Nail Art Guide

French Tip

A classic white tip painted or applied over a sheer or coloured base, clean and timeless, with plenty of room to make it your own with colour or a bit of shimmer at the line.

Best for: a polished, classic look that works for everyday wear or a special occasion alike.

Encapsulated

Dried botanicals or small charms are set beneath a layer of clear gel, giving the nail real depth and dimension rather than a flat printed pattern.

Best for: clients who want something delicate and one of a kind, popular for special occasions.

Hand-painted

Freehand artwork done with detail brushes, anything from small floral accents to a fully custom design.

Best for: clients with a specific idea or reference photo in mind.

Ombré

Two or more shades blended into a soft gradient, no hard line between colors.

Best for: a look that's still classic and wearable day to day but a step up from a plain color.

Cat-eye

Magnetic gel polish pulled into a glowing line with a magnet before curing, the line shifts as your hand moves.

Best for: clients who want something with real shine and movement without going full chrome.

Embossed

Raised, sculpted gel layers built up across the nail for texture you can feel, not just see, more of a padded, contoured surface than a separate applied piece.

Best for: statement sets, clients who want their nails to be a real talking point without going as sculptural as a full 3D design.

3D

Sculpted decorative pieces, bows, flowers, gems, charms, built up in acrylic or gel and applied on top of the nail, fully dimensional rather than a textured surface.

Best for: clients wanting a real showpiece design, occasion sets, competition style looks.

Jelly

A translucent gel over the natural nail, closer to stained glass than a solid color.

Best for: a lighter, more natural looking set that still has color to it.

Chrome

Metallic pigment rubbed into the top coat for a mirror finish.

Best for: clients wanting maximum shine, a strong seasonal or event look.

Glazed

Pearlescent chrome pigment in soft, shifting pastel tones for that glossy "glazed donut" finish.

Best for: clients wanting a soft, glassy shimmer that's not as loud as a full metallic chrome.

Airbrushed

Color sprayed on for a smooth, seamless gradient with no visible brush strokes.

Best for: clean, professional looking gradients, especially multi-color designs.

How Long Each Style Takes

Here's roughly how long a full appointment takes for each style, so you know how much time to set aside.

All times are estimates. Timing depends on the design, nail length and whether removal of existing nails is involved.

Frequently Asked Questions