A Guide to Every Type of Manicure Out There
Every Type of Manicure, Explained
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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.