Nail Styles · Updated July 2026
Every style, explained honestly
Salon menus assume you already know what everything means. These guides fix that — what each technique actually is, how long it really lasts, what it does to your natural nails, and what a fair price looks like in the cities we cover.
Technique · Deep dive
The Russian Manicure
The waterless e-file method behind those flawless, month-long manicures — how it works, whether it's safe, how to spot a trained tech, and city-by-city pricing.
Read the guide →Extensions · Buyer's guide
Gel-X, Acrylic, Builder Gel & Dual Forms
All four extension systems compared honestly — longevity, damage, removal, and cost per wear — so you walk in knowing exactly what to ask for.
Read the guide →Pedicures · Field notes
Jelly, Lemon & Spa Pedicures
The pedicure upgrade tiers, decoded: what a jelly soak actually is, why natural-ingredient pedicures cost more, when the deluxe tier is worth it — and the one hygiene item that matters more than any of them.
Read the guide →Finishes · Quick reference
Chrome, Cat-Eye & French
Finish add-ons explained: mirror chrome powders, magnetic cat-eye gels, and the milky French that refuses to die — how each effect works, and why they all run $10–25 on top of any gel service.
Read the guide →Art · Quick reference
Custom Nail Art
Hand-painted art is priced per nail ($5–25) because it's genuinely labor — a full custom set can take longer than the manicure underneath it. Bring reference photos; good artists love them.
Health first
Whatever the style — protect the nail
Every style guide on this site ends the same way: the removal method matters more than the application. Learn the rules once in our nail care guide.
Read nail care →