Ultimate Guide to 22 Types of Manicures in 2025: how to choose for your best need

Introduction to different types of Manicures and Nail Art

Manicure are more than just applying nail polish, it’s not just about the nail care treatment that enhances the appearance and health of your hands, nail styles can also be unique among women and men of different age groups, social classes, cultures and ethnicities. With numerous types of manicures and advanced techniques available today, it’s important to understand the differences to choose the best option for your needs, because the choice of nail fashion represented a form of expression as we are exhibiting creative and innovative ways to share our expressions. Whether you want a natural look, the durability over time, or sophisticated nail art, there is a manicure style for you. In this post, we will look at the different types of manicures and how to choose the right one for ourselves.

Classic (Regular) Manicure

A regular manicure usually includes applying traditional nail polish and cuticle oil, giving a relaxing hand massage, and buffing, shaping, and trimming the nails and cuticles with nail clippers and a file.

Gel Manicure (Most searched variant)

The majority of the procedures for a gel manicure are the same as those for a typical manicure: your nails are cut, filed, shaped, and, if you'd like, your cuticles are clipped. However, that's where the similarities end.
Gel nail polish is applied in a manner akin to traditional lacquer. To help seal it in place for long-lasting wear, it is cured with an LED or UV light. It is necessary to cure each gel polish coat for 30 to 60 seconds at a time. You're prepared to leave the salon as soon as the last topcoat cures, rather than waiting for your nails to dry.

Shellac Manicure (it’s a brand)

One of the most common salon treatments is shellac. Many of us have either tried or heard of shellac polish, which is praised for its long-lasting effects. In contrast to standard gel and other methods like BIAB nails, poly gel nails, and bio-sculpture nails—all of which have lately acquired popularity—shellac is a patented lacquer made by the nail company Creative Nail Design, or CND.

Dip Powder Manicure (SNS)

The dip powder manicure process is fairly simple, a bonding agent is applied to the natural nail, and then the nail is dipped into a pigmented powder to create powder dip nails. Many nail enthusiasts use this method because it produces a vivid, long-lasting polish without requiring UV light.

Acrylic Nails (Clearly separate from natural-nail options)

Acrylic nails, made from a mixture of liquid and powder, remain a top choice for anyone wanting dramatically long, strong, and customizable nails. They’re extremely durable, can be shaped and colored exactly how you like and serve as the perfect canvas for elaborating nail art. However, they come with notable drawbacks: some people experience allergic reactions such as redness and itching. In short, acrylics deliver durability and creativity at the expense of potential natural-nail damage.

Russian Manicure (Trending hard in 2025)

Rather than the types of manicures which applies traditional water soaking method and cuticle pushing, an electrical-file drill is used to clean the nail bed for Russian manicure, think of a tiny drill that allows for precision over the larger ones that tend to drill a bit too much. After drilling, the excess skin is trimmed. Your nails are filed to perfection and then coated with a base gel coat along with the additional color.

Japanese Manicure

A Japanese manicure is a natural nail care treatment that protects and nourishes nails using a special paste and buffing powder instead of polish. Compared to other different types of nails manicure, this technique gives nails a healthy, glossy sheen and is perfect for people who need to repair damaged nails after gels or extensions or who wish to take a break from polish. The process involves delicately rubbing the mineral paste into the nail and then sealing it with mineral powder, resulting in a natural, pearlescent shine that can last for up to three weeks.

Spa Manicure

More than a basic manicure for nail care like shaping and buffing, a SPA manicure is an extended version that also includes hand and arm treatments to provide relaxation and improve skin health, in addition to all types of nail manicures. With no UV, no filing, and removal like regular polish, the SPA manicure could be the answer to what type of manicure is the least damaging.

Paraffin Wax Manicure

A paraffin wax manicure uses a colorless and odorless wax made from petroleum and beeswax. The nail technician will dip your hands into the warm wax multiple times until they are covered in several layers. Once your hands are waxified, they will be covered with plastic gloves and wrapped in warm towels to maximize the benefits of the waxification process. The wax often contains lavender, peppermint, or aloe vera to enhance the benefits and to create an calming environment. After the wax has cooled, the technician removes the wax and performs a regular manicure, they may also massage your hands with rich lotion to seal in the additional moisture and smoothness.

Hot Oil Manicure

For people with dry or fragile nails, a hot oil manicure is the best choice for you. It not only enhances the beauty of your nails but also improves the health of them. By soaking your nails in warm oil, this process nourishes and hydrates the nails and cuticles, resulting in stronger, healthier nails than other types of manicures.

Vinylux Manicure

Vinylux is a weekly polish system developed by CND. It provides a long-lasting alternative to regular nail polish, without the need for UV or LED curing. Vinylux is well-known for its exceptional durability, with a chip-resistant composition that can withstand the wear and tear of everyday activities. The technique is comparable to traditional nail polish, with two layers of color and one layer of top coat to secure the brilliant colors. Unlike standard nail polishes, Vinylux is designed to stick directly to the natural nail, without the need for a separate base coat. This unique solution has excellent adhesion, allowing the nail polish to adhere securely to the nail surface.

American Manicure

An American manicure is a more natural-looking alternative to the standard French manicure, with a nude or flesh-toned foundation and an off-white or ivory tip. Unlike the French manicure's sharp white line, American manicure has a smooth, blended appearance that is more natural, requires less maintenance, and it's adaptable for both informal and professional contexts.

French Manicure (classic + modern versions)

A classic French manicure is the timeless nail look featuring a sheer nude, pale pink, or translucent base paired with a crisp, super-fine white tip, creating a clean, polished, and subtly elegant finish that matches every nail length and shape (short, long, square, almond, etc.) and works for any occasion—from daily wear to weddings. Contrary to its name, it was invented in 1970s by Orly founder Jeff Pink in Hollywood (not Paris), to give actresses a versatile, camera-ready neutral manicure that matched every outfit without constant color changes. The “French” label was simply borrowed the aura of effortless Parisian chic, and its discreet, sophisticated, go-with-everything appeal has kept it a global favorite for decades, whether done with regular polish or long-lasting gel. The classic white tip is still loved, but now people play with more colors, textures, and shapes to make it bold, playful, or ultra-luxury—while keeping that clean, elegant French vibe, making it special from other types of manicures.

Reverse French / Half-Moon

A reverse or half-moon manicure is a nail design that highlights the crescent-shaped area at the base of the nail, known as the "moon," instead of the tip. This can be achieved by painting the base with a contrasting color to the rest of the nail, or by leaving it bare for a negative-space effect.

Men’s Manicure (Growing niche)

The men's manicure is a growing niche driven by increased interest in personal grooming and a shift in perceptions of masculinity, with men seeking services for both hygiene and aesthetic reasons. This trend is also fueled by celebrity and influencer culture, which normalizes self-care and self-expression through all types of manicures. 

Kids Manicure

Kids' manicures can be perfectly safe and can also be a precious bonding time with their parents when it's done correctly: avoid cuticle cutting and any sharp tools, use only non-toxic, kid-friendly or just water based polishes, go to a clean salon with proper sanitation or do it at home, and keep it short and playful with bright, glittery, or character-themed colors. With these easy safeguards, a children's manicure is no more dangerous, it's simply harmless, enjoyable pampering that produces wonderful memories without hurting fragile nails or transmitting mature signals, and also keep in mind to apply only safe types of manicures.

No-Chip Manicure

A no-chip manicure is a type of long-lasting manicure that uses a gel-based polish which is cured under a UV or LED lamp, drying instantly and providing a durable, high-shine finish that resists chipping for two to three weeks. And if you remove the nail properly it doesn’t damage your real nail.

Powder Gel / Bio Gel Manicure

Bio gel is a thick gel that forms an overlay on weak or fragile nails. It also builds gel extensions due to its flexibility and long-lasting properties. The gel does not include the harsh chemicals like acrylics manicure, so the nails remain healthy, strong, and damage-free. Bio gel is good for the nails since it contains vitamins and minerals, and the vitamin drop applied to the nails during the manicure process protects nail health. However, the bio gel does not self-level, so it requires a lot of handling when brushed around the nail plate.

Hard Gel Manicure

What type of manicure lasts the longest? A hard gel manicure uses a thick, viscous gel layered over the natural nail, cured under UV/LED light to create extra strong, chip-resistant nails that last 3–5 weeks. It provides a hard, strong finish that can be used for sculpting and complex nail art for all types of manicures art. Compared to acrylic, it’s lighter, has almost no odor, and feels more flexible. However, it must be professionally filed down during fills or removal to avoid damaging the natural nail. When maintained correctly by a skilled technician, it offers one of the most durable, and natural-looking nails, with minimal long-term damage.

Builder Gel (BIAB) Manicure Very popular in UK/EU 2025

BIAB stands for “builder in a bottle”, which is also known as builder gel, it is valued for strengthening natural nails, providing durability, and offering a long-lasting, glossy finish. BIAB is a specific type of soak-off builder gel created by the brand The Gel Bottle Inc.. It has a thicker viscosity than standard gel polish and acts as a protective, strengthening overlay for natural nails, it is specifically designed to nourish and shield the natural nail, making it ideal for those with weak or brittle nails or nail biters than other types of manicures. BIAB is often applied with a brush much like regular polish, and offers a gentler soak-off removal process compared to hard gels that require filing. It could also be one of the healthiest type of manicure.

Semi-Cured Gel Nail Strips (exploding in 2025)

Semi-cured gel nails are real-gel strips that are pre-cured by 60–70% in the factory, producing soft and stretchy nails which adapt perfectly to any nail size and shape. You can simply clean your nails, stick them on, cure them fully under a mini UV/LED lamp for 60–120 seconds, to instantly get a glossy, salon-quality gel manicure that lasts 2–3 weeks without chipping. What makes them special is the perfect mix of convenience and performance: no filing or buffing of the natural nail, super-easy peel-off removal with just oil, thousands of gorgeous designs available — you don't need to spend time on all types of manicures to get those pretty nails.

Express / Mini Manicure

An express manicure is a fast yet professional service designed for clients who want beautiful results but don’t have time for a full-hour appointment, perfect for busy schedules, delivering polished, long-lasting nails in usually 20–30 minutes without sacrificing quality or attention to detail.

How to Choose the best Type of Manicure for You

Your manicure isn’t just about pretty nails — If you want to know what type of manicure is best for your nails, you need to understand it’s a reflection of your lifestyle. With so many options available in 2025, picking the perfect one can be overwhelming. For all types of manicures, it's true a manicure is not for everyone, but that's what makes it worth investing your time, to make it a special one for yourself.