What Manicure is Best For Nails?

A manicure is a popular beauty treatment that nourishes and strengthens nails while also accentuating hand appearance and overall look. But which type of manicure would best fit you? There are many choices!

Basic manicures offer low maintenance service for those seeking low maintenance solutions. It includes nail trimming and cuticle care as well as applying two coats of polish on top of a base coat before finishing with another two-coat finish.

Basic

Typically, a basic manicure involves nail and cuticle care as well as polish application. Appointments typically last 30 to 45 minutes depending on the salon and services requested.

When starting out with manicures or looking for something hassle-free and quick to remove, this option may be ideal. Plus, it is much less costly than other options and won’t damage your natural nails at a professional nail salon!

Gel manicures apply a long-wearing and chip-resistant polish that cures quickly under special lighting. Choose from various colors when getting this economical option done on your nails.

Vinylux

Vinylux by CND offers up to one week of chip-free wear without needing a base coat, while its semi-sheer colours make French nails look their best. Plus, its special top coat gets stronger as you expose it to sunlight!

This manicure includes nail cleaning, shaping and the application of your preferred polish. Choose between classic or embellished options like glitter or nail art.

This type of manicure is ideal if you prefer low-key nail looks that require little time and effort for application and removal, and doesn’t cause permanent damage like acrylics do. Just be sure to use non-acetone polish remover instead, otherwise your hands could end up sticky!

Gel

If you want a manicure that won’t chip quickly, gel polish may be your ideal solution. Long-wearing and up to three weeks lasting, you can find gel nail polish hues and curing lamps at drugstores or beauty e-tailers.

But if you opt for a gel manicure, make sure that the manicurist sanitizes tools and refrains from cutting or pushing cuticles, according to Dr. Ranasinghe. “Cuticles serve as natural barriers in protecting our bodies against infections,” according to Ranasinghe.

Hydration of nails between appointments is key, especially with gel manicures; to effectively take care of soaking them off using standard nail polish remover, however. With gel manicures it requires breaking open a seal on your top coat before using acetone to soak off the gel finish.

Acrylic

Acrylic nails, composed of powder and liquid polymers, can be applied over natural nails or, more frequently, fake ones to lengthen them and give a new look. Acrylic is the ideal solution for anyone with short stubby nails that break easily when growing out or who simply wishes to experiment with new looks.

Acrylic nails also require a salon visit, though their application can be more damaging to natural nails due to being adhered directly onto the nail plate. Furthermore, acrylic produces an unpleasant chemical-type smell and harbors bacteria; for this reason it’s crucial that a salon uses only sanitized tools when applying these nails.

The American Academy of Dermatology cautions that acrylic nails may weaken natural nails due to frequent filing and filling, and are susceptible to lifting and peeling, leading to infections and lifting up over time.

Shellac

Shellac nails offer long-term, chip-resistant durability reminiscent of gel manicures; but unlike those, they come in an assortment of natural-looking colors and are thinner.

Shellac manicures come with one downside, however: being cured under UV lights may damage the skin on your hands, necessitating sunscreen application prior to heading into the salon for a Shellac application. To stay safe, it is always a good idea to apply sunblock prior to visiting for your manicure appointment.

As hot water could dislodge or lift the polish off of a Shellac manicure, soaking your nails is not advised while wearing one – doing so could lift or chip it! For your own safety and to preserve its longevity, gloves should always be worn when washing dishes, showering or engaging in other activities where hot water may come into contact with hands and nails. Also remember to moisturize hand cream regularly to help hydrate both nails and surrounding skin.