawbacks; in particular the requirement that all nail technicians dip their nails into one single jar of powder in order to prevent cross-contamination; as a result of which extra powder is often wasted and wasted funds spent.