Types of Manicures: Your Ultimate Guide to Popular Styles and Trends
Manicures are a great way to treat yourself and keep your hands shiny! Nowadays, a fingernail manicure can mean numerous things. Nail and manicure styles have evolved beyond plain polish. Knowing the differences between classic, simple, high-tech, and durable options helps.
This detailed guide will define a manicure, explain the many varieties and their benefits. Furthermore, it will also help you choose the best one that catches your eye. At LA Nail Supplies, choose the perfect manicure for your short, thin, or longest-lasting nails.
What is a Manicure?
A manicure beautifies hands and nails. An ordinary manicure involves trimming and shaping the nails, softening and gently pushing back the cuticles, or trimming excess, and applying nail paint. A hand massage or lotion application is a common manicure extra.
A salon manicure might be simple (file, buff, polish) or premium (exfoliation scrub, massage, heated towels). On other hand, a finger nail manicure cleans and polishes your nails for a neat, attractive look. Overall, a manicure involves nail care and polish too.
What are Different Types of Nails Manicure?
With the evolution in the nail care industry, over the years there are many types of manicures known to mankind. Let’s take a look at some of the most common and popular ones.
1. Classic Manicure (Regular Polish)
The manicure is the first treatment most people think of. It usually involves nail cutting, filing, cuticle care, and standard nail polish with base and top coats. So, does a classic manicure involve polish? A regular or classic manicure includes polish, usually your choice in two coats. Deluxe versions may include a hand massage or lotion. A manicure involves trimming the nails and applying lacquer for a tidy finish.
Durability: Regular lacquer lasts a week with minimal chipping. Be careful, some specialist applications can extend it to 7-10 days. Applying a clear top coat every few days and using gloves when doing chores might prolong your traditional polish.
Best for: A traditional manicure is perfect for a quick fix or short period. A polish manicure is great if you don't have time for long salon appointments to soak off improvements in a few weeks. It's also perfect for natural nail wearers who want a burst of color without commitment. This nail manicure is good for anyone who wants something simple and low-maintenance.
Maintenance: Let polish dry for 20–30 minutes to avoid dents. Reapply top coat every 2-3 days to prolong wear. If you discover minor chipping, you can patch them or change the color with nail polish remover. Using acetone-free remover and cuticle oil makes a traditional manicure easy on nails.
2. French Manicure
French manicure is the type of style, not any particular technique. A translucent nude or pink foundation and crisp white points give it a clean, neat look. If you like, you can make French tips with regular, gel, dip, or acrylic polish. The color pattern (natural base and white flat-edged tip) makes nails look classy and improved. French tips with squared-off white tips are what you call nails with a white flat finish.
Longevity: French style longevity depends on approach. Regular French manicures last around a week, but gel ones last 2+ weeks thanks to the resilient gel substance. If you want long-lasting French style, use gel or dip.
Made for: Those who prefer natural nails to aggressive nail art, the French manicure is ideal. Weddings and professional settings favor it because it's clean and versatile. French tips can make short nails look longer by extending the nail tip with white color, which is useful for small nail beds.
Maintenance Tips: Avoid using nails as tools to prevent tip wear like any polish manicure. Homemade white polish helps fix chipped white tips. Nail techs provide “French fills” to paint the white tip as it grows out, like in acrylic French sets.
The “square” nail shape has a flat horizontal free edge. The “squoval” shape has a flat end but rounded corners for a softer look. People usually ask - what do you call nails with the flat end? Well, this was the answer to this.
3. Soft Gel Manicure
If the notion of your polish crumbling after a few days makes you wince, try a gel manicure. Gel nail manicures employ a UV or LED lamp to cure a gel-based lacquer to a firm, glossy finish. The color is bright and robust, lasting 2 weeks or more without chipping. Most people think of a gel nail manicure as a soft gel polish.
Lasts for: Gel polish lasts 2–3 weeks chip-free. Many consumers say their gel manicure lasts until it is filled or removed. A good specialist can make a gel mani last three weeks.
Perfect for: Gel manicures are ideal for individuals who desire a glossy, long-lasting polish without drying time. Gel is ideal for protecting your characteristic nail color over vacations or busy workweeks. We'll explore how dip and acrylic manicures stay longer, but this is a frequent answer.
Maintenance Tips: Never peel gel! Even if it lifts, don't pick—it can remove nail layers. Soaking the gel in acetone with cotton and foil wrapping for 10-15 minutes softens and gently removes it. Removal with acetone can dry up cuticles, so keep them lubricated. Many salons offer removal. Soft gel protects thin nails, although Shellac or firm gel are more nail-friendly.
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4. DIY Manicure (Press-On Nails)
A quick, DIY solution that looks professional is becoming popular. Press-on nails are plastic or acrylic fake nails that you glue or use adhesive tabs to stay on. They can give you a salon look in minutes with their range of designs, lengths, and shapes, from simple solid colors to varied nail art. Press-on manicures are fun and convenient because of their improved quality and appearance.
Longevity: Product quality and application procedure determine press-on nail longevity. For a party or event, adhesive sticker tabs may only last a few days. At most there are high-end press-ons lasting one to two weeks using nail glue. For regular wear, clean your nails with alcohol, softly buff them, and avoid getting them wet for two hours after application to set the adhesive.
Best for: Instant results and frequent style changes make press-ons best. Press-on nails are a great manicure choice if you don't have time for the salon or just like changing your nail style. For thin or weak nails, press-ons can add drama without harsh chemicals or drilling (be careful with removal to avoid peeling layers).
Maintenance Tips: Choose the right nail sizes (many kits provide numerous sizes) for best wear. The adhesive can loosen if you soak your hands in hot water too long after application. Soak your nails in warm soapy water or acetone to soften the adhesive and remove them easier. Press-ons might be a safer manicure choice than acrylics if removed properly.
5. Shellac Gel-Polish Manicure
Shellac, a CND gel-polish hybrid solution, is now synonymous with a manicure. CND's Shellac manicure comes with gel and polish. This cures, and soaks off like gel polish, except it's thinner and softer on nails. Shellac stays on for 14 days without chips, like a gel manicure, yet it minimizes nail damage and makes removal easy. CND Shellac was one among the earliest, and many salons offer it instead of gel polish.
Long-Lastingness: Approximately 2 weeks of Shellac manicure wear. Some say it lasts 3 weeks, but CND says 14+ days. The shine stays stunningly glossy throughout. Shellac lasts longer than polish but not as long as hard gels or dip. The main benefit is that Shellac removes simpler, which leads to its intended use.
Goes with: For those with weaker or thin nails, shellac is a good alternative to gel. Shellac is slightly “softer” and soaks off more softly (CND says no filing of the nail surface is needed before soaking, unlike some gel brands), reducing the danger of peeling or brittleness in natural nails. When asked about the best manicure for thin nails, LA Nail Supplies advises Shellac manicures due to their gentle recipe and easy removal.
Maintenance: Moisten nails and cuticles and avoid utilizing nails as instruments with Shellac manicures. Since Shellac releases easily, remove it correctly after 2+ weeks. Many Shellac users can apply multiple applications without damaging their nails, making it popular with manicure enthusiasts.
6. Hard Gel Extensions Plexigel/Builder Manicure
Hard gel strengthens or lengthens nails beyond soft gels and paints. CND's Plexigel is a building gel. Plexigel manicures use a stronger semi-hard gel covering than soft gel polish. Builder gels preserve flat, brittle, or torn nails by filling ridges, adding structure, and lengthening them.
Durability: Builder gel and Plexigel manicures last 3 weeks or more without maintenance. After 3-4 weeks, many have it removed or filled. The gel is strong and won't chip, but the base will grow. Because a strong gel layer increases strength, breaks are rare. Hard gels and acrylics can last a month with careful care. Note that you'll need to fill the nail growth gap around that time.
Made for: Gel lovers who want longer-lasting or stronger nails. This is extremely useful for strengthening fragile or brittle nails. If your nails flex or peel, building gel will protect them. A layer of building gel can rescue a cracked nail corner and allow it grow out without breaking. Builder gel manicures are great for anyone seeking strength, durability, and length in the gel family.
Maintenance Tips: Hard gel requires filing off, unlike soft gel. Professionals should remove or fill it to avoid damage (they file it gently). Many choose fills over removal because it doesn't disintegrate. The tech files down the top layer of hard gel and adds new gel at the growing location to infill it like acrylic. For structure strength and lifting edge prevention, fill every 3-4 weeks. Keep the enhancement-grown nails nourished with cuticle oil. Builder gel systems like Plexigel offer longer-lasting manicures and are lighter and more natural-looking than acrylics.
7. SNS Dip Powder Manicure
Dip powder nails (called SNS) are popular for their longevity. A dip powder manicure involves prepping nails with a base liquid, then coating them with colored powder that clings to the base. Then, an activator and top coat cement the layers of opacity. The outcome is a firm, often thicker nail covering that can be as strong as acrylic without monomer liquid or UV light. Dip powders are available in all colors and French manicure kits. Many claim this procedure strengthens nails and lasts longer.
Longevity: Dip powder manicures often last 3-4 weeks. Dips resist chipping, so some can go longer if the growing difference doesn't concern them. Dip is one of the longest-lasting manicures, along with acrylics, according to several nail techs. Multi-layer resin and powder provide a robust overlay for durability.
Best for: Dip powder is ideal for those seeking a durable, low-maintenance manicure. Dip is perfect for busy people or those who don't want to care about nails for a few weeks. Dip manicures are considered a "healthier" alternative to acrylics because they don't smell like chemicals and don't need UV curing, although they still employ powerful adhesives and chemicals (cyanoacrylate in the base/activator).
Maintenance Tips: Proper dip powder removal is key. Dip bonds strongly, so removing or prying it off will remove layers of nail, leaving them thin and scarred. Always soak in acetone until the dip softens, then carefully scrape or file off or have a nail professional remove it. It may take 15+ minutes to dissolve dip at home, so patience is essential. Finally, be gentle with your dipped nails: hard pressure can crack them or break your original nail. Normal daily duties should be fine—these nails are tough!
8. Acrylic Manicure Extensions
Acrylic nails, the original durable manicure, are still popular for length and strength. A liquid monomer and powder polymer are mixed and put to the nail, where they solidify fast. Air-drying acrylics provide a firm, opaque overlay that can be filled as the nail grows. Acrylic manicures come in every shape such as coffin, stiletto, and oval. In the early 2000s, they were famous for their lengthy, square French tips.
Longevity: One of the longest-lasting manicures is acrylic. A full set of acrylics lasts 3–4 weeks before requiring a base fill. Acrylics grow at the cuticle and lift edges over several weeks, not “chip” like other paints. Acrylics last the longest, according to several nail professionals. But for that, fills are required, and the acrylic won't normally fail then.
Best for: If your nails won't grow or you bite them, acrylics can give you long, consistent nails. They are also robust, typically stronger than gel, making them suited for heavy hand use. When gels or dips don't stop breakage, many people use acrylic overlays. A talented nail artist can make acrylics thin and elegant, despite their reputation for being bulkier or less “natural” than gels. Acrylics help protect naturally weak nails, but inappropriate removal might worsen them. Fresh white acrylic (or hard gel) nails—length and perfection.
Maintenance Tips: Regular fills and thorough removal are crucial with acrylics. Visit your nail tech every 2-3 weeks for a fill to add acrylic to the grown-out foundation and adjust the nail shape. Be mindful that lengthy acrylic wear will weaken your natural nails due to covering and removal, so give them TLC (strengtheners, oils) when you take a vacation. Acrylics don't "ruin" nails; incorrect removal does. Many find them stronger than gels. Acrylic manicures offer the most length, durability, and design options.
9. Voesh Manicure
Individually packaged items assure freshness and cleanliness in the Voesh Manicure, a delightful spa experience. Each package provides a complete manicure with natural extracts to suit different skin types.
Longevity: The nail polish or enhancement used during a Voesh manicure determines its lifespan. Voesh treatments focus on skin health and relaxation but pairing them with a chip-free nail polish like gel or dip powder can last two to three weeks.
Ideal for: salon cleanliness enthusiasts because the individually packaged items reduce cross-contamination. For delicate skin or mild nail care, Voesh manicures are paraben-free and natural. Voesh products are appealing to ecologically aware folks due to their vegan and cruelty-free nature.
How to maintain: Keep hands hydrated with a good hand cream every day to prolong manicure smoothness. To avoid nail polish cracking or peeling, wear gloves during operations involving strong chemicals or extended water exposure. Schedule manicures every two to three weeks for optimal nail health and beauty.
LA Nail Supplies has many Voesh products to enhance manicures.
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Final Touch Up
Today, there are many nail and manicure possibilities. There's a manicure technique for every nail length, condition, and style, and knowing the distinctions can help you get the most out of your service. We love nails at LA Nail Supplies, and we hope this guide helps you choose your next mani. Here are some frequently asked questions to answer any remaining questions. Happy pampering!
FAQs About Manicures
1. Which Manicure Lasts Longest?
2. Which Are The Most Preferred Types Of Manicures For Short Nails?
3. Which Is The Best Manicure For Thin Or Weak Nails?
4. What Are Gentle, Firm, Etc. Different Types Of Gel Manicures?
LA Nail Supplies hopes this FAQ answers your questions! With expertise and insider advice, you may achieve the manicure that suits your style and life. We wish you to have happy, healthy, lovely nails!
