From french to gels, acrylic to paraffin, there’s a reason why manicures are up there as one of the most popular beauty treatments for women today. Whether you like them short and sweet, square, almond, oval or squoval, there’s something about a freshly manicured hand that can lift your mood in a matter of moments, not to mention add the perfect finishing touch to any outfit.
What to expect?
A typical manicure starts with your hands being soaked to soften the skin and cuticles, followed by a buff down to even out your nails, and then a file to ensure they are all the same shape and size. There are several add-on’s that can be included, such as a hand and arm massage or a paraffin treatment, though your run-of-the-mill mani usually just consists of the soak, trim and buff, followed by either a lick of colour or cuticle oil and leaving them au naturale.
Whether you like them short and sweet, square, almond, oval or squoval, there’s something about a freshly manicured hand that can lift your mood in a matter of moments, not to mention add the perfect finishing touch to any outfit.
Today the list of manicures on any treatment menu is endless and picking the right one for you is a matter of personal preference. Pick from natural and glossy, long-lasting and bold or high fashion and fake. If long talons are your thing, acrylic nails are a great option. Here, false nail extensions are glued onto the tips of your real nails, and then sealed with a fast drying top coat which typically lasts up to a month, at which point you'll need to get them refilled. If you prefer a more natural look but struggle to keep your nails long without breaking or chipping, shellac or gel nails are a very popular choice. Coloured gel polish is applied straight onto your natural nail, and is then sealed with a UV light. Perfect if you’re in a rush, gel nails dry as soon as they’re placed under the light, and give you two weeks of chip-free colour.
Good to know
Nail art is also on the rise again. The process is the same as a traditional manicure but your manicurist will embellish your nails with detailed patterns or nail accessories. It's possible to adorn your nails with pretty much anything these days! Gemstones, coloured foil and even piercings are standard practice in most nail salons thanks to the nail art movement which has taken the beauty world by storm. Celebrities the world over are jumping on the colourful bandwagon and turning it into a viral trend. But whatever manicure ticks your box, you’ll certainly never run out of inspiration or ideas when it comes to choosing how to decorate your nails. With new trends and designs popping up everyday, it’s never too late to try something new.
