Different manicure services.
A basic manicure from a nail technician includes cuticle trimming, nail shaping, buffing, polishing and trimming. Typically, a manicure begins by soaking the nails in a bath of warm water with a conditioning agent. This softens the cuticles, cleans the nails, and pampers the hands. The nail technician will begin trimming the nails and cuticles. Once that is complete, they'll make your nails rounded or squared, then buff and polish them.
After the essential services are complete, you’ll choose a polish: basic colour, gel polish, French manicure, or nail art. These have different prices and maintenance requirements.
Nail polish types.
Basic polish.
The humble regular nail polish is available applied without the need of special equipment or lamps—just the patience needed to let it dry. It's a bit of a dying treatment in salons with many people opting for longer-lasting formulas, but it's still a very popular choice for toe nails and those looking for a water-permeable nail polish. It’s also a great option for those who change their nail colour regularly.
Gel polish.
Gel polish is one of the most popular manicures for those in the salon. It is popular thanks to the incredible staying power, promising a chip-free manicure for 2+ weeks and a glossy finish that doesn’t dull. It’s definitely more of a faff though—removal is more difficult than regular polish.
Biab.
Builder in a bottle (BIAB) has skyrocketed in popularity in recent years, with more nail salons offering it. It's a type of soft gel that is thicker than regular gel making it even longer-lasting and more durable than gel polish. It’s become one of the best options for nail biters hoping to break the habit and grow out their natural nails. Because of its strength and durability, BIAB can also be used to create nail enhancements as a false tip overlay or to create the tip using a nail form.
Common manicure techniques.
French Tips.
French tip nails refer to a classic nail look where the tips of the nails are painted white against a pinkish nude base colour. The idea behind it is to enhance the natural look of the nails, but the style has evolved quite a bit over time. Nowadays, you can find French manicures in a variety of bold and unexpected colour combinations.
Gel nails.
Gel nails dry fast and are hardened under a special lamp; this is what helps them to last a full two weeks and can save you money on basic manicures.
Acrylic nails.
An acrylic mixture is mixed during your manicure, overlaid on top of your natural nails, and then extended to your desired length. This can be ideal for nails that don’t grow well or break off. Maintenance for acrylic nails is required every two weeks.
Nail refill.
After the initial manicure, a “fill” is needed every two weeks. Nail refilling is less expensive than a complete acrylic manicure. Also, you don’t need another complete manicure for three to six months. It depends on your lifestyle and the wear and tear. A sign that it’s time for a complete acrylic manicure is when you begin to see multiple air pockets under the layer of acrylic. Until then, you only need refilling to maintain your beautiful look
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Which type of manicure is the best solution for you? Ask yourself these questions:
- How much can you afford? Consider the initial manicure and maintenance.
- How often do you want to devote time to going to the salon?
- What's the occasion? Is it for daily wear or a special occasion?
- What's your goal? To enhance your natural nails or alter your look?