Your Guide for How To Achieve the Perfect Manicure by Michela Flood

All photos by Michela Flood

I know, there is nothing quite like having a fresh manicure—that feeling of freshly polished nails, cute, sweet, and ready to take on the world.

Often difficult to maintain, or find time to keep up with, but, when done so appreciated and amazing, an almost instant confidence boost and elevation to any look. 

The thing about manicures is it's not just about the final product. For me, it's the entire experience: making the appointment, the exciting drive there (lol can you tell I don't have a car on campus), arriving at the salon, picking out a color, cut, and style manicure, then the application, and entire relaxing dynamic, finally, walking out with nails of your dreams  (hopefully). I just love all of it.

But nails are no simple task, deciding what style is best for you is key to being successful in this department. Understanding the range of shapes, colors, and looks one could embark on creates a plethora of fun options and desires, about trends and aesthetics. Regardless, choosing nail styles is not an easy feat, and in the case of gels often a three to four-week commitment, this guide is here to serve as a recipe for how to lean into the best manicured nails for anyone. 

Seasons, events, and outfits will often change the aesthetic, and vibe one is going for with their nails. Let's begin with shape, for me I gravitate towards an almond or rounded shape with a pointed, inverted top. I like this shape best because it curates a clean, simple look that is stunning with any color. 

When choosing a shape, think of the vibe you are going for, are you leaning towards a minimalist look? Try short and round. Want something more edgy that has points at each end? Try square. Looking for a soft and subtle vibe? Try a square on the sides cut with a rounded top! Looking to make a true statement? Aim for a coffin shape to get some attention!  

Next comes length, when choosing a length think of the lifestyle, and activities upcoming for you, and how your nails can adapt to such. For me, my nails can grow as long as I want, so I prefer to have them at this sweet mid-length height (unless of course one breaks and I need to even them out, AKA disaster in the nail world) keeping them mid-length, allows them to look pretty and seamless, and I find them most manageable and easy to work with at this length (I do still need to be able to type and write of course being my major is in fact journalism)

With length, gravitate towards a style that will be cute, and emphasize the vibe you are trying to send out. Minimalist and simple is your style? Does your lifestyle call for frequent hand use? Opt for short nails. Bold and ambitious? Do you enjoy using your hands for expression and personality accents? Lean into acrylics or long nails.

The type of manicure chosen can determine the lifespan, durability, price point, and feeling of your manicure. For me I almost always get gel manicures or a longer-lasting manicure, requiring light that releases rays that will set the color into the nails and although the rays used to set the color, can be damaging to the life of the nail bed as stated here, I have found great experiences.  Allowing me to get a manicure, and not think about its livelihood for up to four weeks, the price point here usually starts at about $30 and can change depending on other factors including salon, designs, or additional treatments. 

However, there are a plethora of manicure kinds to choose from, and almost all of them can suit whatever agenda an individual has. Thin nails, with a lack of durability? Opt for a powder gel manicure or a powder and dip style system that builds mass, strength, and height to the nails and can last up to four weeks. The price point here is usually starting at $40.

Just want a clean aesthetic, that won't damage the nail? Need a quick, temporary fix and cleaning for an upcoming event and don't want to spend a lot of money? Opt for a classic, regular manicure. Although these may chip fast and not be the cutest when they do, the price here is low, usually starting at $12.

Struggle with the strength, length, or size of your nails, lean into acrylics. Acrylic or fake nails, allow the look of real, gorgeous, elongated nails, without the wait of growing them out. These fake extensions create an illusion of nails looking more perfect and curated than they may be in reality. The price point here is usually starting at $50

With the shape, length, and type chosen, comes the most exciting portion of the manicure game. The color! So many different details will alter what color is desired. Seasons, call for new fashion and in turn new nail colors. The colder seasons create a desire for darker, deeper tones of nails, while warmer weather honors bright, and light colors. 

For me, I love to follow my fashion and nail game in response to the seasons as well. But, whereas I am stingy with shape, and length, I am pretty open and flexible to colors so long as they are in line with the season!

When choosing a color, it is also important to navigate, the reason for a manicure, is there a specific event the nails need to honor? Different events will likely call for different vibes with manicures. Is there an outfit that the nails need to match and honor? Are there any events, people, or dress codes you want the nails to support? Regardless, choose a color that you appreciate and like!

Finally, last but not least, the finishing touch! Are these nails going to remain solid, and color-based or extend with a design, bonus, or touch? Are you seeking to keep the manicure just to a color or navigate with a design, or flare?

For me, I love the chrome nail trend or the application of a thin coat of shine to the top of matte nails to reveal a high shine, mirrored effect, as coined by Hailey Bieber here. Adding a chrome top usually costs around an additional $10, and can be done with either powder or gel nails, and in a variety of tones or colors. 

Designs of nail art are bonuses from which any kind of drawings or details can be placed onto the nails, adding a sweet element of uniqueness. Depending on the salon or artist at work, some individuals can get very creative with drawing, while others can stick to minimalist touches, regardless any design is a fun boost and detail to an ordinary manicure. 

Another fun look within manicures is to take a spin on classic looks. French manicures are forever-lasting pink base nails with a white trim, that will never go out of style. However, replacing the white tip with some kind of color is an added modern element that can enhance nail looks and just offer something more fun and less traditional than the classic manicure. 

Hot tip: French manicures tend to offer a longer lifespan because of the neutral base that allows colors to grow out without direct contrast to the nail or skin color, thus lasting longer and getting more money out of a manicure. 

From shape, length, type, color, and design options, this guide is sure to help you in making your next appointment, as such, it is also vital to examine your schedule and other tasks, keeping in mind nail removal often will need to be done at the salon too, understanding the amount of time, money, and quality of a manicure is key before going in for an appointment. 

Now that you know exactly how and what to ask for at the salon, keep those nails strong in between appointments with oil and gentle care!

I hope this post helps you navigate the manicure world, and check out the graph below to reference as a quick key and guide when deciding what will work best for you. 

Xoxxo,

Michela