Types of Manicures

A manicure is a cosmetic beauty treatment for hands and nails that includes applying nail polish, as well as other techniques like soaking, filing, shaping, buffing and cuticle care.

Apart from improving your aesthetic, regular manicures may also offer health advantages. One major perk is improved circulation to your fingertips and hands.

Basic Manicure

A basic manicure is what most people envision when they hear “manicure.” This treatment typically entails getting your nails trimmed, cuticles pushed back, buffing, hydrating and standard nail polish applied.

One of the greatest advantages of a gel manicure is its speed, affordability and ability to last up to one week without needing to be refreshed at home.

Spa manicures involve more involved procedures that include paraffin wax treatments or essential oils that provide deep relaxation, improve circulation and strengthen nails while making special occasions special occasions when your hands need to look their best. You can get this type of manicure at local nail salons before doing one yourself at home which will last longer and provide greater durability than its counterparts.

French Manicure

Though many nail trends come and go, French manicure has maintained its status as an elegant classic. This look features a sheer pink or nude base topped off with opaque white tips; oftentimes this design follows the natural shape of each tip for an elegant, sophisticated finish.

Though its precise origin is debated (some credit actress Cher, others Jeff Pink), its spread quickly from Hollywood to Paris via style icons like Barbra Streisand and Cher. Now, French manicures come in various iterations including rainbow colors or monochromatic schemes with varied textures for maximum impact.

While a basic manicure includes all the pampering essentials like trimming and shaping nails, buffing, cuticle care and hydration, what truly sets apart French-inspired nail looks is how they’re painted – base coat, colored polish and topcoat are applied together to give your manicure an aesthetic finish that usually lasts three to seven days.

Gel Manicure

Gel manicures differ significantly from traditional nail polish in terms of formulation and require either LED or UV lighting to cure their layers. While regular polish is more susceptible to chipping, peeling, and smudging than gels do. They typically last 2-3 weeks longer with greater resistance against chipping, peeling, and smudging than do gel manicures.

Gel manicures use polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), a hard and durable plastic resin widely used for dental implants and Plexiglass window replacement, among other things. PMMA may also be found in certain acrylic nails.

Nagy warns that frequent gel manicures can damage nails and cause dry skin on hands, and advises wearing gloves or applying sunscreen before receiving a manicure, and using an UV protective remover without harsh acetone found in traditional polishes.

Gel manicures offer the ideal combination of natural-looking nail art with long-term wearability. However, keep in mind that you are still soaking your hands in acetone and the PMMA polymer on your nails isn’t good for either skin or nails – no matter how “green” the service might claim to be.

Acrylic pedicure–care/” target=”_blank”>Manicure

Acrylic nails add length, thickness and a healthy-looking finish to your fingernails. Popular among people without natural long nails or those needing quick fill-ins when their growth slows down, acrylic nails are typically created using a nail tip or form that sits approximately halfway up natural nails and adheres securely using an acrylic formula adhesive.

Acrylic nails may seem damaging at first, but with an experienced manicurist prioritizing nail health and strength. While more porous than gel polishes, acrylics are easier to soak off with acetone–plus they tend to last much longer!