Nails
Classic & Gel Manicure
Properly prepped, cleanly finished
- Price
- $35 – $50
- Duration
- 30 min
Overview
What classic manicure involves
A manicure that chips in two days almost always failed at the preparation stage, not the polish. Cuticles that haven't been properly pushed back, oil left on the nail plate, or polish flooded into the sidewalls all cause lifting — and no amount of topcoat rescues them.
So most of the appointment is prep. Nails are shaped to a consistent length and profile, cuticles softened and gently pushed rather than aggressively cut, the plate cleaned and dehydrated, and only then is color applied in thin, even coats that cure or dry properly instead of staying soft underneath.
The classic finish gives you around a week of wear and is the gentler option if your nails are recovering. The gel upgrade cures under lamp for a hard, high-shine finish that reliably lasts two weeks and doesn't smudge on the way home. Both include a hand and forearm massage, because it would be a strange thing to leave out.
Why choose us for this
What you get
Preparation done properly
Most chipping is a prep failure, not a polish failure. The plate is cleaned and dehydrated before a drop of color goes on.
Cuticles pushed, not cut
Softened and gently pushed back. Aggressive cutting causes hangnails and, over time, ridging.
Gel that lasts a fortnight
Cured properly in thin coats — the finish stays hard and glossy for two weeks rather than peeling at day four.
The appointment
How it works, step by step
Soak and shape
Nails soaked, then filed to an even length and profile — square, squoval, round, or almond.
approx. 8 min
Cuticle care
Softened with oil and gently pushed back. Only genuine excess is trimmed.
approx. 7 min
Hand and forearm massage
A few minutes of massage with a rich cream, worked into the cuticles.
approx. 5 min
Polish
Base, two thin color coats, and topcoat — cured under lamp for gel, or air-dried for classic.
approx. 10 min
Pricing
What it costs
Standard
$35 – $50
Duration
30 min
Members from
$28
Up to 20% off with membership
$35 classic, $50 gel. Gel removal $15, free with a new gel set.
Portfolio
Recent classic manicure work
Looking after it
Aftercare
- Cuticle oil daily — the single biggest factor in how long a manicure lasts.
- Wear gloves for washing up; hot water and detergent lift polish fast.
- Don't use your nails as tools. This is the most-ignored and most-effective advice here.
- Book gel removal rather than picking it off — picking takes layers of nail plate with it.
- Rebook gel at two weeks, before regrowth causes lifting at the base.
FAQ
Classic Manicure questions
Two weeks reliably, and often closer to three. Beyond that, regrowth at the base starts to cause lifting, and lifted gel traps moisture underneath — which is what leads to problems.
Gel itself is not the problem; improper removal is. Picking or peeling it off takes layers of the nail plate with it. Booked removal soaks the gel off without damage. If your nails need a break, we'll say so.
Yes. Removal can be booked on its own or as part of a new manicure. Please don't pick it off first — it's much easier for us and much better for your nails if we take it off properly.
About 30 minutes for a classic manicure and 45 for gel, including curing. Add 15 minutes if you need existing gel removed.
Client feedback
What clients say about classic manicure
Devon's nail art is on another level. I bring a Pinterest photo and it comes out better than the reference.
You might also like
Related services
Ready to book your classic manicure?
$35 – $50 · 30 min · both studio locations