7 Types of Manicures You Should Know About!
What’s fun about nails is that you have so many styles to choose from! Whether you want to go with more classic looks or experiment with different trends you will definitely find nail art fun and creative.
Here you will find 7 must-try manicures that you can achieve in just a few simple steps!
Before you start
Regardless of the manicure trend you choose for your nails, to get a flawless result it is best to prep your nails following a few simple steps, which include:
● Washing your hands and soaking your nails in lukewarm water
● Softening your cuticles with an oil pen
● Removing any excess cuticles with a cuticle trimmer
● Filing your nails to get the desired shape
● Buffing your nails to get a smooth base for your nail polish
And now… let’s choose your favorite one!
1) Basic manicure
A basic manicure is the best option if you are getting started with nail art. It is also the fastest manicure if you are in a rush but still want to have nice and colorful nails.
After prepping your nails you will want to reach for a clear base, a shade of your choice nail polish, and a top coat.
The first step is to apply the clear base to your nails, this will help protect them and create a nice base for your colored nail polish.
When it dries, proceed with the second step and apply one coat of nail polish.
Depending on the level of coverage you want to achieve you can decide if you need to apply one or two more coats. Just remember to let your nails dry first.
The third and final step involves the clear top coat. This step is important because it will help protect the color and it will also give your nails a nice shiny finish.
If you prefer a matte look, try KIKO MILANO’s mattifying top coat.
2) French manicure
French manicures are a classic. They will always be in style thanks to their ability to fit in on various occasions.
To achieve the perfect French manicure from the comfort of your home is easy when following a few simple steps.
After having applied a clear base to your nails, proceed by adding nude nail polish and waiting for it to dry.
Now it’s time to concentrate on the tips! For a flawless result, use a fine brush nail polish, this will make it easier to create the perfect French manicure.
If you don’t have a very steady hand, you can use KIKO MILANO’s white French pen which will help you create a perfect line.
When your nails are dry, apply a clear top coat and voilà! Your nails are ready.
3) Reverse French manicure
If you love French manicures you will surely adore this trend!
As the name suggests, a reverse French manicure is achieved by adding white, or a color of your choice at the base of your nails instead than on the tips.
The first few steps are the same as if you were going to do a classic French. So apply a clear base and nail polish.
GOOD TO KNOW: When using colored nail polishes instead of nude tones, you will want to use opposite shades to create contrast, for example, if you apply a light nail polish use a darker color at the base and vice versa.
When the nail polish dries, use manicure guides to help draw along the base of your nails and fill in.
4) American manicure
If you would like to achieve natural-looking nails, you should try an American manicure.
The technique is the same as for a French manicure, the difference is in the colors you are going to use. Instead of having a really white tip, you are going to use a more off-white creamy shade.
For the rest of the nail, you are going to use the most neutral shade you can find which should resemble the natural color of the nail.
If you want to have a more subtle look, start off by painting the tips of your nails and, when they are dry, add a coat of neutral nail polish also covering the tips.
5) Gradient manicure
If you have a favorite color, you will also probably love all of its shade range, so why not use them on your nails?
The steps are the same as for a basic manicure, but you will use different colors on each nail. You can either choose different shades of one color, or you can also mimic the rainbow and use different colors on each nail!
This type of manicure is very trendy, and a very fun way to get great results is if you pick your colors according to the season you are in.
A similar type of manicure that you can try if you want to just have one nail different from the others it’s an accent manicure.
This type of manicure consists of applying the same nail polish shade on four fingers and a different shade on the fifth to make it can stand out.
If you prefer using the same shade on each finger but still want to make one nail pop, you can simply add a coat or two of glitter nail polish.
Usually, the ring finger is going to be the different one, but it is really up to you.
7) Ombré Manicure
Another great way to have fun with nails is to try an ombré manicure. It may seem difficult at first, but after learning the steps you will master it!
After picking the colors you want to use for this trend, apply the main shade onto your nail as you would do for a basic manicure.
Add the second shade onto a beauty sponge, KIKO MILANO’s triangular sponges will work perfectly.
When the main shade is dry gently dab the colored side of the sponge from the center of your nail towards the tip and continue dabbing until you reach the ombrè look you want!
As you see there are plenty of ideas to achieve perfect manicures, and with the right tools and your creativity, you will create outstanding nails!