Manicure or pedicure, gel or dip, acrylic or builder gel: what each service involves, how long it lasts, how it comes off, and a finder to see the closest of 74,611 nail salons. Most salons offer all of these, so call ahead for specialty work.
Type your town or state, or use your location.
Type your town or state, or use your location.
The classic: shape, cuticles, polish
A basic manicure includes soaking or softening, shaping the nails, tidying cuticles, a hand massage and regular polish. A "spa" manicure usually adds an exfoliating scrub, a mask or paraffin wax, and a longer massage.
Regular polish usually lasts several days to about a week before it chips, and you can remove it at home with polish remover.
Feet, nails and a long soak
A pedicure covers the toenails and feet: a soak, nail trimming and shaping, cuticle care, callus smoothing, a scrub and massage, and polish. Spa or deluxe pedicures add masks, hot towels, paraffin or hot stones.
Hygiene matters most here. Look for footbaths that are cleaned between clients (many salons use disposable liners), tools that are sterilized or single-use, and licensed technicians. Some states prohibit razor-style callus tools. If you have diabetes or circulation problems, talk to your doctor first; a medical pedicure with a podiatrist may be safer.
Shiny, chip-resistant, cured under a lamp
Gel polish is painted on like regular polish but hardens (cures) under a UV or LED lamp after each coat, so it's dry the moment you leave. It typically lasts around two to three weeks without chipping.
Removal means soaking in acetone, ideally at the salon; peeling gel off damages the nail surface. Gel lamps emit UV light. Health agencies consider the risk low, but some people use sunscreen or fingerless gloves during curing.
Colored powder sealed into a hard finish
With dip powder, the nail is brushed with a bonding liquid and dipped into (or dusted with) colored powder, layer by layer, then sealed with an activator. No lamp is needed. The result is harder and a little thicker than gel and often lasts three to four weeks.
Ask whether the salon pours powder for each client rather than dipping everyone's fingers into the same jar, which is more hygienic. Removal is an acetone soak.
Strong, sculpted length
Acrylics are made by mixing a liquid (monomer) with a powder (polymer) into a bead that's sculpted over your nail or a plastic tip and air-hardens. They add length and strength and can be shaped into any style.
As your natural nail grows out, acrylics need a "fill" about every two to three weeks. They're removed by soaking in acetone and filing, which is best done by a technician to protect your natural nails.
Lighter alternatives to acrylic
Builder gel (sometimes sold as BIAB) is a thicker gel used to strengthen natural nails or add a little length. Soft-gel extensions are full-coverage gel tips glued on with gel and cured under a lamp. Both are lighter and more flexible than acrylic and are removed with an acetone soak.
They're popular for people who want some length without the bulk of acrylic, or who are growing out weak nails.
Designs, charms, chrome and more
Nail art covers everything from simple French tips to hand-painted designs, chrome and cat-eye finishes, ombré, stamping, decals, rhinestones and 3D charms. It's usually priced per nail or by design complexity on top of the base service.
If you have a specific look in mind, bring a photo and ask about price and time before they start.
Licensing. Nail technicians and salons are licensed by state boards. Licenses are usually posted at the station or front desk.
Clean tools. Metal tools should come out of a sterilizer pouch or be sanitized in front of you; files and buffers should be new or single-use.
Ventilation. A strong chemical smell can mean poor ventilation. Good salons use ventilated tables or extraction.
Speak up. Cutting into live skin, pain or burning under the lamp aren't normal. Ask the technician to stop.