What is a manicure, its types and popular nail design options

A manicure is a means to express your individual style and keep your hands healthy, not just a beauty procedure for your nails. There is a manicure to fit every preference, whether you want a more daring look or a more classic one.

Manicures can be done in many different ways, ranging from straightforward polish applications to elaborate nail art. Every variety has unique advantages and can be tailored to fit your style, mood, or event.

Whether you’re getting a professional manicure or doing it yourself, perusing the popular nail design options can serve as inspiration for your upcoming manicure. Your nails can be a creative canvas with countless possibilities.

Manicure	Description
Classic Manicure	A basic method involving soaking, shaping, and polishing nails.
Gel Manicure	Uses gel polish cured under UV light for a long-lasting finish.
French Manicure	Features a natural pink base with white tips for a classic look.
Shellac Manicure	A hybrid of gel and regular polish, providing durability and shine.
Nail Art	Decorative designs, including patterns, stickers, and embellishments.
Ombre Nails	A gradient effect blending colors from light to dark.

The main tasks of a manicure and the components of the procedure in the salon and at home

A manicure’s goals include providing thorough care for the hands’ skin, cuticles, and nails as well as painting, applying gel varnish, applying paint, and adding decorative accents to the nails.

The master or salon management will personally determine the list of components that make up the procedure.

• Removal of old coating
• Massage
• Hygienic and care baths
• Processing of nails and cuticles
• Skin care using cosmetics, masks, scrubs, oils, lotions, serums
• Extensions with gel, acrylic, acrylate
• Application of colored varnish, gel polish
• Creating individual designs using modern materials and textures

The first is meant for aesthetic and cosmetic care, and the second is recommended for issues with nails or hand skin, such as ingrown or overgrown nails, care for extremely dry and cracked skin, and removal of cuticles with nearby vessels to lessen cuticle trauma.

According to the sanitary rules and regulations for the master’s workspace and the materials used, every manipulation during a manicure must be carried out with a sterile instrument.

Basic stages of manicure step by step

Although there are various varieties of manicures, they are all connected by a standard set of steps that the practitioner must follow. Following the plan will help you save time and prevent bothersome errors, which is crucial for inexperienced workers and home service providers.

Let’s examine a detailed manicure regimen:

1. Treatment of the client"s and the master"s hands and nails with an antiseptic or disinfectant
2. Removal of the old coating
3. Shaping the free edge with a file or device
4. 5-15 minutes of hand steaming in a bath, or applying a cuticle remover for a dry manicure. Add sea salt, iodine, cosmetics, and essential oils to the bath at your discretion or in combination. Selected individually
5. Processing and removing the cuticle
6. Processing and grinding the side ridges
7. Polishing and grinding the nail plate
8. Stage of extension, strengthening, or correction with gel, biogel, acrylic, or acrylate of your choice
9. Coating with varnish or gel polish in two layers
10. Drying
11. Coating with top and sealing the tips, drying
12. Decor according to an individual design using different textures and materials
13. Cuticle treatment with oil or cream
14. Applying hand cream or lotion with a light massage for relaxation and better absorption of products
15. Cleaning, disinfection and sterilization of the instrument

Manicuring techniques vary in multiple phases. To ensure a high-quality procedure under all circumstances, the scheme is generally appropriate for both beginners and practicing masters.

Types of manicure by technique

There are over twenty of them, and they can be categorized based on the various aspects of their work and the level of attention they give to their hands, nails, and cuticles. Additionally, a lot of masters combine phases from various manicure styles in their work, based on what each client requires. Hardware dry will work for some people, European unedged hair will work for others, and hot manicures or paraffin therapy will work for a third.

If you are a master, it will be simpler for you to design a personal care regimen or a plan for working with clients now that you have an understanding of the various types of manicures.

The following categories of manicures exist:

• Hardware dry
• Classic trim
• European unedged
• Filing manicure;
• SPA manicure
• Hot manicure
• Basic or mini-manicure
• Japanese
• Brazilian
• Children"s
• Deluxe
• Paraffin therapy

Hardware dry

Hardware dry manicure is advised for medical reasons as well as routine maintenance, such as ingrown and growing nails, fungal infections, and various pathologies affecting the structure and form of the plates.

Its quick execution (30–40 minutes) and safety (no physical contact with cutting instruments) set it apart. A milling machine equipped with different attachments for every step of the process does it. arid. The cutters rotate in two directions—forward and backward and forward and reverse—at an average speed of 3 to 30 thousand revolutions per minute while they are in operation.

Initially, a ball, cone, or cylinder is used to lift the cuticle. Next, a needle or truncated cone is used to clean the pterygium. Finally, a ball attachment is used to remove the cuticle and a cone or needle is used to process the side ridges. Using a silicone or fabric polisher, the plate and the surrounding skin are polished. These are the primary attachments that will initially be helpful for novices.

Classic trim

The most widely used method involves the use of cutting instruments, such as tweezers and scissors. It is also the most traumatic as a result.

The nails are cleaned, shaped, and then steam-bathed to remove the cuticle using tweezers or scissors. It is essential to remove excess moisture with a dehydrator and degreaser before applying varnish.

To prevent needless harm, skilled artisans advise European or hardware manicure for vessels that are in close proximity. For severely overgrown cuticles and rough side ridges, the trimmed version works well because it lets you get rid of all excess.

European unedged

It is a maintenance procedure that is advised for cuticles and nails that are well-groomed or in good condition. Not appropriate for the first iteration and in complex situations.

Applying a softening agent to the cuticle’s skin is part of the process. Following that, the skin is smoothed with a napkin, moisturized, and pushed back with an orange stick. a quick and safe manicure that doesn’t involve any cutting.

Filing

A secure method of nail processing that involves using specific safe files to treat the cuticle and side ridges. Although filing is still regarded as a kind of European manicure, it has gained more recognition as a stand-alone technique in recent years.

Among the primary benefits of filing a manicure are:

• Safety. The skin is not cut, so there is no risk of damaging its integrity, which is especially important for girls with closely located vessels;
• Hygiene. Since the integrity of the skin is not violated, the file manicure is one of those techniques that minimizes the risk of infection;
• Improving the quality of the cuticle. Regular file manicure slows down the growth of the cuticle, makes it softer.

A file manicure has no known side effects.

Since NAILS magazine has already covered file manicure techniques, we won’t go into great detail here, just a quick rundown of the steps is as follows:

1. Processing begins with the side ridges – they are sanded with a file with short movements;
2. After the ridges, the cuticle is lifted with an orange stick;
3. The raised skin is also sanded with a file without contact of the instrument with the nail.

Hand manipulations are done on dry skin; there’s no need to soak them or use a remover.

Japanese

Fresh in the nail salon sector. The main goals of the process are to carefully maintain the nails using only natural materials and extracts, in addition to making them look better. By doing this, you can increase the plate’s elasticity and hardness.

The master only uses suede, ceramics, and wooden sticks—metal tools are not used by him. For this procedure, cosmetics are also referred to as pharmacy. A Japanese manicure places the utmost importance on natural beauty and health.

Brazilian

It’s a kind of unedged European. The master uses a pre-made, throwaway set that comes with gloves with a cream filler, an orange stick, and a nail file. The cream has oils, calcium, and keratin in addition to nutrients, moisturizers, and restorative ingredients. Putting on gloves, the cuticle is loosened and then peeled off using an orange stick.

SPA manicure

The process includes applying varnish and design to the hands and nails as well as providing active and soothing skin care.

Each salon has its own stages of execution and cosmetics that are used differently. Such a manicure aims to remove dryness and brittleness of nails, soften and rejuvenate the skin, and restore the skin’s water balance. Oils, salts, scrubs, herbs, heat, and light are used in the process. A hand bath, peeling, paraffin therapy, masks, cream application, and special product care for the nails are all part of the traditional procedure. A three-hour manicure at an SPA is possible.

Paraffin therapy

It can be used in conjunction with a spa manicure or as a stand-alone care procedure to soften and moisturize the skin around the hands and nails. After applying cream or lotion to the hands, they are covered in fabric and polyethylene gloves and dipped in wax that has been heated to 50 degrees. Take a twenty to thirty-minute break.

The heated wax can have fruit component, extract, aroma oil, and herbal infusion added to it. The intricate combination of heat and wax under fabric and polyethylene gloves changes the skin. In the off-season, the procedure is recommended for individuals with mild rheumatoid pain and dry, tired skin. The section "Paraffin therapy" contains more information about paraffin therapy.

Delux

It combines paraffin therapy and aromatherapy care techniques with a standard manicure. It is completed above and up to the elbows. The hands are cleaned and then submerged in a bath. The next steps include cuticle and plate correction, paraffin therapy, aromatherapy masks, peeling up to the elbows, massage, and varnish application.

Basic or mini-manicure

A basic manicure, also known as a hygienic manicure, is a series of required procedures that must be carried out at least once a month to keep nails looking healthy and presentable. It is frequently referred to as a "mini-manicure," consisting of the bare minimum but most crucial elements of nail and cuticle care: peeling, massaging, reshaping nails and cuticles, fortifying and nourishing the nail plate, and applying a base coat before varnish.

Children"s

In order to create a lovely nail shape, it’s important to consider the child’s early manicure. After cutting the length with scissors, the ends are gently polished. After soaking the hands in a warm bath for five to seven minutes, softening cream or oil is applied, the cuticle is pushed back using an orange stick, and a quick massage is given. Thereafter, a coating is put on. Doing a trimmed children’s manicure is not advised.

Male

A tidy and natural outcome is the primary requirement. A transparent composition with a matte texture in place of varnish. The traditional trimmed, hardware, or European manicure options form the foundation of care. Because of their rougher and denser skin, men will typically need a quarter longer to complete the process. This is the best-case scenario.

Males view the process more as a need, and they typically seek professional assistance in extreme circumstances, such as prior to significant events or following heavy lifting.

Hot

For a hand bath, a substantial quantity of heated cream, lotion, or oil is used. Compared to SPA manicures, the procedure is more practical and efficient.

Recommended for extremely dry, cracked skin that is frequently exposed to chemical detergents during the off-season. In 15 to 20 minutes of exposure, the skin is repaired, restored, and moisturized. characterized by a high price.

Types of manicure by design features and materials

Brief descriptions of manicure types based on materials and design elements:

• French
• Art French
• American
• Spanish
• Powder
• Wedding
• Business manicure for the office
• Gel polish or gel reinforcement
• Nail art

French

In the business world, it’s referred to as "French." naturalness, elegance, and adaptability define this trait. Fits with any outfit and any occasion. was created in 1976 by the person who started the Orly company. The white tip is the focal point. The remaining areas are painted beige, light pink, or transparent. French extension masters frequently use tips on short nails. The moon manicure and the reverse French are two variations of this design.

Art French

A branch toward the French manicure, where an unconventional color scheme in a range of complementary or contrasting hues is emphasized. Try combining black with red, blue with white, and yellow with purple. Use a color wheel to generate more ideas. Give the tips some extra decoration.

American

An oval-shaped extension is applied to nails. Vibrant, intense paint or varnish tones such as burgundy, raspberry, cherry, and scarlet are used. These two characteristics set this option apart from the others. It is advised to match the lipstick color to within a maximum of two tones of variation.

Spanish

A standout feature is the vivid, eye-catching varnish color combined with the striking vertical stripes. It lengthens and visually corrects the shape of short nails. The most common design consists of two broad, horizontal stripes on one nail that contrast in color.

Powder, using acrylic powder

Powder that is colored, transparent, and has a metallic sheen is particularly well-liked because of its unparalleled durability and application practicality. The manicure has an intriguing texture, lasts for four weeks, and does not fade or lose color. A gel base is included with the powder. The finger is first covered with the base, then it is dipped in powder, dried under a UV lamp, and the residue is brushed off. Additionally, powder is applied to reinforce the nail plate even more. Applyable in multiple layers.

A powder design can be created by using paint or gel polish to draw an image or pattern on the nail, dipping it in powder, and drying it under a lamp.

Manicure with gel polish and strengthening gel

The longest-lasting kind of manicure. The process involves a three-phase system: base, gel polish, or gel and top coat. The base is applied, polished, degreased, and dried under a UV or LED lamp. Next, one or two coats of varnish are applied, and they are allowed to dry under a lamp. After applying a top layer and drying under a lamp, the work’s sticky top layer is removed. Sealing the tips of a gel manicure is essential if you want it to last nearly twice as long. The effect lasts for two to three weeks.

Gel can be used to strengthen thin, brittle plates. The product is only applied to natural nails; they are not utilized for extensions. Its own length expands beneath the gel covering without cracking or delamination.

Nail art

This is the painting or decorating of nails using various methods and styles. When combined with a gel manicure or gel polish manicure, the design will remain durable for several weeks. Varnish, paints, art supplies, and textures that are in style for the season are used to create nail art.

For a festive manicure, nail art is essential because it lets you create a vivid, eye-catching look. You can select graphic solutions and design styles with subdued hues for each day.

A manicure is a type of beauty treatment that concentrates on cleaning, shaping, and frequently painting the nails on the hands and feet. There are several varieties, each with unique appearances and advantages, including basic, French, gel, and acrylic manicures. Nail designs that allow for personal expression and style are popular and include basic solid colors, complex patterns, and decorative elements like glitter or rhinestones.

Types and features of materials for decorating, extending and strengthening nails

Varnishes, gel paints, flock, rhinestones, powder, foil, mélange, and glitter are used as decorating tools. Gel, acrylic, and acrylate forms and tips for extension are used in design. Gel varnish, acrylic, biogel, gel, and acrylate are all used for strengthening.

Each of the materials mentioned above has advantages and disadvantages of its own when it comes to design and decor. Let’s take a closer look at them.

Apply a varnish. enables you to apply various textures and shades to your nails. Either one or two colors, with big and tiny glitter, are possible. Long-lasting drying that erases quickly. Since it can be easily removed with liquid, either with or without acetone, you can frequently alter the colors and patterns.

Gel coat. gives stronger, more resilient nail polish that, when properly sealed at the tips, can last up to three weeks. thanks to its widespread use in the nail industry, offers a greater selection of patterns and textures.

Shellac. Gel polish with enhanced qualities and natural ingredients.

Powdered gel. You can work with the coating without using an LED or UV lamp. environmentally friendly coating.

Acrylic. utilized for nail correction and extension. The acrylic system is made up of a liquid that guarantees the powder’s polymerization and a powder that is a base or camouflage shade. The master must work with an exhaust hood or in a well-ventilated room due to its strong, disagreeable odor. Synthetic nails exhibit strength and durability. fearing contact with acetone and other solvents. can be filed down with a milling cutter or removed with liquid.

Gel. A more contemporary substitute for acrylic. utilized for thickening and shaping nails as well as nail extensions. has a viscous, dense texture. in a UV or LED lamp, cyanizes. One, two, or three components can make up a gel system: a base coat, a camouflage gel, and a top gel for shine. The application of primer and fine grinding are essential for nail adhesion.

Shine. An exquisite and captivating substance. can be both liquid and dry, have a glitter-like appearance, and grind to various sizes. Different glitters stick to nails differently: liquid and dry. about the different kinds of glitter and how to apply them.

Polygel, also known as acrylic. combines the benefits of acrylic and gel for hair extensions. It is more water- and solvent-resistant than acrylic and has a denser texture than gel. heals in a light source.

Biogel. used exclusively to straighten and strengthen nails. It is not feasible to increase their length because they are more springy and flexible. It is applied to the base and cured in an LED or UV lamp, just like gel polish. permits the growth of your own long nails under a layer of protection.

Glass fiber. Novel fiberglass material that can be extended and repaired.

Paint in acrylic. used to paint nails and apply designs. has a texture that is more liquid than gel polish. can be made lighter by diluting it with water. To strengthen the design, it was additionally dried under a lamp and then sealed with a top coat.

Forms below for an extension. The length of the nail is laid out on cardboard forms, which are stickers that are affixed beneath the nail at the desired angle. This reinforces the high point of the apex as well as the stressful side zones of the nail. Understanding the architecture of artificial nails is crucial to ensuring that they maintain their natural shape and do not "peck." Following extension, the lower form is taken out, and a file or milling cutter is used to file the nail.

Advice. Further nail tips featuring an anatomic adhesion zone. The material for extension is placed on top of the glue-attached tips, and following polymerization, the thickness and shape are filed. For novices, extending on tips is ideal. The process, which takes thirty minutes, results in a natural shape even before filing. When dealing with a high volume of clients, masters utilize tips to expedite the extension process. White French tips come in handy for quickly modeling a smile line.

Upper forms in case of an extension. Plastic forms and tips that can be reused. They are painted with gel or acrylic, which polymerizes when applied to the nail. After removing the upper form, the artificial material is filed to the appropriate size. You can use liquid forms or upper tips up to 250 times. To avoid smudges in the cuticle area, each form needs to be chosen in advance for the nail.

Types of manicure designs, ideas for holidays and every day

Sophisticated nail art designers have access to hundreds, even thousands, of designs in a wide range of colors and textures. For both everyday use and special occasions, styles, trends, and directions have been established. Their distinctions are contingent, and there is an endless supply of material on which to base experiments and inventiveness. Let’s look at some of the most well-liked concepts and trends that might serve as inspiration for you.

Moon-shaped manicure.

Thugs. This intriguing design resulted from combining the French and moon manicure techniques.

Gradient or ombre. A sponge is used to create a transition between two or three varnish shades that are either complementary or contrasting. Thought-provoking concepts and detailed instructions for creating an exquisite design gradient.

Inverse space (inverse space). When applying design, only transparent varnish is painted, allowing the natural nail to show through. Features of this kind of design with numerous illustrations and detailed instructions.

Artistically rendered painting. It is created in various ways with a thin brush and varnish or acrylic paint. provided by master illustrators. What supplies and equipment are required to apply painting in a manicure, and what you should know and be able to do.

Applications including sparkles, stucco molding, and rhinestones. It is possible to create a festive design with each of the available decor options. Rhinestones and glitter can cover the entire plate or just a portion of it can be used as décor for a single nail. Ideas for and instructions on how to do a rhinestone manicure.

Using a stamp. An already-made template with an embossed pattern or design that is used to apply paint or varnish, press a stamp into, and then use a stamp to transfer the design to the nail. The outcome is covered with a top after being dried under a lamp.

Stickers and sliders are used.

Aqua. The nail is submerged in a warm water bath to pre-create the design, which is then dried under a lamp and sealed with a top. You can mix and match different shades to create elegant color transitions with this design.

Use foil or film to create designs. After the varnish has dried, the design is laid out and secured with a top. A thick layer of transparent top coats pieces of foil to create a new manicure known as "broken glass."

Flock: Two layers of gel polish covered in fluffy sprinkles that are dried under a lamp. Velour is the name of the pattern—fluffy, velvet. Not very strong, spectacular, needs precise application, and a certain level of skill. enables the creation of knitted designs on your nails. Strict selection of flock is made to match the varnish’s shade in order to prevent color bald spots during wear. About the detailed flock manicure.

Pulverized, eclectic style. enables the creation of a unique, voluminous texture. The nail is covered in powder or melange after gel polish application, and it is then dried under a lamp. The material’s remnants are brushed aside. More about the appropriate application of powder and your options for nail art.

Mirrored style. The same mirror-like powder that has been finely ground is used. The powder is rubbed into the top layer and polished to a shine following the application of gel polish. can be one of three colors: rainbow, silver, or golden. Information about the rubbing technology and instructions for use.

Eye of the cat. The original technology used a magnet and gel polish composition with metallic powder. After applying "cat’s eye" gel polish, we run a magnet over the surface to add stripes, an eye pattern, or a unique shape. The layer is then dried under a lamp and covered with a top coat.

Knitted pattern. a stylish effect appropriate for the off-season and winter. Particularly well-liked in soft hues. A design featuring knitting and braids is created using paint or gel polish, then dusted with powder or flock and allowed to dry under a lamp. A powder brush is used to remove any leftover material. Detailed instructions and a list of materials needed to create a knit manicure.

Manicure in geometric shapes. applying geometric designs or arranging ornaments in a geometric pattern on a simple background. Numerous options for applying geometric manicure concepts and instructions.

Lace. Completed with stickers, painting, and stamping. It was common practice five years ago to adhere lace fragments to the nail and finish with a top coat. Lace can have an unexpressed transition and be colored in a complementary or contrasting hue. We discuss ideas for a lace openwork manicure and examine its characteristics in great detail.

Manicure using feng shui. contrasting one or more nails’ patterns, designs, and color shades with the hand’s other fingers to draw attention to them. For instance, painting the middle and ring fingers a different color is done because good fortune in relationships and business success are associated with them. We attract the things we need into our lives when we bring them to light. Feng Shui guidelines on color selection, finger placement, and design options included.

Shine.

You can find out about shade trends from the Pantone forecast bureau. Golden coral is the color that’s most in style in 2019. Furthermore, sixteen additional shades that can be incorporated into designs all year round are showcased on the bureau’s website.

We regularly update this section with new materials, reviews, and step-by-step instructions about manicures. Hopefully, you’ll discover something new for yourself.

If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section. We’ll work together to solve the issues you’ve presented.

Share with friends!

Popular on the topic Manicure

Acrylic nail modeling: essential knowledge for novices

Ideas for a brown manicure

The greatest designs and detailed instructions for space nail art

What distinguishes vegan nail polishes from conventional ones?

What is fiberglass, how to use it, and a step-by-step guide

Manicure and pedicure lamps: varieties, attributes, well-known brands

How to select and apply a coating remover

Ideas for gradient manicures

How to remove hangnails: products and techniques

Glitter manicure: materials, characteristics, and methods of application

Magazine Sections

Express your opinion or ask a question! Cancel reply

Manicures are a great way to take care of and enhance the look of your nails, reflecting your own style. There is a manicure to fit every taste, whether you like bold, artistic designs or classic, minimalistic patterns.

You can discover which kind of manicure best suits your needs and lifestyle by trying out various styles, such as basic, gel, and acrylic. Every variety has special advantages and can be tailored with different design choices.

With so many different nail designs to choose from, you can play around and use your manicure to showcase your unique style. Maintaining up to date knowledge of current trends guarantees that your nails will always look their best.

Video on the topic

TOP 5 necessary MATERIALS for Manicure. The most POPULAR Nail Designs. Nail design kit 🙂

Quick manicure WITHOUT a lamp. Analog of gel polish? | Titanium nails | DIP powder for allergy sufferers