Different Types of Manicure Ideas with Images

A nail salon can offer you endless pampering possibilities. Just like our skin and hair, the nails are also in desperate need of attention for looking pretty and staying healthy. Unmaintained nails are a total turn-off irrespective of how good you look otherwise. But before booking your next session, you need to develop a clear idea of the different types of manicures which the salons offer. Read on to know more about the types so that you can select the ones that’s best for you.

Different Types of Manicures

1. Basic Manicure
2. French Manicure
3. Reverse French Manicure
4. Paraffin Manicure
5. Acrylic Manicure
6. American Manicure
7. Mirror Manicure
8. Shellac Manicure
9. Gel Manicure
10. Vinylux Manicure
11. Hot Stone Manicure
12. Brazilian Manicure
13. Dip Powder Manicure

1. Basic Manicure

First-timers can keep it sweet and simple with the fuss-free basic manicure. The entire process is a fast one and you can change over easily when bored.

• Time Requirement: Maximum 30 minutes
• Longevity: Up to seven days
• Chances of damage: No, as it can hydrate nails and boost up their health.
• Removal: Acetone or nail polish remover.

Steps to apply:

• Primarily, the manicurist will apply oil or lotion to your cuticles.
• Next, she will dip her hands in a dish filled with warm water for about five minutes.
• Your cuticles will be tamed on completion of the soaking period following which your hands shall be dried.
• You can convey your desired nail shape amongst square, oval, stiletto, or squoval forms and the manicurist will act accordingly.
• Now you will be pampered with a relaxing hand massage and next a base coat and two following coats of your choice of nail polish will be applied over your hand before finishing off with a clear topcoat.
• As the final step, your hands shall be placed under the nail dryer so that it dries out quickly.

2. French Manicure

You simply can’t go wrong with the chic and stylish French manicure which pairs well with absolutely all apparel choices. It imparts an iconic look and feels to your nails that cannot be contested by any other form of manicure.

• Time Requirement: Between 45 minutes to one hour.
• Longevity: One week with regular polish and two weeks with gel polish.
• Chances of damage: Minimal provided you seek out professional help.
• Removal: Nail polish removal for regular nail polish and acetone for gel nail polish.

Steps to apply:

• Soak your nails in a bowl of warm water to soften your cuticles.
• Once your nails have dried, push back the cuticles and apply a base coat in shades of cream, pale pink, or clear.
• After the base coat dries out completely, use white nail polish to paint your nail tips.
• Finally, wrap it off with a clear topcoat to help your manicure last longer.

3. Reverse French Manicure

This quirky variant of the classic French manicure uses two shades of nail paint. But the main difference lies in the fact that the moon of the nail is painted in white polish rather than the tip, as done under French manicure.

• Time Requirement: Between 45 minutes to an hour.
• Longevity: One week with regular polish and two weeks with gel polish.
• Chances of damage: It won’t damage your nail if you seek out professional help.
• Removal: Nail polish removal for regular nail polish and acetone for gel nail polish.

Steps to apply:

• File and shape your nails before taming your cuticles.
• Now coat your nails with clear or metallic nail paint.
• In the third step, choose a contrasting darker shade and swipe it down the center of your nails followed by two more swipes on each side of the center one. Here you will have to ensure that the color reaches the end of your nail bed.
• Finally, apply a top coat to seal your design in place.

4. Paraffin Manicure

Hydrate your skin with a paraffin manicure treatment which is best suited for people having extremely dry skin. Heat oozing out of the wax tends to increase blood circulation and opens up your pores. This type of manicure calls for special handling. Thus, it is advised to get it done from a professional nail spa.

• Time Requirement: Around 50 minutes.
• Longevity: Between one to two weeks.
• Chances of damage: Next to none.
• Removal: Simply soak off the manicure.

Steps to apply:

• Melt paraffin wax in a heating device and slightly cool it off.
• Treat your hands with oils and lotions at the backend while melting and cooling the paraffin wax.
• Now dip your palms completely in the melted wax and once your hand gets properly coated, remove and dry it.
• Again, dip your hand in the wax and allow it to dry again. Repeat this process 7 times and rest your hand for half an hour before removing the wax from your hands.
• On completion of the above steps, follow up with a normal manicure treatment comprising of massage, nail shaping, filing, and painting.

5. Acrylic Manicure

Acrylic manicure is the ultimate solution for people with short nails as it uses a blend of liquid monomer and powder polymer for forming a hard acrylic layer over your nail. It is always advised to get acrylic nails done by an expert manicurist to completely camouflage it as your original nail.

• Time Requirement: One hour thirty minutes.
• Longevity: Between two to three weeks.
• Chances of damage: None, if it is both done and removed by a professional.
• Removal: Simply soak off the acrylic overlay with acetone.

Steps to apply:

• Initially the nails are buffered and then the mixture is brushed over the rough surface
• This is next molded to get your desired shape.
• Once the nail has dried out it is filed and painted in your favorite hues for that perfect look.

6. American Manicure

Stand out at casual occasions with a natural-looking American manicure which offers a substantial difference from the loud French variant. It can make your nails look more natural with the shinier and more translucent polishes used in American manicures.

• Time Requirement: Between 45 minutes to an hour.
• Longevity: Up to two weeks.
• Chances of damage: Next to none.
• Removal: Simply soak it off.

Steps to apply:

• Apply a clear base and let it dry.
• Now brush pink, nude, or beige nail polish as the base coat all over your nails.
• Use manicure strips to apply off-white or ivory shade as the tip color.
• Once the first coat has dried out, follow it up with a second coat.
• Finish off with a clear topcoat and add embellishments or rhinestones to make your nails look prettier.

7. Mirror Manicure

Millennials can be seen going gaga over chrome manicure which can impart a strikingly attractive look to your nails. This trend was first noticed in different social media pages and has evolved into the most demanded service of nail salons. If you wish to channel your love for bling, then a mirror manicure can serve as your best bet.

• Time Requirement: 45 minutes to an hour.
• Longevity: One week with regular polish and two weeks with gel polish.
• Chances of damage: Low if you seek out professional help.
• Removal: Nail polish removal for regular nail polish and acetone for gel nail polish.

Steps to apply:

• Your hands will be dipped in warm water followed by lotion or oil massage, cuticle taming, and nail shaping.
• Now the nails are painted in a color of your choice, preferably in a dark shade.
• The painted nails are dried under UV light following which chrome powder or pigment is sprinkled over.
• Now the nails are brushed to impart an even mirror look.
• A clear topcoat is applied to seal over the chrome pigment and the nails are again dried under a UV lamp.

8. Shellac Manicure

If you feel too lazy to regularly care for your nails, then a shellac manicure can come off as extremely handy. It serves as the best blend of regular and gel nail polish which guarantees top-notch durability and brings down chances of chipping.

• Time Requirement: Up to 45 minutes.
• Longevity: Up to three weeks.
• Chances of damage: Incorrect removal or peeling can damage your nails.
• Removal: Acetone

Steps to apply:

• Your nails are first cleaned, filed, and shaped by the manicurist.
• The next two coats of shellac nail polish are applied.
• Once the nails are dried under a shellac manicure-specific drier, it is finished with a top coat so that your nail polish lasts longer.

9. Gel Manicure

Does your nail polish tend to chip off right after leaving the salon? If you have an affirmative response, then you need to try out the ultra-durable and pocket-friendly gel manicure.

• Time Requirement: Maximum 45 minutes.
• Longevity: Two to three weeks.
• Chances of damage: It won’t adversely impact your nail health if you seek out professional help during removal.
• Removal: Acetone soak-off although a salon visit is recommended.

Steps to apply:

• The basic steps of a manicure are done initially where the cuticles are pushed back, nails are filed, trimmed, and shaped.
• Now a base coat is applied followed by two coats of gel polish.
• Each coal is dried under a UV lamp before applying the second one.

10. Vinylux Manicure

Wish to change your nail look to match your vibe each day? Opt for a Vinylux manicure which has incredible staying capacity compared to the basic one. You can further embellish your nails with stickers and stones.

• Time Requirement: About half an hour.
• Longevity: Up to one week.
• Chances of damage: Next to none.
• Removal: Wipe it away easily with a plastic-backed cotton pad soaked in CND nourishing remover or other acetone-based polish removers.

Steps to apply:

• Soften your cuticles by applying some oil or lotion and dip your hands in lukewarm water for a few minutes.
• Once you remove your hands from the water, your cuticles are pushed back following which you need to file, trim and shape your nails.
• Vinylux nail polish has adhesive ingredients and thus you don’t need to apply any basecoat.
• Simply apply two coats without drying your nails under a UV lamp as this nail polish doesn’t take long to dry.

11. Hot Stone Manicure

Pamper your hands after a hectic week with a stone manicure which can help you relax while also making your nails look prettier. While you can try it yourself, it is always advisable to seek out the assistance of a nail technician for the first time.

• Time Requirement: Approximately 50 minutes to one hour.
• Chances of damage: Zero as this service restores your hands while offering therapeutic treatment.
• Removal: Simply take off the hot stone and wipe clean all oil depositions in your hand.

Steps to apply:

• The stones are boiled in water until they reach a temperature of 120 degrees Celsius.
• Dip your hands in lukewarm water with essential oil while the stones are being heated.
• Now remove the stone from boiling water and place it on your hands once the temperature drops to around 56 degrees.
• Massage your hands with stones by applying pressure at certain points and relaxing your muscles.
• Continue with the massage for 15 minutes and follow it up with oil or lotion.

12. Brazilian Manicure

Dry or Brazilian manicure is a unique beauty treatment that can offer the right amount of nutrition, softness, and hydration to your cuticles, nails, and hands. If you suffer from brittle nail problems, then this type of manicure can serve as a match made in heaven.

• Time Requirement: Half an hour.
• Chances of damage: None as it hydrates skin.
• Removal: Acetone or nail polish remover.

Steps to apply:

• Clean your hands, file, and trim your nails.
• Now put on the specialized Brazilian manicure gloves which are infused with active botanical ingredients for imparting deep nourishment to your nails.
• Let it sit for about 15 minutes and then remove the glove once the cuticle is ready.
• Paint the nails while it is still hydrated for allowing the enamel to last longer and look prettier.

13. Dip Powder Manicure

Dip manicures are actually the perfect hybrid between fake nails and a manicure which are easier to apply and tags along with a natural look. This lightweight overlay of resin and powder is perfect for sealing up split or broken nails.

• Time Requirement: Around 40 minutes.
• Longevity: Up to three weeks.
• Chances of damage: None
• Removal: Soak it off

Steps to apply:

• First, the nails are cleaned and filed to remove any polish or excess oil.
• Apply a base coat and follow it up with a colored powder of your choice while the nails are still wet.
• Keep on repeating the above process until you attain the desired level of pigmentation. Don’t forget to tap off excess powder between two coats.
• Finish off with a top coat and activator having a glossy texture to bring out your powder manicure.

While getting ready for an upcoming party, we rarely impart much importance to how our hands and nails look. But poorly maintained hands can create a very bad first impression especially if you are dressed impressively otherwise. A regular manicure can also make your hand skin look younger and the muscles relaxed for boosting up your confidence.