What is manicure: types, techniques and fashion trends

Well-groomed, neat hands create a pleasant impression of a woman, emphasizing her individuality and adding elegance. With the help of beautiful nails, representatives of the fair sex can demonstrate a sense of style and excellent taste. A systematic trip to a nail salon has already become a habit for most women, because thanks to the work of the master, they not only feel confident, but also take care of their health.

Manicure is a comprehensive procedure for caring for the skin of hands and nails, consisting of their hygienic treatment and decoration with decorative products. Manicure includes the following actions:

therapeutic strengthening baths;
removing the old coating of the nail plate;
cuticle treatment;
giving nails a beautiful shape;
massage of hands using scrubs, masks, moisturizing creams;
formation of the nail bed, its opening;
removal of rough skin;
nail extensions;
coating;
decorating nails with special elements (rhinestones, foil, thermal film).

Most often, manicure refers to the direct treatment of nails, but the procedure also involves tidying up the skin around them. The hygienic component of care allows you to avoid problems such as:

hangnails;
cracks;
fragility and thinness of the plates;
dryness;
splitting of nails;
ingrowth, etc.

In relation to the cuticle, there are two types of manicure:

Trimming (classic) is one of the most popular methods provided in any nail salon. When performing it, a bath is used to soften the skin of the hands and a set of metal tools. With their help, using mechanical movements, the master removes cuticles, removes the keratinized layer of epithelium from the skin ridges and lengthens the nail bed. Trimming manicure is considered the most unsafe, since during the procedure it is easy to touch nerve endings, damage capillaries, and cause infection through small cuts.
Untrimmed (European) is a safe option for processing cuticles that does not involve their removal. The master applies modern cosmetic products to the skin, softening and “absorbing” the cuticles. After some time, using an orange stick, they move away or peel off, depending on the degree of hardness. After such treatment, the growth of the cuticle slows down, and with each new application of the lotion it becomes softer and more pliable. However, the nails do not look as neat as after the classic procedure, and the effect does not last long.

Hygienic manicure involves carrying out restorative, moisturizing, corrective procedures that act as a preventive measure for nail problems. This type of care includes Japanese and Brazilian methods.

Japanese manicure

Its main goal is to improve the health of the nail plate and hand skin. When performing it, only materials of natural origin are used: wood, ceramics, suede, beeswax, etc. The step-by-step procedure looks like this:

The master assesses the condition of the hands and diagnoses the disease.
Complete disinfection is carried out.
A mineral bath is made, then the nails and skin are treated with special lotions and serums.
A strengthening paste is applied to the plates, which smoothes the surface, filling all the cracks.
The cuticle is softened with oil from lotus seeds, vanilla, algae, then pushed back with an orange stick.

The main disadvantage of Japanese manicure is its high cost. Masters who master this technique are not found in every salon.

French shops offer two types of stencils:

Crescent;
Triangle.

You can find other options in specialized departments of manicure accessories. Homemade preparations allow you to experiment with the shape of the stencil. This is their main positive aspect of use. The negative aspect of homemade stencils is the loss of time creating blanks.

Modern types of lunar manicure acquire new colors. Previously, this concept meant painting the nail plate with a mirror image of a standard French coat. The color of the varnish applied to the nail in the area of the hole is a tone or two lighter than the color of the varnish on the rest of the nail plate. Today, the color scheme used when performing this type of nail coloring is very diverse, from bright light green and purple to matte black and silver. It’s not difficult to create a unique image with this type of manicure using a thin brush (professional approach) and the stencils mentioned above.

Brazilian manicure

Brazilian nail treatments are faster than other types. It is performed with a one-time set consisting of:

gloves already coated with the necessary leather treatment products;
wooden stick;
files.

The wizard acts in the following order:

Prepares hands by removing old coating and treating skin with antiseptic.
He takes out a file from the set and gives the nail plates the desired shape.
Puts gloves on the client, making sure that the product inside them is distributed evenly. Leave it on for 5-7 minutes.
Releases fingertips one at a time, gradually working the cuticles on each nail.
He takes off his gloves and wipes off the remaining cream with a napkin.
Massages hands and applies polish if necessary.

The Brazilian method is safe and suitable for women with sensitive skin. The product in the gloves whitens the nails and makes them stronger. However, the result will not be as pronounced as with a classic manicure.

Design

For lovers of beautiful nails, design is of no small importance, so there are a huge number of varieties. A monochromatic coating is boring and often gets boring. After all, what good can come from monotony?

Therefore, stylists have developed all sorts of manicure styles. The most common today are:

stamping;
applying the design using an airbrush;
inlay with stones, rhinestones;
design with foil, lace, sliders;
brush drawings;

The choice is huge, and most importantly, there is plenty to choose from. When you choose it, the main thing is to find something “yours”, or try something new every time.

French manicure

These nails are a kind of classic, unchanging and unshakable. It will go well with any outfit and will remain the most famous around the world, forever. Even when something new comes to replace it, the French style does not become less popular.

It looks like this: the entire nail is covered with a natural base, a delicate pink, beige color, imitating a natural nail, and the tip of the nail plate is outlined in white in the shape of a “smile.”

If you get good at it and have a few skills, you can easily do it at home, on your own. Nowadays, French is made in any color, bright or calm, it doesn’t matter, but the name remains the same.

Holes

Many people call this design a reverse French manicure, since here it is not the outer edge of the nail that stands out in color, but the inner one, which is adjacent to the base of the nail.

The same semicircle is drawn, sometimes it is filled with a certain color, and in other cases it is not. Making the holes yourself is much more difficult than a French one; many people fail to cope with this task, as they stain the cuticle.

Gradient

The design is performed exclusively using a special device called an airbrush. They are used by nail technicians in beauty salons.

At home, such a design can be made using an ordinary sponge; several colors are applied to it, mixed together, and a nail or half is soaked with this mixture on the sponge. The result is a multitude of colors that seamlessly intertwine with each other.

This method is less complicated than applying a design with a brush. If you are making a gradient on a short nail, it is better to place all the lines diagonally so that the nail visually appears longer.

Design with lace

These nails are given to brides on the most important day of their lives. With this design, the nail plate gets a beautiful appearance that goes well with a luxurious outfit.

A delicate design can be made by applying thin lace, but such material should not be purchased in hardware stores, since the fabric is very dense.

Manufacturers took care of this and developed a special lace for nail technicians. The lace is applied to the nail and a top coat is applied to remove any unevenness.

Stamping

Stamping is a disk on which patterns are applied. They are filled with gel paint and applied to the nail. It is important to make the consistency of the varnish not too liquid so that the pattern is clear and not smeared.

If you have the right preparation, applying such a design can only take a few minutes from the artist.

Hand massage

Hand massage is the final stage of manicure. It stimulates blood circulation, relieves muscle fatigue, helps cope with stress and improves mood. There are several types of massage for hand care:

Finger massage. The master applies the cream to the skin and gently massages the muscles of the fingers, alternately stroking and pressing on them. Then he rotates them and moves them in different directions, pulling them towards himself in turn. No operation should be painful.
Hand massage includes strong rubbing from the fingertips to the elbow, superficial stroking on both sides of the arm, kneading the wrist with soft circular movements.
General massage involves massaging the entire palm, working out the joints of the hand and fingers, rubbing the muscle tissue on the pads, intensively rubbing in moisturizer and lotions

SPA treatments

If the skin of your hands is dry and rough, and your nails are breaking and peeling, you should pay attention to spa care. The essence of the procedure is complete relaxation of the body. Scented candles, essential oils are used here, and soothing music is played. This manicure takes longer than a traditional one, since all actions are performed measuredly.

Spa treatments include:

paraffin baths;
acupressure;
softening the cuticles with a special solution;
removal of keratinized epithelium with a scrub;
restorative wrap;
vitamin masks;
nail plate whitening;
applying moisturizer or serum.

This type of manicure will not give a lasting effect after one visit to the master. If your nails are neglected, getting them in order can take from 5 to 10 procedures. But after going through the whole range of services, your hands will look well-groomed for much longer.

Fashion for colors

Types of manicure surprise with their diversity. The final result of each depends on the choice of nail polish color. Wedding manicures are traditionally performed using white enamel, while French manicures are performed using light beige, white and pale pink varnish. Standard nail coating involves the use of fashionable shades and colors. This season, dark gray tones are especially relevant, used as an alternative to boring black and dark brown. The elegance and subtlety of dark gray varnish complement the versatility of this color. The coating is perfect for a number of cases.

“This winter, varnish with a holographic shine in turquoise tones is in demand. Manicurists are experimenting with this coating, applying it using the ombre technique.”

Baths for hands and nails

Baths are paraffin therapy for skin and nails, which has a therapeutic, preventive and softening effect. Nutrients and restorative substances can be added to the water depending on the problem that needs to be solved. Baths are made for:

strengthening the nail plate;
increased growth;
whitening;
getting rid of lamination;
giving a healthy shine;
skin healing.

There are several basics for performing paraffin therapy on hands:

Oily. Recommended for dry hands and brittle nails that need hydration and nutrition. The oil can be special, purchased at a pharmacy, or regular olive oil. It is heated in a water bath and vitamins, salt and other components are added to it.
Saline. This base is considered the most common, as it is easy to prepare and produces a lasting strengthening effect. There are different types of salt used, from table salt to mineral salt.
Herbal. Baths based on hypoallergenic herbs fight skin diseases and restore the structure of the nail. The most popular decoctions for this procedure are chamomile, mint, string, dandelion and plantain.

Another type of hand skin care is a hot manicure, where you also need to dip your fingers into the bath, but there is a peculiarity here - the temperature of the treatment agent should always be kept at around 40⁰C. For this purpose, special devices are used to maintain heat. After the hot procedure, the skin becomes soft and velvety, the cuticle can be easily removed and pushed back without the use of nippers.

Types of manicure by technique

There are more than two dozen of them, and they can be grouped according to different features and intensity of care for hands, nails and cuticles. Also, many masters combine stages from different types of manicure in their work, depending on the needs of each client. For some, a dry manicure is suitable, for others, a European unedged manicure can be recommended, and for a third, a hot manicure or paraffin therapy.

Having understood the types of manicure, it will be easier for you to create a personal care program or a scheme for working with clients if you are a master.

There are the following types of manicure:

Hardware dry
Classic edged
European unedged
File manicure;
SPA manicure
Hot manicure
Basic or mini manicure
Japanese
Brazilian
Children's
Deluxe
Paraffin therapy

Hardware dry

Hardware dry manicure is recommended not only as a regular care procedure, but also for medical indications, for example, with ingrown and growing nails, after fungal diseases, and with a number of pathologies of the structure and shape of the plates.

It is characterized by speed of execution - 30-40 minutes, and safety due to the lack of contact with cutting tools. It is performed using a milling machine with different attachments for each stage of the procedure. Dry. During operation, the cutters rotate at an average speed of 3 to 30 thousand revolutions in two directions - forward and reverse, forward and back.

First, the cuticle is lifted with a ball, cone or cylinder, then the pterygium is cleaned with a needle or truncated cone, the cuticle is removed with a ball nozzle and the side ridges are processed with a cone or needle. The plate and the skin around it are polished with a silicone or fabric polisher. These are the main attachments that will be useful for beginners at the start.

Read more about hardware manicure and the main mistakes made by both masters and beginners.

Classic edged

The most popular version of the procedure using cutting instruments is scissors and tweezers. Because of this, it is also the most traumatic.

After disinfecting and shaping the nails, steam them in a bath and remove the cuticles with scissors or tweezers. Before applying varnish, be sure to use a dehydrator and degreaser to remove excess moisture.

For closely located vessels, experienced professionals recommend European or hardware manicure to avoid unnecessary injury. The trimmed option is suitable for heavily overgrown cuticles and rough side ridges, as it allows you to completely remove the excess.

Trimmed classic manicure - how to do it correctly

European unedged

It is a supporting procedure and is recommended for well-groomed or in good condition nails and cuticles. Not suitable for a starter option or in advanced cases.

The procedure involves applying a cuticle softener to the skin. Then the skin is peeled back with an orange stick, wiped with a napkin, and treated with cosmetics and care products. Safe and fast type of manicure - no contact with cutting tools.

Unedged European manicure - execution technology

Saw

A safe nail treatment technique in which the side ridges and cuticles are processed with special safe files. File manicure is considered a type of European manicure, but lately it has increasingly emerged as an independent technique.

The main advantages of file manicure include:

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 compromised, filing manicure is one of those techniques that minimizes the risk of infection;
Improving cuticle quality. Regular file manicure slows down the growth of the cuticle and makes it softer.

File manicure has no contraindications.

We have already talked about how to perform a file manicure in NAILS magazine, so we will look at the step-by-step instructions very briefly:

Processing begins with the side rollers - they are sanded with a file with short movements;
After the rollers, the cuticle is lifted with an orange stick;
The raised skin is also sanded with a file without the tool coming into contact with the nail.

There is no need to soak your hands or apply remover - all manipulations are carried out on dry skin.

What is a file manicure and how is it done?

Japanese

New in the nail industry. The essence of the procedure is not only to improve the appearance of the nails, but also to provide gentle care using only natural materials and natural extracts. This makes the plate harder and more elastic.

Types and technologies of Japanese manicure for nail care and treatment

The master does not use metal tools, only suede, ceramics, and wooden sticks. Cosmetics for this procedure are also called pharmaceutical products. Natural beauty and health are the highest priority aspects in Japanese manicure.

Brazilian

It is a variety of European unedged. The master uses a ready-made disposable kit, which includes an orange stick, a nail file and gloves filled with cream. The cream contains nourishing, moisturizing and regenerating components, as well as oils, calcium and keratin. Hands are placed in gloves, and after the cuticle is softened, it is removed with an orange stick.

How is a Brazilian manicure done and what is it?

SPA manicure

The procedure combines active and relaxing hand and nail care with the application of varnish and design.

The stages of implementation and the cosmetics used differ from salon to salon. The purpose of such a manicure is to restore the water balance of the skin, make it soft, rejuvenate, and eliminate dryness and brittleness of the nails. During the procedure, oils, salts, scrubs, herbs, exposure to heat and light are used. Traditionally, the procedure includes a hand bath, peeling, paraffin therapy, masks, cream application, and nail care with special products. Spa manicure can last up to 3 hours.

Types of SPA manicure, how it is done and necessary cosmetics

Paraffin therapy

It can be used in combination with a SPA manicure or can be considered as a separate care procedure to moisturize and soften the nutrition of the skin of the hands and nails. Cream or lotion is applied to the skin of the hands, then they are immersed in wax heated to 50 degrees, and placed in plastic and fabric gloves. Leave for 20-30 minutes.

You can add herbal infusion, aroma oil, extract, or fruit component to the heated wax. The combined effect of heat and wax under polyethylene and fabric gloves transforms the skin. The procedure is indicated in the off-season, for dry, tired skin, and for mild rheumatoid pain. More information about paraffin therapy can be found in the section “Paraffin therapy.

Paraffin therapy: everything you need to know about this useful procedure

Delux

It is a combination of a basic manicure with paraffin therapy and aromatherapy treatments. It is done up to the elbows and above. After disinfection, hands are immersed in the bath. This is followed by peeling to the elbows, paraffin therapy and aromatherapy masks, correction of cuticles and plates, massage and varnishing.

Basic or mini manicure

A basic or hygienic manicure is a set of procedures that must be performed at least once a month in order to maintain a healthy and well-groomed appearance of nails. It is often called a mini-manicure, which includes minimal but most important components of care - peeling, massage, correction of the shape of nails and cuticles, strengthening and nourishing the nail plate, base coat before applying varnish.

Children's

To form a beautiful nail shape, you should pay attention to your child’s manicure from childhood. The length is removed with scissors and the ends are lightly polished. Hands are immersed in a warm bath for 5-7 minutes, and then softening oil or cream is applied, the cuticle is pushed back with an orange stick, and a light massage is performed. Afterwards the coating is applied. It is not recommended to do an edged children's manicure.

Male

The main requirement is the naturalness and accuracy of the result. Instead of varnish - a transparent composition with a matte texture. The basis of care is the classic edged, hardware or European manicure options. It will take on average a quarter more time than for women due to thicker and rougher skin. This is ideal.

Men's manicure - technology and necessary tools

Men perceive the procedure rather as a necessity, and most often seek professional help in exceptional cases - before important events or after heavy loads on their hands.

Hot

A large amount of warmed cream, lotion or oil is used as a hand bath. The procedure is healthier and more effective than a spa manicure.

Indicated for very dry, cracking skin, in the off-season, with frequent contact with chemical detergents. Heals, restores, moisturizes the skin within 15-20 minutes of exposure. It is characterized by high cost.

Hot manicure - how to do it, what products are needed

Therapeutic manicure

Therapeutic manicure is prescribed for people suffering from:

ingrown nails;
fragility, thinness and lamination of nail plates;
fungus;
chapped and dry skin;
deep cracks in the hands.

This type of care is performed by specialists with medical education according to the following algorithm:

Cleansing the skin of hands and nails, disinfection.
Placing hands in a bath with a composition selected based on the disease.
Hardware nail treatment.
Application of a health-improving coating to the plates.
Massage.
Skin moisturizing.

Therapeutic manicure is more expensive than a classic manicure and is not suitable for those who have wounds, purulent formations or allergic manifestations on their hands.

How to choose a lamp for manicure?

A lamp is a necessary thing when creating a manicure with gel polish. They come in several types and are divided by type of radiation:

Ultraviolet manicure lamps. Inside there are fluorescent lamps that emit ultraviolet light. These are the cheapest lamps and are suitable for beginners. Remember that the radiating element inside needs to be changed every two to three months.
LED lamps. These lamps contain LEDs. This option is used most often by craftsmen. They are not cheap, but they are superior to UV lamps in power.
CCFL lamps . There are gas lamps inside. When an electric current passes through this gas, the lamp emits the light necessary for the varnish to harden. Such lamps last for several years and consume little electricity.
Hybrid lamps for manicure . Hybrid lamps combine all three technologies mentioned above and reduce the curing time of gel polish. They are expensive, but among them you can also find a budget option.

The power of the lamp does not depend on its type. All devices are divided into 9-, 12-, 18-, 36- and 45 - 54 watt.

Nail extensions

Extensions help women quickly get long, beautifully shaped nails. The service is provided in any nail service studio; you just need to decide which way to extend your nails: using tips or forms.

For tips

Tips are artificial blanks in the form of future nails of the desired shape. They are attached to the plate using an adhesive base, dried and decorated. They are made of plastic, polyflex or nylon. The differences between materials are in their reliability, methods of adhesion, elasticity, and modeling capabilities.

Pros:

suitable for any length of your nail;
durable and strong;
done quickly;
in case of injury, the plastic template simply peels off without harming your own nail;
large selection of shapes.

Minuses:

nails look artificial after the procedure;
the tip of the nail turns out to be thick, which creates inconvenience and does not look so aesthetically pleasing;
when using low-quality materials, you can damage the structure of your nail;
After removing the tips, the nail plate becomes thinner.

Required materials and equipment:

tips and tip cutters;
adhesive base;
UV lamp;
brushes, files, pushers, nippers, scissors;
degreaser;
gel thinner;
cotton swabs;
brush for removing dust.

On forms

The shape is a kind of backing with a small window for the nail. The master applies modeling gel to this window, which, after hardening, becomes the free edge of the plate. The form is deleted after the procedure.

Pros:

nails look natural;
no need to sharpen your own nail, injuring it;
you can create any bends and shapes, change the direction of growth.

Minuses:

The procedure requires a length of the free edge of the nail of at least 2 mm;
if your nail is in poor condition, this type of extension will not work;
not strong enough.

Required materials and equipment:

manicure set (buffs, wooden stick, files, etc.);
disposable or reusable forms;
primer
gel (base, modeling, finishing);
degreaser;
glue.

Types of manicure by design features and materials

Types of manicure briefly based on design features and materials used:

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

French

In a professional environment it is called “French”. It is distinguished by naturalness, elegance and versatility. Suitable for any occasion and outfit. It was invented in 1976 by the founder of the Orly brand. The main emphasis is on the white tip. The rest is painted clear, light pink or beige. For short nails, masters often use tips for French extensions. Varieties of this design include reverse French and moon manicure.

Design options for a French jacket - a selection of ideas

Art French

A branch in the direction of French manicure, where the emphasis is on a non-standard combination of colors in a contrasting or complementary range. Experiment by combining yellow with purple, black with red, blue with white. For more ideas, try using a color wheel. Decorate the ends with additional decor.

American

The nails are given an elongated oval shape. Bright, rich tones of varnish or paint are used - scarlet, crimson, cherry, burgundy. These two features distinguish this option from the rest. It is recommended to select the color to match the color of the lipstick with a difference of a maximum of 2 tones.

Spanish

A distinctive characteristic is the bright, catchy color of the varnish in combination with graphic vertical stripes. It visually corrects and lengthens the shape of short nails. The most popular option is two horizontal wide stripes of contrasting shades on one nail.

Thermal varnishes - how to choose and use

Powder, using acrylic powder

Colored, transparent, with a metallic sheen, the powder is especially popular due to its practicality in application and incomparable durability. The manicure lasts 4 weeks, does not wear off, does not lose color, and has an interesting texture. The powder comes with a gel base. After applying the foundation, your finger is dipped into the powder, dried in a UV lamp, and then the residue is brushed off with a brush. Powder is also used to further strengthen the nail plate. Can be applied in several layers.

You can make a powder design by drawing a design or pattern with gel polish or paint, dipping the nail in the powder, and then drying it in a lamp.

Acrylic nail modeling and design with colored acrylic powders

Manicure with gel polish and gel strengthening

The most durable type of manicure. The procedure uses a three-phase system - base, gel polish or gel and top coat. Nails are polished, degreased, a base is applied and dried in a UV or LED lamp. Then comes varnishing in one or two layers and drying in a lamp. The work is covered with topcoat, dried in a lamp and the top sticky layer is removed. In a manicure with gel polish, it is very important to seal the ends, so it will last almost twice as long. The results last for 2-3 weeks.

Layers of coating in manicure - what are they, how to apply them correctly

If the plates are thin and brittle, you can strengthen them with gel. They do not perform extensions; the product is applied only to natural nails. Under the gel coating, its own length grows without chipping or delamination.

Nail art

This is the decoration or painting of nails in different styles and techniques. Combine with gel or gel polish manicure, which ensures the durability of the design for several weeks. Nail art is performed using varnish, paints, art materials and textures that are popular in the nail industry from season to season.

Nail art is indispensable for a festive manicure, allowing you to create a bright, spectacular look. For every day, you can choose design styles with muted shades and graphic solutions.

Nail decoration

After completing the hygienic treatment, the master begins decorating the nail plate. The method of nail decoration depends on:

woman's personal preferences;
nail conditions;
master's capabilities.

Decoration can consist only of applying a base in the form of varnish, gel or shellac, or it can contain an individual design. The following are used as decoration elements:

stencils of different shapes (hearts, stars, spirals, etc.);
beads and rhinestones;
special sand or sugar;
sequins;
melange shavings;
voluminous carvings;
magnetic pigment;
sparkles, etc.

There are many types of decorative manicure:

French manicure - medium-length nails in the shape of a soft square, covered with a base base in a natural shade: pink, beige, milky. At the tip of the plate, a “smile” is displayed in white colors. This method looks natural, aesthetically pleasing, emphasizing elegance and femininity. French is a classic, suitable for any style, but not capable of surprising.
American manicure - long, oval-shaped nails are painted in a bright color, usually red, and match the shade of lipstick. The varnish is applied directly to the plate without pre-strengthening it.
Manicure gel polish (Shellac) is a durable coating that allows you to consolidate the effect of well-groomed nails for up to 4 weeks. It combines the properties of varnish and gel: it remains durable without damaging the plate. First, the master applies a strengthening base, then several layers of coating, including the finishing one. Each layer must be dried under an ultraviolet lamp.
Spanish manicure involves decorating your nails with bright colors and stripes that visually lengthen your fingers. You can use an unlimited number of colors, the main thing is that horizontal and/or vertical stripes are outlined on the plates. The Spanish method encourages non-standard combinations of shades.
Lunar manicure is reminiscent of the French version, but instead of a “smile,” a hole stands out at the base of the nail plate. The element is displayed using a special stencil in a color that contrasts with the shade of the rest of the nail.
Negative space or naked manicure. A transparent color base is applied to the nail, on which all kinds of decor are then painted using stencils or stickers. The main feature is that there should be more “bare” space on the nail than decorated. To prevent the coating from seeming boring, use bright colors and intricate shapes.
“Night sky” or shiny manicure. The effect of a twinkling starry sky is created on the nails by applying sparkles, glitter, shimmer, shining minerals, and mica to them. Made in blue, violet, light blue shades.
Ombre (gradient) is the arrangement of several colors on the nail at once, smoothly transitioning into each other. Shades can be close or contrasting, the main thing is a blurred transition between them. The gradient can be filled in both vertical and horizontal directions or diagonally.
Glass nails or “broken glass”. Using pieces of foil and holographic film, the artist creates a pattern on a single-color nail that resembles shards of glass. Particles can be arranged either in a chaotic manner or arranged into a specific element in the form of a mosaic stained glass window, for example.
Nude – nails of any length and shape are covered with a pastel shade of varnish, as close as possible to the color of the skin. However, they do not have to be monochromatic; they may contain a gradient, delicate subtle patterns and various decorative elements.
Artistic, Chinese manicure. With this method of decoration, each nail plate is painted separately with an individual design, usually associated with flowers and plants. The master must have high artistic skills and know how the brush behaves on a particular surface. The design looks good only on long nails.
Stamping is the creation of patterns on plates using silicone impressions, a kind of “stamping”. Special stamping kits are sold, with their help you can apply stripes, ornaments, flowers, honeycombs, etc. to your nails.
Nail art is a unique art of creating an individual design on nails. The master draws ornaments, attaches rhinestones, beads, jewelry, sculpts figured patterns, etc. With high-quality work, this type of manicure looks the most luxurious.
Extravagant designs are made to stand out from the crowd. Nails may have a non-standard shape, drawings that attract attention, “gaps” in the form of holes may form on the coating, flowers or insects the size of real representatives of flora and fauna may grow on the nails.

Types of nail plate coatings

In ancient times, coating was limited to applying simple varnish, and then with a small choice of palette. Today, everything has changed, because there are different application techniques, types of coatings and other things.

Women can use long-term coatings, but there is only one drawback: you need to visit a nail specialist or purchase all these expensive devices for self-application.

Also, you cannot apply gel polish just like that, without certain knowledge and skills, as there is a risk of damage to the nail plate.

Regular varnish

The most fragile and short-lived type of manicure. Every woman can apply it at home, herself.

The variety is simply off the charts, not only is there a huge variety of colors and shades, but now the manufacturer offers us to choose the structure and the presence of any element already in the bubble itself.

For example, magnetic, with sparkles, sand, large elements. The design is a worthy advantage. However, there are also disadvantages:

short durability;
liquid texture that tends to spread on the nail;
long waiting time for drying.

Gel polishes

Every woman would prefer to wear the coating for a long time, since some do not have enough time to do their nails at home or often visit a nail specialist - this is the best option.

In this case, it is better for her to give preference to gel polishes. This option is an excellent alternative to regular varnish. Has many advantages :

a layer of gel polish will strengthen the nail;
the nails will shine and shimmer for a long time after coating;
due to its dense structure, it will not chip off from the edge of the nails;
the application does not cause any harm, since the master does not injure the nail with careful filing.

Shellac

The concepts of “shellac” and “gel polish” are identical, the only thing is that gel polish is the general name for the products of any company, but shellac is the name of a specific company that brought such a coating to the world level.

Other companies and manufacturers do not have the right to use such a name, referring it to their products. Advantages of shellac:

wears steadfastly;
not afraid of moisture;
tends to stay on nails for up to two weeks, some wear it even longer;
does not rub off.

Just like gel polish, dry exclusively with ice or a UV lamp.

Acrylic

All of the above coating methods were exclusively surface coatings intended for an aesthetically beautiful appearance. But as for acrylic, nail modeling is always involved.

Its masters use it to strengthen, build up, or extend the nail to give it the desired shape. When working with acrylate it is possible to achieve:

narrower or wider nails;
strength and durability of the nail plate;
correction of the desired shape.

In order to give the nail density, and subsequently a beautiful aesthetic appearance, acrylic can be used under gel polish.

Using acrylic or gel, the surface of the nail becomes smooth, the shape is beautiful and correct. And also, the bonus is that such nails last even longer than regular gel polish.

Requirements for performing manicure in the salon and at home

In order for the nail care procedure to be as safe as possible, it is necessary to follow a number of rules:

All instruments used must be treated with an antiseptic. If they are in an individual package, then this package must be opened immediately before the procedure.
Consumables in the form of napkins and orange sticks are disposable.
Using only high quality materials.
If you have hand diseases, manicure cannot be performed.
The master must work in gloves, his table must be clean and tidy.
All tools and devices must be used strictly for their intended purpose.

Manicure is a useful procedure that tidies up your nails and prevents the development of diseases. Thanks to modern technologies, hand hygiene can be as safe as possible, and decoration can give the owner of a manicure individuality and uniqueness.

Stages of American nail design:

Nail cleaning, disinfection, degreasing.
Applying the main tone - any varnish of your choice in light, pastel colors (beige, soft pink).
Waiting for the base varnish to dry completely.
Gluing stencils.
Applying a different tone of varnish.

You can perform a manicure in a number of ways. The main thing is that it should have bright contrasts. If you decide to perform an American-style manicure using gel polishes, make sure you have special equipment.