There’s nothing quite like walking into a nail salon to be (quite literally) waited on hand and foot, before leaving with pristine polish and immaculate cuticles – the kind you just can’t replicate at home. And London has many places to make your dream mani a reality – whether you’ve been inspired by the viral ‘glazed doughnut’ nails, want a lick of colour to match your soirée outfit, or need an express lunchtime nail repair.
But before we get into where to go, it pays to be clued up on the types of manicures you can book. What’s the difference between gel and shellac? Why do beauty editors love BioSculpture so much, and is it worth it?
So, we asked celebrity manicurists Iram Shelton (her clientele includes Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Heidi Klum) and Georgia Rae (the artist behind Sofia Richie Grainge’s bridal nails) to break it down for us, as well as sharing their top aftercare tips and products to prolong your polished paws.
What are the different types of manicures?
Basic manicure
‘The top priority of a basic manicure is to restore the nails and groom them,’ says Shelton. ‘This usually consists of pushing back the cuticles, clipping and shaping the nails, and applying polish or nail treatments. I also like to tend to the skin – a scrub to exfoliate and moisturisers and oils to hydrate. It’s the perfect manicure for anyone looking for regular maintenance and for those who can’t wear gels or acrylics.’
Gel manicure
‘Technically, a gel manicure is the application of gel to your nails, which is set under a UV/LED lamp. There are different types of gel you can get depending on what you need,’ explains Rae. ‘Builder gel has a thicker viscosity and is more suited to those with longer nails or those that wish to grow them as it’s more durable. Soft, flexible gels are suited to people with short or weak nails.’
BioSculpture Gel manicure
BioSculpture Gel is the most popular kind of manicure amongst beauty editors, thanks to its friendly formulas made to preserve the health and strength of your natural nails. ‘There are a range of different bases, which means I can tailor the treatment dependent on nail type, ensuring the manicure lasts for over three weeks,’ says Rae.
Image: Georgia Rae
BIAB manicure
‘Also known as Builder in a Bottle, BIAB is super strong and durable, but has an easier removal,’ says Shelton. ‘This is a great option for those who want overlays or want to grow out their natural nails and need some extra strength.’ It’s also great for creating extensions and repairing broken nails – if your nails break easily, this might be the best option for you.
Shellac manicure
‘Shellac is a patented type of gel by the brand CND. What makes this different to normal gel polish is that it’s a hybrid product of 50% regular polish and 50% gel,’ explains Shelton. ‘It cures under UV light like a gel and lasts longer than regular polish, but it’s probably not as durable as other gel types, so is a great option for those who want their manicure to last just over a week.’
Acrylic manicure
‘Acrylics are made up of a liquid and powder to create a paste, which then solidifies. The downside is that it requires an electric file to remove and can be quite harsh on natural nails if not applied or removed properly,’ says Shelton. ‘I only recommend this to people who are willing to visit a licensed professional for regular maintenance.’
Image: Imram Shelton
How to make your manicure last
1. Wear gloves
Always wear gloves when you’re cleaning. ‘Don’t use your nails as if they are tools – gloves help to protect your hands and nails against the drying effects of water and cleaning chemicals,’ says Rae.
2. Use cuticle oil
Two words: cuticle oil. It’s easy to forget this small step, but according to Rae, incorporating it into your bedtime routine helps. ‘Establishing a regime of applying a nourishing hand cream and cuticle oil together helps. Applying it throughout the day helps, but at the very least, do this as a final step before bed. Take the time to rub in the cuticle oil to stimulate growth – this will help to keep the new nail growing in hydrated.’
3. Moisturise and exfoliate
Just like your facial skincare, your hands also need to be moisturised and exfoliated. ‘Always keep your nails and hands hydrated – I love the Clé de Peau Beauté Hand Cream for the daytime as it contains SPF, and the L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream for a rich overnight treatment,’ says Rae. ‘Regularly exfoliate with a gentle scrub like Jo Malone’s Vitamin E Body Treatment Scrub.’
The best nail salons in London
DryBy
Best for: a pristine manicure
A favourite among beauty editors, DryBy attracts London’s ‘clean girls’ (think Hailey Bieber in all her slicked back-bunned, glass-skinned, sheer-nailed glory), thanks to its pristine, minimalist manicures and meticulous attention to detail. It’s the go-to nail salon for a BioSculpture Gel manicure, with every nail technician working in hyper-focus to ensure you leave the salon with absolutely flawless nails – no lumpy polish or frayed cuticles in sight.
The Bvlgari Spa at Bvlgari Hotel London
Best for: a luxury nail spa experience
A date with Iram in Knightsbridge’s Bvlgari Spa x Iram Shelton Manicure is possibly the most luxury manicure you’ll ever experience. From prep to polish, your hands and nails will be pampered for almost three hours – expect a bespoke consultation, immaculate nail preparation and cuticle care, nail shaping and gel polish (you can even choose a minimal nail design), a hand massage using luxury Bvlgari Au Thé Blanc skincare, and a goodie bag of aftercare gifts.
Iris Avenue
Best for: drinks and nails
A great spot for booking in with friends, this buzzy beauty hub serves cocktails, smoothies, and hot drinks alongside its treatments. As soon as you walk in, you’re met with a cocktail bar, complete with a friendly (and persuasive) bartender. You’re also spoilt for choice when it comes to picking your polish, so the last question remains: will you go sheer, matte, glitter, nail art, jelly, metallic, or chrome?
Townhouse
Best for: minimalist nail art
Every month, there seems to be a new nail art trend doing its rounds on social media. But if you’re struggling to pick your nail art of the week, it’s worth visiting Townhouse London and flicking through its seasonal nail art lookbooks. For SS24, it’s celebrating its first US opening by producing nail art inspired by iconic locations in the LA.
Margaret Dabbs London
Best for: express manicures
If you need a quick lunchtime manicure, take a pit stop at Margaret Dabbs London. Her clinics are dotted across London, from Chelsea and Marylebone to Notting Hill and Richmond, and whilst she specialises in medical pedicures (performed by registered podiatrists – a must to overhaul your foot health), her Express Manicures can transform your nails from poor to pristine within 30 minutes.
Linnaean
Best for: nail recovery
It’s tempting to get acrylics or gel extensions when your nails are brittle and keep snapping, but sometimes, they just need a breather and a lick of ‘healthy’ paint. Linnaean, the luxury beauty destination in the heart of the Embassy Gardens, offers just that. Its ‘non-toxic’ manicures use 90% natural polishes, and it also has add-on treatments such as the IBX Nail Strengthening Treatment, which works to repair damaged and weak nails.
Shoreditch Nails
Best for: vibrant nail art
If you like to go all out with colours, designs, and finishes, look no further than Shoreditch Nails in ever-trendy Shoreditch and Dalston. They’re the cool kids of the nail salons, having collaborated with brands such as Ganni, House of Sunny, and Adidas. Their technicians are the ultimate nail artists who can do anything from intricate swirls and stripes to detailed drawings of characters, as well as 3D designs and logos.
Imagine breezing into one of the world’s most exclusive spas for a complimentary treatment. Or sitting down for a consultation with industry-leading practitioners and experts. You’ll feel your best inside and out with a Quintessentially membership – find out more here.
