A Guide to Every Type of Manicure Out There

Every Type of Manicure, Explained

You can get many different types of manicures at the salon.

We're breaking down six of the most common manicure styles out there.

Learn about basic, gel, Russian, gel extension, acrylic, and dip-powder manicures.

A quick glance at the nail-salon service menu might be more confusing than clarifying. You'll find a number of different options, from spa treatments to manicure and pedicure types — and while it's nice to have options, it's tricky when you don't know exactly what they entail.

You're probably familiar with the fundamentals, like regular and gel manicures — but when terms like "Russian manicure" and "gel extensions" get thrown into the mix, things can get a little confusing. There are about six different manicure types available to you: basic, gel, acrylic, Russian, dip powder, and gel extensions. Knowing what each is is essential toward ensuring you leave the salon happy. Even if you already have a signature nail look, you may just discover your new go-to beauty treatment.

For a full breakdown of the different types of manicures out there, keep scrolling.

Image Source: Getty / Matteo Valle

Basic Manicure

The basic manicure is the most rudimentary option listed on the menu. It lays the groundwork for all other manicure styles. With a basic manicure, you'll experience the standard treatments that come with cleaning and shaping, such as trimming, filing, buffing, and removing cuticles. More often than not, you'll also receive a hand massage. Many people may not realise that getting nail polish applied at the end of this type of manicure is completely optional — you can simply go in for just the shaping treatment and leave with bare nails.

If you do opt for polish, the nail technician will most likely apply a base coat, followed by two coats of nail colour, and a top coat. Then, they'll set you up at a hand dryer where you'll sit until it's safe to leave. While it differs from place to place, a standard manicure is always going to be the cheapest option on the menu — usually around $20. Nail polish with this kind of manicure usually lasts about a week, though minimal chipping can occur before that time. When you want to remove it, you can do so at home with regular nail polish remover.

Gel Manicure

Gel is another popular type of manicure. It's very similar to a basic manicure in the prep. Differences begin at the polish application step. Instead of regular nail lacquer, special gel nail polish is applied to your bare nail and cured under a UV lamp for a few seconds. Each layer of gel polish needs to be set under the light before another can be applied. Because the light cures the nail polish in seconds, there is no added drying time at the end of this manicure.

The main benefit of a gel manicure is its durability. Gel nail polish can last upwards of two weeks without chipping. However, because it's so strong, you have to remove it a certain way, or else you risk damageing your natural nails. Again, the price of gel manis varies by salon, but they're usually about $10 or $20 more than the salon's regular manicure, so $30 to $50.

Acrylic Manicure

An acrylic manicure involves nail extensions made from "a thin layer of acrylic powder mixed with acrylic liquid, applied over a plastic nail tip," Jenny Bui, Cardi B's manicurists, says. It's used to make nails longer and temporarily harden them. Your manicurist should still shape your nails as usual before applying the acrylic extensions on top of them.

Once the acrylics are applied, polish and nail-art designs can be applied to each fingertip. The entire process should take around an hour and the set should last you about two or three weeks before you need to get them refilled. If absolutely necessary, you can try to remove your acrylic nails at home by soaking them, but it's recommended you go to a salon to get help from a professional. Because it's more involved, prepare to pay around $100 for an acrylic manicure.

Russian Manicure

If you're not familiar with russian manicures, you're going to want to do your research before getting one as the treatment is one of the more controversial manicure kinds. "A russian manicure is a technique, not a design," celebrity manicurist Elle Gerstein says. "The technique involves very extreme and extensive cuticle care [and requires a manicurist] to have almost surgeon-like precision."

The result makes your nails look almost photoshopped because of how clean they are, but cutting your cuticles is not recommended by most dermatologists and even some manicurists as it leaves your nail-beds susceptible to infections. But, if you want to give it a try anyway, prepare to sit for about an hour or two without nail polish application. Results last about two to three weeks and the cost can range anywhere from $50 to $100.

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Dip Powder Manicure

A dip powder manicure is another popular option, right up there with gel and regular manis. The prep for a dip powder mani is the same as a standard manicure with trimming, shaping, and filing. To apply the nail colour, a clear base coat is applied before the fingernail is dipped into a pigmented powder — there is no brushing coloured polish onto the nail itself. Excess powder is removed from the nail and the process is repeated. To finish, a clear top coat is applied for shine and the manicure is done. There are no fans or UV lamps involved.

Dip powder manicures create a hard coating on your nail temporarily making them strong and keeping them from breaking. The results can last around two to three weeks, depending on how careful you are with your nails. Removal is similar to that of gel nail polish and can be done at home or in the salon. The cost of a dip powder manicure varies, but prepare to shell out anywhere from $40 to $70.

Gel Extension Manicure

As the name suggests, gel extensions are another style of manicure that adds length to your natural nails. It gives a look that's similar to acrylics, but the extensions are thinner and often more natural-looking. There are different types of gel extensions, similar to nail polish brands, but the most common one is Apres Gel-X. During this manicure, your nail tech will start with the basic prep before adhering a clear soft gel overlay onto your nail and curing it with a UV light.

Celebrity manicurist Britney Tokyo says the manicure can last anywhere from two to four weeks. When it's time to remove them, you can go back to the salon or try to soak the nails off at home. The cost of this manicure varies but because it's still fairly new, you might pay anywhere from $100 to $200 for nails with designs on them.