Manicures used to be simple and limited to the use of ordinary nail polish. Today, however, the possibilities of manicures have greatly expanded, offering many techniques for a variety of purposes. Want long-lasting and shiny nails? Soft gel is the perfect choice. Need to smooth your nails and strengthen them? Hard gel is a great option. Dreaming of longer length? Consider sculpted nails. These are just a few popular types of manicures. Learn all you need to know about the different types of manicures and their purposes.
1. Plain nail polish
A manicure with conventional nail polish, whether at home or in a salon, is often part of everyday grooming. Traditional nail polishes are used for it.
If you have your manicure done by a professional, the technician will clean your cuticles, file and shape your nails, apply a base coat, followed by two to three coats of coloured polish, and finish it all off with a top coat. As well as a single colour coat, regular nail polish is ideal for artistic nail designs. However, it's important to remember to give the polish time to dry - it usually takes 20-30 minutes.
Tip from Global Fashion: Soaking your nails before a manicure with regular polish used to be considered the norm, but now we advise avoiding it. When nails are soaked, their nail bed expands. Once the nail polish is applied and dries, the nails return to their normal size, causing the coating to crack. This reduces the wear time of the manicure.
Who it is suitable for
A regular polish manicure is a great choice for those who prefer to do their manicures at home, are looking for a quick and affordable salon visit, or appreciate being able to remove polish quickly and easily at home.
How long regular nail polish lasts on nails
Unless you soak your nails beforehand, a manicure with regular nail polish can last anywhere from one to two weeks.
How to remove
The most convenient thing about regular nail polish is the ease of removing it. It is enough to dip your finger in nail polish remover or moisten a cotton disc with acetone and gently wipe off the polish.
If you have your manicure done by a professional, the technician will clean your cuticles, file and shape your nails, apply a base coat, followed by two to three coats of coloured polish, and finish it all off with a top coat. As well as a single colour coat, regular nail polish is ideal for artistic nail designs. However, it's important to remember to give the polish time to dry - it usually takes 20-30 minutes.
Tip from Global Fashion: Soaking your nails before a manicure with regular polish used to be considered the norm, but now we advise avoiding it. When nails are soaked, their nail bed expands. Once the nail polish is applied and dries, the nails return to their normal size, causing the coating to crack. This reduces the wear time of the manicure.
Who it is suitable for
A regular polish manicure is a great choice for those who prefer to do their manicures at home, are looking for a quick and affordable salon visit, or appreciate being able to remove polish quickly and easily at home.
How long regular nail polish lasts on nails
Unless you soak your nails beforehand, a manicure with regular nail polish can last anywhere from one to two weeks.
How to remove
The most convenient thing about regular nail polish is the ease of removing it. It is enough to dip your finger in nail polish remover or moisten a cotton disc with acetone and gently wipe off the polish.
2. Gel varnish
If the thought of chipping nail polish makes you shudder, try a gel polish manicure. Gel-lacquer is an innovative manicure product that combines the best features of both nail polish and gel extensions. Its unique formula polymerises under the influence of a special UV/LED lamp, providing long-lasting coverage and protection for your nails. Apply it with a brush in three stages: first apply the base coat, then the colour coat and top coat. After each application, place the nail under the lamp to cure.
For whom it is suitable
Gel lacquer manicure is the perfect choice for those who value minimal drying time and a long-lasting manicure. It maintains shine and prevents chipping for at least two weeks. However, if extra durability is important to you, it's worth considering that there are more robust options available. A gel polish manicure primarily provides rich colour, but it doesn't always give maximum durability.
How long gel polish lasts on nails
Usually, gel polish on nails lasts for about two weeks. However, if you go to an experienced and qualified manicurist, the result can be even longer lasting.
How to remove
Gel polish is often considered difficult to remove, but it has the advantage of being effortless. It is so porous that it can be easily removed with acetone and foil or a special manicure machine.
For whom it is suitable
Gel lacquer manicure is the perfect choice for those who value minimal drying time and a long-lasting manicure. It maintains shine and prevents chipping for at least two weeks. However, if extra durability is important to you, it's worth considering that there are more robust options available. A gel polish manicure primarily provides rich colour, but it doesn't always give maximum durability.
How long gel polish lasts on nails
Usually, gel polish on nails lasts for about two weeks. However, if you go to an experienced and qualified manicurist, the result can be even longer lasting.
How to remove
Gel polish is often considered difficult to remove, but it has the advantage of being effortless. It is so porous that it can be easily removed with acetone and foil or a special manicure machine.
BLACK ELITE gel lacquers provide high quality and a rich range of shades to realise the boldest manicure ideas. They are formulated in the USA and are hypoallergenic, making them the perfect choice for even the most sensitive nails.
---> The entire range of BLACK ELITE gel lacquers
3. Gel Tips
Beautiful and long nails are like a canvas for an artist, where you can implement the most exquisite nail art trends. There are many quality gel nail tips available on the market today.
Imagine a tipi that is applied to the natural nail before using acrylic or gel. Made of premium ABS plastic, these tips provide strength and durability. Soft gel tips, on the other hand, are applied to the natural nail using a thicker layer of gel, ensuring perfect coverage. They cover the entire surface of the nail up to the cuticle, giving it a finished and well-groomed look.
Imagine a tipi that is applied to the natural nail before using acrylic or gel. Made of premium ABS plastic, these tips provide strength and durability. Soft gel tips, on the other hand, are applied to the natural nail using a thicker layer of gel, ensuring perfect coverage. They cover the entire surface of the nail up to the cuticle, giving it a finished and well-groomed look.
Who it's suitable for
When it comes to nail art, soft gel tips are a real lifesaver. Not only are they useful for anyone who wants to be on trend this season, but they are especially valuable for those who want to bring the most fashionable ideas to life. Why? Because they add length, giving more room for creative designs.
What's more, these tips can be either flat or curved to fit the individual nail plate. Whether you have higher or lower nail tops, they can even out the shape of your nails, making your manicure even more flawless.
How long gel tips last on your nails
Gel tips usually last about three weeks.
How to remove
Gel tips are soft gel products, which makes removing them a fairly simple process. To do this, you can use acetone and foil. However, it is worth bearing in mind that such types are made up of several layers of gel, so it is recommended to carefully saw them to thinness beforehand. But remember that too deep sawing can damage the natural nail, so for safe removal it is better to contact a professional.
4. Solid gel
The hard gel is significantly denser than its soft analogue. It is like honey, thick and resilient. It is usually transparent or has a neutral shade to blend naturally with the colour of the natural nail. Like soft gel, it includes a base coat, colour and top coat, which are cured under a UV or LED lamp.
Who it's suitable for
Hard gel is the ideal solution for strengthening nails and creating a perfectly smooth surface. Thanks to its thick consistency, it smooths out irregularities perfectly, giving your nails the perfect look and protection.
How long hard gel lasts on nails
Hard gel nails retain their shape and colour longer than soft gel nails. They usually last for at least three weeks and sometimes up to a month, ensuring that your manicure is permanent and long-lasting. However, over time, nails begin to regrow and the natural growth process may require correction. Nevertheless, even after weeks of use, a solid gel manicure will still look fresh and attractive.
How to remove
Although hard gel is not porous, removing it requires the use of a special manicure machine.
Who it's suitable for
Hard gel is the ideal solution for strengthening nails and creating a perfectly smooth surface. Thanks to its thick consistency, it smooths out irregularities perfectly, giving your nails the perfect look and protection.
How long hard gel lasts on nails
Hard gel nails retain their shape and colour longer than soft gel nails. They usually last for at least three weeks and sometimes up to a month, ensuring that your manicure is permanent and long-lasting. However, over time, nails begin to regrow and the natural growth process may require correction. Nevertheless, even after weeks of use, a solid gel manicure will still look fresh and attractive.
How to remove
Although hard gel is not porous, removing it requires the use of a special manicure machine.
5. Acrylic
Acrylic is a mixture of a liquid (monomer) and a powder (polymer) that comes together when applied to the nail and hardens on its own, creating a strong and durable artificial nail. Although in everyday speech we may refer to the components of this mixture as ‘liquid’ and ‘powder’, to the average consumer it is simply ‘acrylic’. Whilst the final result may resemble gel, it is important to note that these are two different materials. Gel contains molecules that polymerise under UV light, allowing the craftsman to work with it until it is signalled to harden. In the case of acrylic, the process begins immediately and continues regardless of the presence of light. Three minutes after application, it is 95 per cent cured, and full polymerisation is complete in 24 hours.
Suitable for whom
Acrylic is the ideal choice for connoisseurs of strong nails. It gives your nails incredible durability, whereas gel can be less durable. What's more, acrylic makes it easy to create length, making it a great solution for lovers of spectacular manicures and nail art.
How long acrylic lasts on nails
Acrylic nails usually retain their beauty and strength for two or three weeks, but regular touch-ups are necessary to keep them looking perfect between salon visits.
How to remove
One of the safest methods of removing acrylic nails is to soak them in acetone. While this process may take longer than soaking soft gel, it ensures that your natural nails are preserved. Another option is to use a file: start with a coarse, 100 grit file to remove the bulk of the product and then move on to a fine, 400-600 grit file to get to the natural nail.
6. Acrylic powder
Acrylic powder is an advanced material with high technological characteristics, which provides strengthening of thin nail plate, protecting it from chipping and brittleness, as well as allows you to increase its length and give the desired shape. The strength and flexible texture of acrylic nail powder allow nail masters to use it effectively for smoothing deformed or damaged nail plates, modelling and correcting the shape of nails, as well as for creating a variety of nail art.
For whom it is suitable
Acrylic powder is ideal for those with short nails, as it does not add unnecessary length to them. Its strength and durability make it particularly suitable for active people who use their hands a lot.
How long acrylic powder lasts on nails
Acrylic powder is a reliable solution for busy people, allowing them to maintain a perfect manicure for up to a whole month. This method of nail extensions is especially appreciated by those who value their time and prefer to avoid frequent trips to the salon for repainting and correction.
How to remove
To remove the coating, it is recommended to start by carefully filing off the top layer. You can then dip your nails in acetone until the coating begins to peel off easily.
For whom it is suitable
Acrylic powder is ideal for those with short nails, as it does not add unnecessary length to them. Its strength and durability make it particularly suitable for active people who use their hands a lot.
How long acrylic powder lasts on nails
Acrylic powder is a reliable solution for busy people, allowing them to maintain a perfect manicure for up to a whole month. This method of nail extensions is especially appreciated by those who value their time and prefer to avoid frequent trips to the salon for repainting and correction.
How to remove
To remove the coating, it is recommended to start by carefully filing off the top layer. You can then dip your nails in acetone until the coating begins to peel off easily.
7. Sculpture Gel
Manicure with sculpture gel is a high-tech variation of gel nail extension. In this process, specialists create an elongated nail shape using special sculpting moulds that are attached to the natural nail. One of the key tools in this process is a gel fixative such as Builder Gel, which contains an oligomer - a combination of monomer and polymer. This allows the craftsman to avoid the need to mix products, as the gel is already in a convenient bottle and is easily applied to the nail, automatically levelling itself. Such gel does not leave sticky or dirty traces, which greatly simplifies the process of work.
To fix the nail mould to the natural nail, an ultraviolet or LED lamp is used to cure the gel. The mould is then removed and an additional layer of fixer is applied to the nail, which gives the nail the desired shape and provides extra strength. Although they are applied as a hard gel, they remain flexible like real nails, making them resistant to damage, brittleness and cracking
Who it's suitable for
For those whose nails have just started to grow in, it's important to remember that the shape of the nail plays a key role when creating a sculpted manicure. For this reason, those with very short nails may find it difficult to achieve the desired result.
How long sculpting gel lasts on the nails
Sculptured gel nails can last up to three weeks, depending on the durability of the material used. The manicure can remain gorgeous for this length of time thanks to quality products and the expertise of the manicurist.
How to remove
To safely remove sculpted nails, it is recommended to use a manicure cutter, just as you would when removing regular gel polish.
To fix the nail mould to the natural nail, an ultraviolet or LED lamp is used to cure the gel. The mould is then removed and an additional layer of fixer is applied to the nail, which gives the nail the desired shape and provides extra strength. Although they are applied as a hard gel, they remain flexible like real nails, making them resistant to damage, brittleness and cracking
Who it's suitable for
For those whose nails have just started to grow in, it's important to remember that the shape of the nail plays a key role when creating a sculpted manicure. For this reason, those with very short nails may find it difficult to achieve the desired result.
How long sculpting gel lasts on the nails
Sculptured gel nails can last up to three weeks, depending on the durability of the material used. The manicure can remain gorgeous for this length of time thanks to quality products and the expertise of the manicurist.
How to remove
To safely remove sculpted nails, it is recommended to use a manicure cutter, just as you would when removing regular gel polish.
Color Builder Gel is an innovative nail extension and modelling gel that allows you to create perfect manicure creations. With its high viscosity and stiffness, this gel provides a strong and durable nail finish, making it the preferred choice for the most demanding clients.
The self levelling gel formula and its excellent flowability make it easy to model and create the desired nail shape. Thanks to these properties, Color Builder Gel is easy and comfortable to work with, even for beginners in the field of manicure and pedicure.
This unique gel is also an ideal solution for correcting imperfections and irregularities on natural nails. It can be used to strengthen weak nails, shape correction or nail extensions, ensuring the highest quality results and the satisfaction of the most demanding clients.
Read also: Hard gel nail extensions - the key to perfect nails without chipping
