- Gel nails
- A manicure that uses gel polish cured under a UV or LED lamp. Gel lasts roughly two to three weeks without chipping and keeps a high-gloss finish.
- Acrylic nails
- Artificial nail extensions made by combining a liquid monomer and a powder polymer that hardens in the air. Acrylics add length and strength and are shaped before polishing.
- Dip powder
- A manicure where nails are coated in adhesive and dipped into colored powder, then sealed. Dip powder is durable, does not need a lamp to cure, and lasts several weeks.
- BIAB
- Builder in a bottle. A thick gel applied like polish to strengthen natural nails or add slight length, cured under a lamp. Popular as a lower-damage alternative to acrylics.
- Gel-X
- A soft gel nail extension system that bonds a pre-shaped tip to the natural nail with gel and cures it under a lamp. Gel-X adds length with less filing than acrylic.
- French manicure
- A classic look with a natural or pink base and a contrasting tip, usually white, along the free edge of the nail. Modern variations use color or thin micro tips.
- Ombre nails
- A gradient effect where one color fades smoothly into another across the nail. A soft pink-to-white ombre is often called baby boomer nails.
- Chrome nails
- A mirror-like metallic finish created by rubbing a fine chrome powder over cured gel. Chrome can look like polished metal or a softer pearl depending on the base color.
- Cuticle
- The thin layer of skin at the base of the nail where it meets the finger. Cuticle care, pushing back rather than cutting, protects the nail from infection.
- Russian manicure
- A dry manicure technique that uses an electric file with fine bits to gently clean deep around and under the cuticle. It exposes more of the nail plate so gel or polish sits closer to the skin, giving an ultra-clean look and longer-lasting wear.
- Nail shapes
- The silhouette filed into the free edge. Common shapes include oval, almond, square, squoval, coffin or ballerina, and stiletto, each suiting different nail lengths.
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