Getting a spa manicure is one of the best ways to give yourself a rewarding treat. But going into the nail salon, you might not have a clue which manicure service to request. Sure, you can ask the technician for his or her professional opinion, but wouldn’t it be better to choose the type of manicure you’re sure to love? Wouldn’t it be more fun to be able to ask for the color and style that meshes with your sense of style, and that makes your nails truly stand out? This guide should help you do that very thing.
What follows is all you need to know about manicures and nail art. After reading, you should be able to walk into the salon confident that you know exactly which manicure service to mention.
Basic Manicure
A basic or simple manicure is the most common and cheapest manicure service to ask for. If you are new to getting manicures or hesitant to ask for an advanced service, the basic manicure is perfect for you.
Once you ask for a basic manicure, the technician will go to work. Your hands will be cocooned in warm towels after applying a bit of oil or cream to your nails. This softens the texture of your nails, making them easier to work on.
Your nails are then shaped. The technician might ask you what shape you want and how long you want your nails to be. Shape options include oval, conical, and square, to name a few.
The nail technician will massage your hands before moving to the coating process. A base coat will be applied followed by two coats of your selected nail polish color. A topcoat is then added to top off your service.
Enhanced Manicure
If you find the simple manicure to be too dull for your liking, enhanced manicures may be better suited for you. This is your opportunity to express your artistic sense of style. Depending on the salon, your nail technician may be able to apply a range of colorful options to your nails. These could include but are not limited to:
Glitter Nails: If the thought of adding glitter to your nails makes you nervous, don’t worry. You can control how much glitter is added and it will all stay on your nails. The technician can apply total glitter nails or half glitter, depending on your preference.
Semi Glitter Nails: With this manicure style, the technician will paint your nails using half one color and half in another color. Once your nails have dried, a coat of glitter nail paint will be applied before your nails are thoroughly dried. The results look festive with plenty of sparkle.
French Manicure
French manicures are one of the most popular manicure styles. Once completed, the French manicure leaves your nails looking clean and stylish. You can easily wear a French manicure at the office or out on a date and you’ll still look right in style.
When you request a French manicure, the technician will first apply a base coat to your nails. From here, you have your choice of clear white or pale pink which is followed by a plain white polish at the tips.
Then there is the reverse French manicure, which is a clear white or pale pink nail paint followed by white polish on the moon of your nails. You can also choose to have different combinations of colors applied to your nails, like black and wine or yellow and pink.
Gel Manicure
Another popular favorite at the nail salon, the gel manicure is ideal for weddings, vacations, and other special events. For this manicure, a special nail polish is applied in your choice of color followed by a curing of your nails under a UV light. No drying time! This process seals your nails permanently. From that point forward, you’ll need to return to the nail salon to remove or reapply your gel set to maintain them.
3D Nail Art
This head turning manicure is the most creative and the most expensive manicure you can find at most salons. You can request all types of 3D art to apply to your nails, such as flowers, bow ties, butterflies, hearts, and more. Not all salons offer this type of manicure because it does take a real nail artist to get the look right, but when done well this manicure is out of this world.
Artificial Nails
With artificial nails, you can go with any style and length. Your nail technician will let you choose the style you want before adding the artificial nails to your natural nails using a special manicure glue or gel. This manicure requires a return visit to remove or reapply the nail set as needed.
Ready for a Manicure? Treat Yourself at Mitchell’s Salon & Day Spa
Now that you know the ins and outs of manicures, you’re ready to schedule one for yourself. This is by no means an exhaustive list and is meant more to give you a general idea of the options available to you. To experience basic manicures or more advanced manicures like our sports manicure, hot stone manicure, or collagen infused manicure, call Mitchell’s Salon & Day Spa at one of our four Cincinnati locations. We can be found in Kenwood, West Chester, Tri-County, and Hyde Park. Choose a time that works for you by calling (513)793-0900.
