What Type of Manicure is Best?

No matter your manicure goals – longer nails or adding art – there are so many choices out there for you. To help make the decision easier for you, we enlisted celebrity manicurists as experts on each style to discuss them and their estimated longevity.

These manicures use hard gel polish that can be shaped into fun shapes for long-lasting nails without damaging natural ones. Perfect for anyone wanting long-lasting nail art that won’t damage natural ones.

Basic Manicure

Basic manicure services typically consist of trimming, shaping, filing and buffing nails to maintain their health, nail polish application (usually gel) and hand massage services. Soaking may cause the polish to separate from the nail plate, thus rendering this form of manicure unnecessary.

This type of manicure is perfect for those who value natural nails. It does not contain harsh ingredients and is easily removable at home with regular nail polish remover. Unlike acrylics, however, this option does not damage natural nails but requires professional products and expertise instead. Additionally, this option lasts two weeks with little upkeep needed – making it more cost effective than many other enhancements available at most salons and making it quite popular.

Hard Gel Manicure

Hard gel manicures, unlike acrylics, don’t require nail tips or forms; therefore they’re more flexible and natural looking, according to celebrity manicurist Brittany Boyce.

Viscous gel forms an impermeable shield around natural nails to keep them from cracking or breaking and make them less prone to lifting, while simultaneously increasing their durability. Unfortunately, regular cuticle oil application and proper nail care can help minimize this potential downside.

Hard gel manicures are an ideal option for those seeking long-lasting and durable manicures, unlike soft gels which can be removed with just an acetone soak-off solution. Reynosa told Byrdie that hard gel may also be removed with filing followed by wrapping with foil-wrapped cotton balls saturated in acetone for home removal). They’re also great for creating unique nail art designs or sculpture.

Soft Gel Manicure

Soft gel manicures are ideal for individuals who often switch up their nail colors or prefer a more natural appearance, and may also prove durable and require minimal upkeep.

Hard gels may require longer to set before removal using acetone; soft gels are flexible enough to bend slightly without breaking, and are easy to take off using just an acetone solution. They have much faster drying times compared to hard ones as well, saving you from nail salon smell. Check out our post on structured soft gel manicures for more information and tips for getting optimal results; or for an alternative approach try a builder gel manicure which gives strength while remaining flexible.

Sculpted Manicure

Women looking for an un-fussy aesthetic will benefit from opting for the sculpted manicure technique. This overlay technique uses gel products without necessitating plastic tips glued directly onto their nails beforehand.

Nail sculpting allows your nail technician to form any shape you desire; from classic coffin to sharp stiletto. Whatever fits best with your personal style and preferences.

Sculpted nails offer a natural appearance and lightweight comfort, making them easy to wear. Their durability also makes them invaluable to active women with busy lives – they will last even longer when properly cared for regularly! For optimal performance, get them professionally retouched regularly by professional nail technicians.

Dip Powder Manicure

Dip powder manicures have been described as an economical hybrid between gel and acrylic manicures, lasting up to four weeks on average. This manicure utilizes an adhesive base with colored powder mixed into an activator polish which cures in the air without the need for UV light.

Once your nail tech has applied the base coat, she will dip each fingernail into a pot of colored acrylic powder in layers to build its opacity. When desired nails have been achieved, an activator polish top coat is added as a top coat and then air cured for curing.

As is always best practice, professional dipping manicures should only be performed by licensed and trained personnel who follow rigorous hygiene protocols. Also avoid filling in bare growth that might trap moisture between natural nails and dip powder applications.