The 10 Types of Manicures You Should Know About (& What They Include)

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How to pick the perfect manicure for your nails & style
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Are you gearing up for a trip to the nail salon, but aren’t sure what type of manicure to ask for? No problem! While there are lots of different types of manicures, we’re here to help you find the one that’s just right for your style, time tables, nail health, and budget. Maybe you’re looking for a super-durable, long-lasting acrylic manicure, or a perfectly smooth and glossy gel polish aesthetic. In this article, we’ll cover each type of manicure available and the pros and cons of each, with expert insights from professional nail technicians Smarlen Balbi and Marta Nagorska.

A Quick Overview of Common Manicure Types

  • Lacquer manicure - The most basic manicure using standard lacquer nail polish; it’s quick and low-cost compared to other manicure types.
  • Gel manicure - Gel is smooth, glossy, and longer-lasting than lacquer. Once applied, it’s cured under a UV or LED light.
  • Hard gel manicure - Hard gel strengthens nails and keeps them from breaking, making it more durable than regular soft gel.
  • Acrylic manicure - Acrylic polish is a mixture of liquid and powder that hardens rapidly once applied, and it’s perhaps the most durable type of manicure.
Section 1 of 3:

Types of Manicures

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  1. 1
    Basic (lacquer) manicure A basic manicure uses the same types of lacquer nail polishes you’d use at home (applied with a professional touch, of course). This manicure typically involves getting your cuticles cleaned and your nails filed and shaped before the actual polish is applied: first, a base coat, then 2 to 3 layers of nail polish, then a top coat. From there, it usually takes around 30 minutes for the polish to dry. [1]
    • Who should get one? Anyone who prefers a quicker, low-budget manicure at the salon (and easy removal at home, when the time comes) should consider a basic manicure.
    • How long does it last? Usually 1 to 2 weeks. Just don’t soak your nails before the manicure (as this can expand your nail bed and cause the polish to crack later).
    • Cost: Typically around $20 to $60 (unless you pay for an extra service, like a massage, wax, or nail art).
    • Removal: Removal is simple! Soak a cotton ball in regular old nail polish remover and use it to wipe the remaining polish away.

    Meet the wikiHow Experts

    Marta Nagorska is a nail technician and blogger who runs the Furious Filer blog, where she gives tutorials on nail care and advanced nail art.

    Smarlen Balbi is a nail technician and one of the top toe techs in NYC, with celebrity clients and over 5 years of experience.

  2. 2
    Gel manicure Gel (or soft gel, as it’s sometimes called) is a type of nail polish that’s cured under UV or LED lights, rather than left to air-dry. The overall result is glossy, smooth, and less likely to chip than lacquer. It’s best when brushed on in thin layers, according to Balbi. [2] Those layers usually consist of a base coat, color, and a top coat. Then, the manicure is cured and ready to go!
    • Who should get one? Unlike hard gel (covered below), regular gel doesn’t strengthen your nails, so get a gel manicure if you just want a smooth, long-lasting mani. “Gel is more for color,” says Balbi. “Gel is better if your nails are already strong." [3]
    • How long does it last? The average gel manicure lasts around 2 weeks (sometimes longer).
    • Cost: A gel mani can cost around $25 to $50.
    • Removal: Gel manicures aren’t too hard to remove; you can soak them right off using foil and acetone .
    • You can also add nail tips to your soft gel manicure (tips that are glued onto your nails; then, the entire nail, tip included, is painted). Soft gel nail tips add more length to your nails, making them ideal for nail art (or a longer nail shape).
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  3. 3
    Hard gel manicure “Hard gel is used to strengthen the nails,” explains Balbi. “If your nails are weak, hard gel helps keep them from breaking.” [4] As an alternative to soft gel, hard gel is much thicker, with a honey-like consistency. When you get a hard gel manicure, you can expect to get a base coat, then a layer of color, and a top coat. The final product is then cured under a UV or LED light until dry.
    • Who should get one? As Balbi says above, anyone who wants to strengthen their nails (and get some color at the same time) should consider a hard gel manicure.
    • How long does it last? Hard gel nails typically last for 3 to 4 weeks.
    • Cost: Usually around $50 to $100, depending on where you go.
    • Removal: Hard gel nails must be filed off. A professional can easily file off the hard gel without harming your nails!
    • There are also different types of hard gel to consider, like Acrygel, which is super durable while behaving more like acrylic polish.
  4. 4
    Acrylic manicure Acrylic nail polish is a combination of liquid and powder that hardens on its own when applied. Although it looks a lot like hard gel polish when all is said and done, the two dry very differently—hard gel is cured under a light, whereas acrylic gel hardens very quickly after application. In fact, it’s almost entirely cured after the first three minutes!
    • Who should get one? Anyone who’s looking for extremely hard, durable nails or nails with some length to them (to provide space for nail art, or simply for the aesthetic) should consider an acrylic manicure.
    • How long does it last? Acrylic manicures last around 2 to 3 weeks. They can also be retouched between visits to the salon.
    • Cost: Typically around $50 to $95 (or more, with add-on services).
    • Removal: It’s typically easier to have a professional remove acrylic nails, but you can do it at home, too. “You’ll need 100% acetone and cotton balls,” says Balbi. “You’ll also need to clip and file the acrylics down as much as possible before soaking. It can take up to an hour to fully remove them.” [5]
  5. 5
    Dip powder manicure Dip powder is technically a type of acrylic, though they’re usually referred to separately. Dip powder nails consist of layered acrylic powder and resin; first, the nail is dipped into the powder (or the powder is sprinkled onto the nail, alternatively). Then, a layer of resin is applied—followed by another layer of powder, and so on. Finally, the finished nail is filed and smoothed down. [6]
    • Who should get one? Anyone with shorter nails should consider a dip powder mani, since you can’t add length with one. People who want a long-lasting mani and don’t have time for touch-ups every week should also consider one!
    • How long does it last? A dip powder manicure can last up to a month.
    • Cost: Typically between $35 and $50.
    • Removal: Dip powder nails should be filed down, then soaked in acetone for easy removal.
  6. 6
    Plexigel manicure Plexigel is semi-hard, flexible, and tough—more durable than regular (soft) gel. The end result looks very similar to a gel manicure, though getting a plexigel manicure can help lengthen your nails or make them appear slightly plumper. Additionally, if your nails are brittle or torn, using plexigel can help repair and smooth them out!
    • Who should get one? Consider a plexigel manicure if you like gel nail polish and want your manicure to last even longer than standard soft gel.
    • How long does it last? Plexigel manicures can last for over 3 weeks.
    • Cost: Typically anywhere from $50 to $100.
    • Removal: Remove plexigel by gently filing down the top layer of nail polish, then soaking your nails in acetone.
  7. 7
    Shellac manicure Shellac is very similar to gel, though it was specially created by CND (Creative Nail Design), a nail brand. It’s essentially a combination of gel and regular polish, making it a little healthier for your nails, yet still decently durable and long-lasting. Shellac polish also has to be cured under a UV or LED light, just like regular gel. [7]
    • Who should get one? Anyone who wants a gel manicure but is concerned about their nail health and wants easier-to-remove polish should consider a Shellac manicure.
    • How long does it last? Shellac manicures last around 2 to 3 weeks.
    • Cost: Typically around $30 to $50.
    • Removal: Soak your nails in high-strength acetone to remove the Shellac polish .
  8. 8
    Sculpted nails Sculped nails are a type of gel extension; they add to your natural nails using builder gel (which is quite easy to apply, as it’s pre-mixed and isn’t sticky at all). The builder gel is affixed to your nails with a UV or LED lamp (like regular gel). Then, the nail technician will add more builder and use it to sculpt your nail!
    • Who should get one? People with nails that have some natural length and shape should consider a sculpted nail manicure. Unfortunately, super short nails tend not to work as well.
    • How long does it last? A sculpted nail manicure can last up to 3 weeks.
    • Cost: Because the process is more involved, sculpted nails are more expensive. Prices are easily $100+.
    • Removal: Sculpted nails can be filed down gently, then removed by soaking them in acetone.
  9. 9
    French manicure French manicures are about capturing a particular style rather than using a specific type of nail polish; you can get a French mani with regular lacquer, gel, or acrylic! French manicures have a natural-looking pink or nude base on the nails with white tips—although some more modern variants involve colored tips as an alternative. [8]
    • Who should get one? Anyone who wants a timeless, classic mani, particularly for a formal event or to capture a more professional aesthetic, should consider a French manicure.
    • How long does it last? It depends on the type of polish you get with your manicure.
    • Cost: Again, this largely depends on the polish used.
    • Removal: Remove your French manicure the way you’d remove any other polish (nail polish remover for lacquer or acetone for soft gel and acrylic).
  10. 10
    Press-on nail manicure Press-on nails are your at-home, DIY option; they’re generally cheaper than going to a salon for a professional manicure (although, of course, that depends on the type of nails you buy and how elaborate they are). Press-ons are pre-made, so all you have to do is use the adhesive or glue that comes with the press-ons to affix them to your nails.
    • Who should get one? Anyone who wants a professional-looking manicure without actually going to the salon (either because you don’t have the time or like switching your nail style more frequently) should consider press-ons!
    • How long does it last? Press-on nails with stickers will only stick to your nails for a few days. If you use glue (made specially for press-on nails), they can last for up to 2 weeks.
    • Cost: Cost depends on the brand and where you get them from—but you have lots of options, including low-cost ones.
    • Removal: You can soak press-on nails in warm, soapy water for several minutes to get them off.
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Section 2 of 3:

Manicure Treatments & Extras

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  1. 1
    Paraffin wax treatment It’s very common to get a paraffin wax treatment before a manicure, which involves hydrating your nails and hands using warm wax. During the treatment, your hands are dipped in the wax, then wrapped in plastic; this traps the moisture, softening your skin and, when it’s time for the manicure, helping the polish adhere to your nails more effectively.
  2. 2
    Cuticle maintenance and care Manicures often begin with a bit of care and upkeep before the actual polish is applied. For instance, the nail technician may soak your nails in warm water to soften the cuticles, then push back your cuticles with an orange stick or metal pusher. If the nail technician trims any skin around you’re cuticles, it’ll only be skin that’s already loose.
  3. 3
    Nail shaping During your manicure, you can have your nails shaped a certain way (to suit your hand shape or a particular aesthetic you’re aiming for). The most common nail shapes include square, round, oval, almond, and stiletto.
    • Square nails are stronger-looking.
    • Round nails have a softer vibe and look very natural.
    • Almond nails are considered very feminine-looking.
    • Oval nails create more space for nail art and can make short fingers look longer.
    • Stiletto nails are also longer with pointed tips, requiring extensions.
  4. 4
    Buffing nails Nail buffing involves using a buffer to smooth down your nails, removing ridges and imperfections, and creating a shiny, clean surface for the nail polish. Nail technicians typically use buffers with increasingly fine levels of grit and gentle strokes to smooth out your nails during this process.
  5. 5
    Nail art Nail art is an optional component of your manicure; you can request additional embellishments on your nails if you want more than just a solid color. Of course, it’s an added expense, so expect to pay at least $20 more for nail art than you would for a regular manicure (if not more). There are plenty of different techniques used to apply designs to nails, including:
    • Freehand painting - Nail technicians paint right on your nails using very fine brushes for details.
    • Stamping - Pre-made patterns are stamped onto your manicured nails.
    • Foil or Gilding - Metallic leaf or foil is applied to your nails, adding extra shimmer and elegance to the manicure.
    • 3D additions - 3D embellishments like gems, studs, and charms are added to your manicured nails for that extra wow factor!
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Section 3 of 3:

Keeping Your Nails Healthy Between Manicures

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  1. Basic care can help you maintain strong and healthy-looking nails. Nagorska recommends moisturizing your hands as often as possible, for starters. “Always wear gloves when gardening or doing housework, particularly if it involves handling cleaning products or submerging your hands in water,” she adds. [11] This helps limit your exposure to harsh chemicals, which aren’t good for your nails or hands.
    • Nagorska also recommends products like cuticle oil. “Use cuticle oil at least twice a day, especially before bedtime, to nourish your nails and cuticles and prevent hangnails.” [12]
    • Supplements like Biotin (a type of B vitamin) can also help to gradually strengthen your nails.

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.hi.edu/blog/5-types-of-manicures-whats-best-for-you/
      2. ↑ Smarlen Balbi. Nail Technician and Pedicurist. Expert Interview
      3. ↑ Smarlen Balbi. Nail Technician and Pedicurist. Expert Interview
      4. ↑ Smarlen Balbi. Nail Technician and Pedicurist. Expert Interview
      5. ↑ Smarlen Balbi. Nail Technician and Pedicurist. Expert Interview
      6. ↑ https://www.hercampus.com/school/west-chester/a-guide-to-the-different-types-of-manicures/
      7. ↑ https://www.raycochrane.co.uk/nails-nails-nails-all-about-different-types-of-manicures/
      8. ↑ https://youtu.be/cCPpn_bMNp8?t=254
      9. ↑ Smarlen Balbi. Nail Technician and Pedicurist. Expert Interview
      1. ↑ Smarlen Balbi. Nail Technician and Pedicurist. Expert Interview
      2. ↑ Marta Nagorska. Nail Artist. Expert Interview
      3. ↑ Marta Nagorska. Nail Artist. Expert Interview

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