NAIL ART TAMPA

 Although French manicures can be suitable for every type of nail plate and shape/length, Bychkova suggests that the mid-length almond and short square shapes look best for French nail tips. "You just have to be aware they don’t have broken edges so your line will be symmetrical," she adds.

 One little mani-secret is that gently buffed nails help polish to stay better. Sritapan suggests that the key to proper buffing is to use a high grit buffer, such as OPI Edge White 240 Grit File ($2) with a light touch, and focus around the cuticle area. "There is a misconception that buffing is bad because it removes layers of the nails but that’s only if it’s done incorrectly (low grit) and excessively (over buffing)," she explains.

 Make sure to soak your cuticles in oil before pushing them back. Then, exfoliate your hands with a body scrub and apply hand cream. "Before getting ready for the base coat, dehydrate the nail plate with alcohol or nail polish remover to remove any hand cream from the nails," says Bychkova.

 Close up of a woman using one hand to apply base coat to the nails on the other.

 Now, onto the actual painting of your nails. For a French manicure, you'll need two shades of color: one for the nail, and one for the tip. You can have all sorts of fun with French manicures, but here we'll keep it classic. Sritapan recommends starting with one thin layer of OPI Natural Nail Base Coat ($11), to get maximum adhesion. "This one also prevents nails from getting stained or yellow," she adds. According to her, professional manicures last longer than home manicures because nail techs never skip the base coat.

 Darlene Sritapan is a licensed nail tech and OPI’s North American education and capability manager.

 Natalia Bychkova is a nail educator and founder of the Nail Art House, an Austin-based nail studio and education center that specializes in modern Russian manicure techniques.

 Tape on the end of a fingernail.

 DEE MILLS / BYRDIE

 If you don't have a steady hand and/or still need to brush up on your DIY manicure skills, nail tape ($9) can help. (And regular old Scotch tape can work in a pinch). After your base coat is fully dry, press the tape firmly to where you want your tip to end. A straight or curved white strip is up to you and your nail shape, but if you want your nails to appear longer, let the polish curve with your natural nail.

 Woman paints the tip of her fingernail white.

 Paint the exposed tip of the nail with your choice of solid white nail polish. To get a nice line with just one layer, opt for a polar white color like OPI Alpine Snow ($11) or Akzent Luxio Polar ($17).

 When free-handing, it's best to keep the brush still and roll just your finger to get a nice even curved line. You'll also have a steadier hand if you hold the brush between the thumb and middle finger while resting your forefinger on the top of the cap.

 Woman uses a cotton swab to shape up French tips.

 If you're going for the crescent shape instead of a straight line, use a cotton swab or fine nail art brush to add touches of white nail polish to the corners of the nail.

 Top Your Manicure Off With a Sheer Neutral Shade

 Woman adds a sheer pink coat of polish to her fingernail.

 This is the manicurist-approved way to make your French nails look a lot more natural. "A sheer pink shade helps hide any nail imperfections or yellowing," Sritapan explains.

 After cleaning up any stray polish with a Q-tip soaked in nail polish remover, you'll need to keep this art lasting as long as possible. To seal and set your at-home French manicure, finally finish with a thin layer of a shiny top coat. "My favorite top coat is Akzentz Luxio Shine On ($20) because it's not sticky and keeps your nails for so long," says Bychkova.

Pedicures Tampa

 Final look at the completed French manicure.

 And voilà, you've created a French manicure. As with any manicure, be sure to play it carefully before putting your hands to work: Depending on the formula of your polish and your top coat, it can take several hours for your nails to completely dry.

 It will depend on which nail salon you go to, but in New York City a standard manicure typically ranges from $20-$25 for regular polish and $45-$50 for gel. And while some salons don't charge extra for a French tip, others do. Also, keep in mind that most salons charge a fee for nail polish removal, which can range from $10-$15 depending on the type of polish.

 As with any manicure, you'll get the most out of a French manicure if you use a strong base coat and a top coat, for starters. Also, avoid anything that may cause chipping (biting nails, hot water, chemicals, etc.), and don't forget to seal your manicure, or rather, paint around the nail tip to protect against damage.

 What are some variations on the traditional French manicure?

 If you're looking for a variation on the classic French mani, try V French tips or reverse French tips. The easiest way to create a V French tip is to hold the nail perpendicular to you, then paint on long white lines in a "V" shape, with the bottom of the V hitting at the tip of the nail. For a reverse French tip, use a dark color over the entire base of the nail, and add a small line in a lighter shade at the nail bed (instead of on fingernail tip, as in a classic French manicure).

 You surely know square and almond, but what about lipstick or edge? Here, industry pros will help you decide which shape to try for your next manicure.

 You surely know square and almond, but what about lipstick or edge? Here, industry pros will help you decide which shape to try for your next manicure.

 Seconds after you sit down in the nail salon, you've historically been forced to make a binary decision: square or round? But it's not that simple anymore. These days, nail shapes are more varied than ever, thanks to influencers and celebrities alike sporting a variety of far-from-traditional silhouettes. It's not just about picking the perfect nail color or showing off a funky design anymore — nail shapes are the new it-factor when it comes to nailing a manicure (no pun intended).

 Trying out different nail shapes definitely keeps things fun, and it's a great way to express ourselves, Lilly Rojas, founder of Brooklyn's Lili and Cata nail salon, explains. "Just like experimenting with colors you normally wouldn't wear feels brave, finding your perfect nail shape can provide a sense of self confidence and empowerment."

 Get the biggest beauty stories, launches, and trends of the day.

 BY SIGNING UP, YOU AGREE TO OUR USER AGREEMENT AND PRIVACY POLICY & COOKIE STATEMENT.

 With that being said, you also want to find the shape that works best for you. According to Anastasia Totty, a LeChat nail educator and owner of Artistique Salon in Jacksonville, Florida, there are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a nail shape: your personal style, your personal preference, and your occupation. "It has to enhance your look, make you feel beautiful, and fit your idea of what looks good. Trends come and go, but finding your unique style is extremely important," she says.

 If you want a quick tip to discovering your most natural-looking nail shape, manicurist Deborah Lippmann says it's all about following the cuticles. "The best way to find the best shape for you is do a proper cuticle pushing, and then mirror the shape of the tip of your nails to the shape of your cuticles," she explains. "That gives you the most natural elongated nail and is how you find your best personal nail shape."

 We're at the point now where the world has more nail shape varieties than we have fingers, so it can be tough to keep track of all the options, let alone choose one. That's why we've broken down 11 of the most popular options so you can make an informed, thoughtful decision next time you sit down at the salon.

 Plus, it could be fun to play around with some different options. "I would suggest trying out a new nail shape every few months because you never know, it might become your new favorite shape," Rojas says.

 The Most Talked-About Looks & Moments of the 2023 Met Gala Red Carpet

 If you swear by a gel manicure, you may have heard of builder gel or BIAB — builder gel in a bottle. The names can be used interchangeably and are another type of gel polish with a stronger, less pliable finish than normal gel polish, that can be used as an overlay treatment or as a medium to lengthen your nail shape.

 Builder gel tends to come in a bottle like normal gel polish, it’s also cured with an LED light and can be soaked off with acetone. Builder gel is also used with gel extensions to bond the nail tips to your natural nails.

 Hard gel nail polish is stronger and more rigid on the nails than gel nail polish but it’s not as strong as builder gel. It comes in a bottle and is cured with an LED light but it can’t be soaked off with acetone like gel nail polish or builder gel. Hard gel is more resilient to chemicals so while the only way to remove it is by filing it off, the good thing is that it can also be filled so you won't need a new set every time you get your nails done. Hard gel is typically used to strengthen your natural nails or as a way to extend the shape of your natural nails with a foil sculpting tool.

 OK, we can all agree that a spankin’ new mani can put us in a good mood. But while we love a classic mani or a French tip moment, did you know that there are so many other types of manicures out there? Look, we get it—it’s already tough deciding what nail polish, nail art or shape to rock, so the last thing you want to be is overwhelmed by more choices. Luckily, we made you a manicure guide that will surely help you find the right style for you.

 How to Choose the Best Manicure Style

 When it comes to choosing which types of nails to get, you’ll want to factor in a couple of things. Ask yourself, what does my budget look like? Can my lifestyle fit this type of manicure? What is the occasion? Plus, figuring out how much time you’re willing to spend getting the manicure done and how often you should come in for touch ups. From basic to polygel, here’s the real deal on every type of nail option out there.

 20 NUDE NAIL DESIGNS THAT ARE ANYTHING BUT BORING

 You know the one. It’s among the most popular and affordable options on the list. Paint it on yourself or hit up your manicure spot for a pristine application (complete with hand massage, might we add). The standard manicure also comes with a trim, shape and buffing process—with cuticle time too. Just make sure you spend ample time under the nail dryer or you'll risk those dreaded dings on the way out.

 Cost: $10 to $30 per application (but cheaper if you consider no nail polish or do it at home).

 How long it takes: 30 minutes.

 How long it lasts: About five days with no chips.

 How to take it off: It’s pretty simple. Grab some polish remover and cotton pads and you’re good to go.

 How it affects nail health: Wear it as often as you like—it has no negative affect. A basic manicure is one of the safest types of manicures from the bunch. It’s an easy process and removal allows little to no room for splitting or breaking nails.

 The downsides: It’s prone to chipping quicker and losing its shine than most manicures (even with a good top coat). Simply put: Don’t expect this one to last more than a week.

 This is probably what you’re getting when you book a gel mani. It’s basically a hybrid of gel and nail polish that’s cured and hardened with a UV light, so zero drying time baby. The word Shellac is actually just the trademark name of CND, the first company to invent and register this type of polish. It’s less harder than gel (and soaks off with acetone), but it’s tougher and more flexible to wear than a basic manicure.

 Cost: $25 to $60 per application.

 How long it takes: 45 minutes to an hour.

 How long it lasts: About two to three weeks with no chips.

 How to take it off: You’ll need cotton pads, acetone, aluminum foil and a cuticle pusher to try the soaking method at home. You can also visit a salon to get a less damaging removal.

Tampa Nail Salon

 How it affects nail health: Some peeling or breakage might occur if you just go ahead and rip them off without using the proper removal technique (ahem, see above). Take your time to gently soak them off for strong natural nails in between salon visits.

 The downsides: It can be a bit expensive depending on the salon. Plus, its tougher exterior can make it difficult to remove which can damage your nail bed if not taken off properly.

 3. Gel Manicure

 Also known as “hard gel,” this mani can be applied over natural or fake nails. The main difference from Shellac (or soak-off gel) is that you can extend the length of the nail, which can be sculpted and shaped just like acrylic. From square to coffin style, this manicure can last longer than soft gel styles. Plus, it’s more flexible and can resemble your natural nails to a T.

 Cost: $26 to $60 per application.

 How long it takes: 45 minutes to an hour.

 How long it lasts: Two to three weeks with no chips.

 How long it lasts: Two to three weeks with no chips.

 How hard to take off: You might want to visit a salon to get these babies off. The nail technician will use an electric file to sand away gel before wiping nails with acetone-free remover to get rid of excess nail powder. But nail aficionados, beware: Some salons won’t remove this type of polish, so check with them before you go.

 How it affects nail health: Again, gel shouldn’t damage nails if applied and removed properly by a skilled technician. But you might notice some peeling or weakness in the days following removal. Just be sure to keep nails hydrated with cuticle oil and they'll regain their strength in no time.

 The downsides: It can be on the pricey side and the removal process can be tough if you don’t go to a salon.

 The OG of nail extensions. It’s a combination of a liquid (monomer) and powder (polymer) that creates a hard protective layer over your natural nail and false tips. The mixture hardens from exposure to air and creates a transparent canvas for regular nail polish. This extension technique can be super fun to try out new shapes and overall extend your natural length. It’s also popular for trying intricate nail art that you can’t do with shorter nails.

 Cost: $35-$100 for a full set; $15 for a fill.

 How long it takes: About 1.5 hours or more for a full set and 45 minutes for a fill.

 How long it lasts: Two to three weeks before your next retouch.

 How to take it off: Do it at home with cotton pads, acetone, aluminum foil and a cuticle pusher or visit a salon. But under no circumstances should you try pulling or popping it off.

 How it affects nail health: If removed properly, you shouldn’t expect much damage. Nails may appear a bit weaker due to the fact that they’re filed down before application to give the mixture added grip. Just make sure your technician doesn’t over-file them, and use cuticle oil to keep nail beds hydrated.