Deciding on a nail design can feel like a high-stakes game.
- Too Many Choices, Not Enough Hands
There are just too many cute designs, and it feels unfair that you only have ten nails. How can you possibly pick when every option is screaming, “Choose me, choose me!”
I mean, too many gorgeous options makes it natural to get stuck—each design is calling your name, and it feels like you’re picking your favorite candy at a shop where everything looks delicious. How can anyone possibly choose just one?
- Nail Mood Swings
Some days you’re feeling like a pastel princess, and other days you’re a glitter goddess. The struggle is real when your mood can’t make up its mind about which version of “you” should take the spotlight.
Your nails are an extension of your personality, and you want them to reflect exactly how you’re feeling. The problem? Your mood isn’t always clear on what it wants!
- Trendy vs. Timeless
You’re torn between wanting to rock the latest trend and sticking with a classic that’ll never let you down. Like deciding between a new series or rewatching Friends for the hundredth time.
One minute everyone’s obsessed with ombre, and the next, it’s all about matte finishes. Actually, almost just like trying to decide whether to wear your favorite jeans or try out that new fashion trend everyone’s talking about—both are great, but which one do you commit to?
- Seasonal Sass
Do you go with something cozy and wintery or fresh and summery? Your nails could be feeling all “pumpkin spice latte” one minute and “tropical smoothie” the next.
We understand you getting stuck deciding what nails to go with right now, especially when you’ve got that big event coming up and want your nails to be perfect for it. Choosing between what’s appropriate for the season and what’s just plain fabulous is a real dilemma!
- Nail FOMO
What if you pick one design and then see something even better on Instagram the next day?
- Wardrobe Woes
You want your nails to match your outfits, but also kind of want them to stand out. It’s like trying to pick a pair of shoes that go with everything, but you secretly want to wear those glittery heels that don’t match a single thing in your closet.
- Commitment Issues
Nails are a big deal—you’re going to be stuck with this look for at least a couple of weeks! You want to love it every time you look in the mirror.
- Salon Speak
You’ve got this amazing idea in your head, but getting it across to your nail tech without sounding like a crazy person? What if it doesn’t turn out exactly like you imagined?
- Perfectionist Panic
You’re trying to pick the perfect design-for everything to be flawless, is that too much to ask?
- Nail Goals
You want nails that people notice. Period.
There’s so many options for manis to choose from, and I have them categorised here, just for you. Have a look.
Classic Manicures
- French Tip
- Reverse French Tip
- American Manicure
- Square Shape
- Round Shape
- Oval Shape
- Almond Shape
- Stiletto Shape
- Coffin/Ballerina Shape
- Squoval Shape
- Buffed & Polished
Gel-Based Manicures
- Basic Gel Manicure
- Gel Overlay
- Gel Extensions
- Soft Gel (Soak-Off)
- Hard Gel (File-Off)
- Shellac Manicure
- Builder Gel
- Sculpted Gel
- French Gel
Acrylic-Based Manicures
- Basic Acrylic
- Acrylic Overlay
- Acrylic Extensions
- Pink and White Acrylic
- Acrylic Sculptures
- Acrylic Dip Powder
- Acrylic Infill
- Acrylic Ombre
- Acrylic with Encapsulated Glitter
- Acrylic with Nail Art
Dip Powder Manicures
- Classic Dip Powder
- French Dip Powder
- Ombre Dip Powder
- Glitter Dip Powder
- Marble Dip Powder
- Chrome Dip Powder
- Matte Dip Powder
- Neon Dip Powder
- Pastel Dip Powder
- Floral Dip Powder
Nail Art Designs
- Polka Dot Manicure
- Floral Manicure
- Animal Print
- Geometric Manicure
- Chevron Stripes
- Gradient (Ombre)
- Negative Space
- Minimalist Designs
- Abstract Art
- 3D Nail Art
Textured & Special Effect Mani
- Matte Finish
- Glossy Finish
- Glitter Finish
- Chrome Nails
- Holographic Nails
- Velvet Nails
- Sugar Nails (Textured)
- Magnetic Polish
- Crackle Polish
- Foil Nails
Seasonal & Themed Mani
- Holiday Nails
- Valentine’s Day Nails
- Halloween Nails
- Christmas Nails
- Easter Nails
- New Year’s Eve Nails
- Birthday Nails
- Wedding Manicure
- Bridal Shower Nails
- Baby Shower Nails
Cultural & Regional Manis
- Japanese Manicure
- Korean Glass Nails
- Russian Manicure
- French Manicure
- Brazilian Manicure
- Kawaii Nail Art
- Indian Henna Nail Art
- Arabic Nail Art
- Moroccan Nail Art
- Aztec Nail Art
Natural & Eco-Friendly Manis
- Organic Manicure
- Vegan Manicure
- Waterless Manicure
- Halal Manicure
- Chemical-Free Manicure
- Soy-Based Manicure
- Mineral-Based Manicure
- Plant-Based Manicure
- Bare Nail Treatment
- Healing Crystal Manicure
Fresh Techniques
- Dip Marble Nails
- Dip Chrome Nails
- Airbrush Manicure
- Water Marble Manicure
- Press-On Manicure
- Reverse Ombre
- Striping Tape Designs
- Gradient French
- Stencil Art
- Aquarium Nails
What’s the difference?
Classic Manicures
What It Is: A classic manicure is the most basic type of manicure. It involves cleaning and shaping your nails, trimming and caring for your cuticles (the skin around the base of your nails), and applying a regular nail polish of your choice.
What to Expect:
- Your nails will be soaked in warm water to soften the cuticles.
- The nail technician will push back and trim your cuticles.
- Your nails will be filed and shaped.
- A hand massage might follow.
- Finally, your nails will be polished with a base coat, your chosen color, and a top coat.
Cost:
- New York City (NYC): $30-50
- Miami: $25-35
- Atlanta: $25-35
- Los Angeles (LA): $30-50
- New Jersey (NJ): $20-40
- Washington DC: $30-50
How Long It Lasts: About 5 to 7 days. Regular nail polish tends to chip easily, especially if you use your hands a lot.
Maintenance: Keep your hands moisturized and be gentle with your nails to avoid chipping. You may need to reapply a top coat every few days to keep them shiny.
Taking It Off: Remove it with regular nail polish remover, which usually takes just a few minutes.
Gel-Based Manicures
What It Is: Gel manicures involve using a special gel polish that is hardened under a UV or LED lamp. The result is a glossy finish that lasts longer than regular nail polish and is resistant to chips.
What to Expect:
- Your nails will be prepped similarly to a classic manicure with cleaning, shaping, and cuticle care.
- Gel polish will be applied in thin layers, with each layer being cured (hardened) under a UV or LED lamp for 30-60 seconds.
- There’s no drying time after the final layer since the polish is already set.
Cost:
- NYC: $40-70
- Miami: $35-55
- Atlanta: $35-55
- LA: $40-70
- NJ: $35-60
- Washington DC: $40-60
How Long It Lasts: 2 to 3 weeks. Gel manicures are known for their durability and glossy finish.
Maintenance: You don’t need to do much. Just keep your hands moisturized and avoid peeling or picking at the polish, as this can damage your nails.
Taking It Off: This requires soaking your nails in acetone for about 10-15 minutes. The gel will soften, and then you can gently scrape it off with an orangewood stick. Don’t try to peel it off yourself without soaking—it can damage your nails.
Acrylic-Based Manicures
What It Is: Acrylic nails are made by mixing a liquid (monomer) and a powder (polymer) that hardens when exposed to air. This mixture is applied on top of your natural nails or nail tips, creating a strong, hard layer that can be shaped and lengthened as desired.
What to Expect:
- Your natural nails may be slightly filed down to help the acrylic adhere better.
- The technician will then apply the acrylic mixture and shape it to your desired length and style.
- Once the acrylic hardens, it can be buffed and polished with a color of your choice.
Cost:
- NYC: $50-80
- Miami: $45-65
- Atlanta: $40-60
- LA: $50-80
- NJ: $40-70
- Washington DC: $50-70
How Long It Lasts: 2 to 3 weeks, depending on how quickly your natural nails grow. After that, you’ll need to get a fill, where the gap between your cuticle and the acrylic is filled in with more acrylic.
Maintenance: Be careful not to use your nails as tools, as this can cause the acrylic to lift. You’ll also need to get regular fills (every 2-3 weeks) to keep them looking fresh.
Taking It Off: Acrylic nails need to be soaked in acetone for about 20-30 minutes, and then gently scraped off. This is best done by a professional to avoid damaging your natural nails.
Dip Powder Manicures
What It Is: Dip powder manicures involve dipping your nails into a colored powder and then sealing it with a clear top coat. It’s a bit like combining gel and acrylic, offering durability and a long-lasting finish without needing UV light.
What to Expect:
- Your nails will be cleaned, shaped, and prepped.
- A base coat is applied, and then your nails are dipped into a colored powder.
- The process is repeated until the desired color intensity is achieved, usually 2-3 times.
- A clear sealant is applied to give a smooth, glossy finish.
Cost:
- NYC: $50-70
- Miami: $45-60
- Atlanta: $45-60
- LA: $50-70
- NJ: $40-60
- Washington DC: $50-70
How Long It Lasts: About 3 weeks. Dip powder manicures are known for their strength and durability.
Maintenance: Just keep your nails clean and moisturized. Avoid using your nails as tools to prevent lifting or chipping.
Taking It Off: Similar to acrylics, dip powder needs to be soaked in acetone for 15-20 minutes and then gently removed. It’s best to do this at a salon.
Nail Art Designs
What It Is: Nail art is the decoration of your nails with various designs, patterns, or even tiny pictures. It can be done on top of any type of manicure, like classic, gel, or acrylic.
What to Expect:
- Your nails will be prepped with a base manicure (classic, gel, acrylic, etc.).
- The technician will use special tools to create designs on your nails. This could be anything from simple stripes to intricate images, or even applying tiny jewels or stickers.
Cost:
- Nail art is usually an add-on cost.
- NYC: $10-25 per nail
- Miami: $7-15 per nail
- Atlanta: $7-15 per nail
- LA: $10-25 per nail
- NJ: $7-15 per nail
- Washington DC: $10-20 per nail
How Long It Lasts: Nail art lasts as long as the base manicure. So if it’s done on gel or dip powder, it could last 2-3 weeks.
Maintenance: Be careful with your nails so the designs don’t chip or peel. Avoid harsh chemicals or using your nails as tools.
Taking It Off: The removal process depends on the type of base manicure. For gel or acrylic, it involves soaking in acetone. Regular nail polish remover will work for classic manicures.
Textured & Special Effect Mani
What It Is: This is a manicure that uses special effects like matte finishes, glitter, velvet, or holographic colors. It’s more about the unique finish and texture of the nails than just color.
What to Expect:
- Your nails will be prepped as usual (cleaning, shaping, cuticles).
- The technician will apply the special effect polish, whether it’s glitter, matte, or something else.
- Sometimes, additional layers or top coats are applied to enhance the effect.
Cost:
- Usually, this is an add-on cost.
- NYC: $15-30 extra
- Miami: $12-18 extra
- Atlanta: $12-18 extra
- LA: $15-30 extra
- NJ: $10-20 extra
- Washington DC: $15-25 extra
How Long It Lasts: The effect lasts as long as the base manicure. For example, a glittery gel manicure could last 2-3 weeks.
Maintenance: Special effect manicures may need extra care to keep them looking fresh. For example, matte finishes can show wear and tear more easily, and glitter can be tough to keep clean.
Taking It Off: Removal depends on the base type (gel, acrylic, etc.). Glitter or textured polishes can be more difficult to remove, requiring longer soaking times in acetone.