A guide to choosing the right type of manicure for you

I remember the first time my mother took me for a manicure. I was about eight years old and absolutely mesmerized by all the colors of the little nail polish bottles lined up on the wall. All I had to do was choose a color and let the manicure do her thing. But the first time I took my teenage daughter for a manicure, the possibilities were endless. Did she want gel? Dip powder? Tips? Acrylic? Those were the questions I was asked as I checked her in for her appointment.

The world of manicures and all the variations available today continues to grow and evolve. For some, it’s a no-brainer as to which manicure to get. But for others it becomes a contemplation problem. So the next time you book a manicure appointment and don’t know what type of manicure to get, consider this your guide, packed with insights from nail experts, including how much they cost and how long they last. to make it easier to decide on the right type of manicure for you.

Meet our expert

Classic manicure

For those who prefer simple nails, a classic manicure is often the best choice, whether done at home or in the salon. This quick manicure includes a water treatment to soften the cuticles for basic cuticle care, along with shaping the nails and applying a base coat, regular nail polish, and a top coat. “It’s perfect for someone looking for natural-looking nails with minimal effort,” says Lin. “It’s like getting a buff manicure for shine, but with the addition of nail polish.”

While the classic manicure works for all nail shapes and lengths, Lin likes it best for short to medium lengths. “But because regular nail polish can chip easily, reapplication is necessary about every five to seven days,” she adds.

Costs: $15 – $60

How long it takes: 5 to 7 days

Removal: Wipe off nail polish by rubbing a soaked cotton ball or round nail polish remover on the nails. You may have to repeat the process a few times to remove all the nail polish.

Soft gel manicure

A step up from a classic manicure is the soft gel manicure, ideal for those who tend to be a little rougher on their hands and nails and need a manicure that has staying power. A soft gel manicure follows the same steps as a traditional manicure, but is based on gel-based nail polish that is cured under UV or ultraviolet rays. LED light for a long-lasting, glossy finish. “The main advantage is longevity,” says Hanna.

Soft gel manicures include a base coat, color coat, and top coat, and they are often the manicure of choice for all nail lengths and shapes. “They’re a good option if you want a manicure that will last longer than regular nail polish, but still have a natural look,” says Smith. But unlike other types of manicures, they do not add strength or length to the nails. And with a smear soft gel manicure, which Hanna says is easier to remove than hard gels, there is virtually no damage to the natural nail beds as long as it is done correctly. You can also add nail art to the mix with a gel manicure, as the long-lasting formulas are easy to work with.

Costs: $40 – $100

How long it takes: About two weeks, depending on your lifestyle and nail strength

Removal: Requires you to soak the nails in acetone and then wrap them in foil. Although you can remove gel polish yourself at home, if not done properly it can weaken nails and make them brittle. That’s why Lin says professional removal is best.

Hard gel manicure

A thicker type of gel manicure, hard gel is built on the natural nail to add strength. As a soft gel manicure, hard gel requires a base and top coat and is cured with UV or LED light. Most hard gels are neutral in color, think white, pink, nude or beige, so gel polish can be applied over them to add a pop of color. “The manicure gives a longer-lasting, long-lasting finish and is perfect if you want to strengthen the natural nails and wear them long and in a more dramatic shape,” says Hanna.

Smith shares that hard gel manicures are great if so rough on your hands and need extra nail strength. “Plus, they allow the natural nails to grow with extra support while still providing a natural look.”

Costs: $50 to $70+

How long it takes: About three weeks
Removal: Archived using an e-file. “Because of the strength and durability of hard gel, the removal process can weaken the natural nail and cause thinning of the nail plate and breakage if done incorrectly,” says Lin.

If you want the lasting power of a gel manicure, but with a lot more power and… nails as hard as stonean acrylic manicure is probably best. “Acrylic is basically an extension method manicure that uses acrylic powder and a monomer solution built into the nail to create a hard, artificial nail,” explains Smith. Then any type nail polish can be layered over it.

The 90-minute manicure, which follows the basic steps of a gel manicure but builds up the nails with acrylic, provides a super strong base that helps the polish stay in place. Hanna adds that acrylic manicures are also good for creating super long nails and shapes such as almond and stiletto.

Costs: $50 to $100 and up, depending on length

How long it takes: Up to three weeks

Removal: Like hard gel, an acrylic manicure is removed by filing it off with an electric file. Any excess length is cut off.

Dip powder manicure

Dip powder manicures (also called dip) are similar to hard gel and acrylic manicures, but require several layers of a finely colored powder consisting of a mix of acrylic and resin in which the nails are dipped several times (after the nails have been shaped and the cuticles have been cared for). The dip then adheres to the nails with a special activator glue. As the nails dry, the powder hardens. Then an e-file smooths the dip so it doesn’t become thick, bumpy, or lumpy. Finally, a clear top coat is applied for a glossy finish.

Dip powder manicures are intricate manicures that, like acrylics, Smith says adhere best if the natural nail bed is roughened up a bit before application.

If you’re looking for a type of manicure that can help strengthen and grow nails, Smith says dip manicures accomplish that without a extension point. “They’re also a good option if you use your hands a lot but like shorter nails,” she adds.

Costs: $50+

How long it takes: Two to three weeks
Removal: The dip must be filed away and then the remaining color is soaked off with acetone. If done correctly, the removal process should not damage the natural nails.

Sculpted nails

Smith says to think of sculpted nails as an application technique and not as a type of manicure. “It’s what we call the process of applying acrylic or polygel to the nails,” she adds. Sculpted nails include preparation and filing the natural nails before nail sculpting, stickers are attached to the end of each nail. Acrylic or polygel is then applied to the natural nail bed, creating an extension-like effect that is then cured with an LED or UV lamp, as with a gel manicure.

Highly durable sculpted manicures shape natural-looking nails, giving way to strong nails with a longer lifespan. Therefore, they are sought after by those who are hard on their nails and hands, but still want length while allowing the natural nails to grow. Hanna says sculpted nails are also perfect if you want extra long, dramatic nails, such as stiletto or coffin nails. “This type of manicure is highly customizable, but requires regular maintenance.”

Costs: $100+

How long it takes: Up to four weeks

Removal: The gel used in sculpted nails must first be removed with an electric file and then the remainder soaked off with acetone.

Soft gel tips

Like sculpted nails, soft gel tips can add length to natural nails using a special type of builder gel. As Hanna explains, soft gel tips are pre-formed, full-coverage tips that are bonded with gel and then cured with an LED or UV lamp. Most soft gel tips come in different shapes, lengths and sizes, making them less custom-made than sculpted nails but still providing a lightweight, natural look. “Soft gel tips also make it possible natural nails to grow and be healthy while having strong extension on top,” adds Smith. “Because there is little to no damage to the nail beds, I highly recommend gel extensions over any other extension method.”

Soft gel tips offer a quick way to achieve length without all the details that go into sculpting. Hanna says they’re ideal for someone who wants length but prefers a lighter, more flexible option than acrylic, “which is why these tips work best for longer, almond or square nails.”

Costs: $75 to $90

How long it takes: Two to three weeks
Removal: Soft gel tips should be soaked with acetone and then wrapped in acetone-soaked cotton with foil, but Smith says they come off easily. Some nail specialists file the nails first, while others do not.

The bottom line

Choosing between the different types of manicures can be tricky, but to make the process easier, consider whether you want length, shape, durability, or a combination of the three. From there, your budget and results will also influence your decision. Ultimately, just because you try one type of manicure doesn’t mean you’re committed to it for life. The nice thing about all the different types of manicures is that you can change from one nail appointment to the next.