The manicure dictionary is a practical tool for anyone who wants to understand the technical terms used in nail care. This A to Z glossary guides you through every key term in the field, whether it's products, techniques, or the necessary equipment.
Manicure dictionary: a reference glossary
From acrylic to semi-permanent nail polish, each definition is written in a clear and accessible way. This manicure dictionary helps beginners train themselves and professionals have a quick reminder of the essential terms.
You will find precise explanations for each step of the manicure: nail preparation, application of tips, choice of UV gels, nail art tools, and care products. Thanks to this detailed glossary, manicure will no longer have any secrets for you.
Understand all the words used in the field of manicure with this glossary.
A
Acrylic: (Resin) Mixture of acrylic powder and monomer liquid creating a paste that is sculpted on the nails with nail forms or tips to perform a nail extension.
Airbrush: (Airbrush) Compressed air machine that sprays paint to create beautiful nail art through airbrush stencils.
Table vacuum: Small vacuum that allows the client's hand to be placed and which sucks up all the dust during the removal of false nails with a file or nail drill.
B
Border the natural nail: Apply the semi-permanent polish or UV gel on the thickness of the free edge of the nail by going slightly under the free edge of the nail. This prevents the polish from chipping at the end of the nail.
Wooden stick: These are small wooden sticks with 2 ends, which allow you to push back the cuticles. In aesthetics, the end of these sticks is covered with a thin layer of cotton and soaked in emollient water to facilitate the pushing back of the cuticles without injuring the client.
Buffing block: (Buffer) 4-sided tool in rectangular shape covered with a rough surface allowing to polish the nails and remove all irregularities.
Manicure bowl: Plastic bowl that allows you to soak the fingertips to facilitate the work on the cuticles. It is often used during hand beauty.
Manicure brush: Small brush that allows you to remove all the dust and residues from the nails.
Latex barrier: (Polish) Latex-based polish that is applied around the nail, on the cuticles and which when drying creates a protection that prevents overshooting onto the skin during the creation of gradient nail art, application of nail polish ... It is removed with the help of a clamp.
Free edge: End of the nail that extends and protrudes from the nail plate, revealing a milky color of the nail.
Arch: During the modeling of UV gel or acrylic, it is important to create an arch, it will reinforce the so-called stress zone (generally the middle of the nail) which is more fragile. This will prevent the extensions from breaking.
Base Coat: Transparent polish that is applied on the natural nail before the application of a colored nail polish. It allows to protect the natural nail from pigments and prevents the yellowing of the nail.
C
Tips: (Tips) Plastic tips with a notch that allows to lengthen the natural nails. They are glued on the natural nail thanks to tip glue. You then have to file them to shorten them and give them the desired shape.
Nail form: Adhesive paper shape that is glued to the end of the nails to be able to sculpt the UV gel or acrylic and thus lengthen the natural nail. Once the application is finished, it is removed.
Cuticle: Small very thin skin located around the nail.
Cellulose cotton pads: Pre-cut non-linting cotton pads. You will generally find them in rolls of 250 cotton pads, 500 cotton pads or 1000 cotton pads.
Cleaner: (Degreaser) Liquid that allows to degrease the natural nail and remove the sticky layer of UV gel that did not harden after curing under the UV lamp.
Cuticle remover: (emollient water) Liquid that is applied on the cuticles and must be left on for a few seconds. It facilitates the work on the cuticles by softening them which allows to push them back easily.
Curing: (Polymerization) Chemical reaction of UV or LED gel that will harden under the UV or LED lamp
D
Tip remover: Acetone-based remover that allows to dissolve the tip when it is poorly glued.
UV gel soak off remover: Remover that allows the melting of UV soak off gels to remove them.
UV Gel Removal: It is the removal of UV gel false nails. You will need to file the UV gel with a coarse grain, then finish with a finer grain then a buffing block. Removal can also be done with a manicure drill. It is important to nourish the nails after removal with a care polish and a cuticle oil.
Semi-Permanent Polish or UV gel soak off removal: It is the removal of semi-permanent polishes or UV soak off gel. File the top coat layer using a file. Soak a non-linting cotton pad with semi-permanent polish or UV gel soak off remover and place it on the nail, using a removal clamp, fix the cotton on the nail. Leave on for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove the clamps and cotton pads then remove the remaining UV gel or semi-permanent polish using a cuticle pusher. Nourish the nails and cuticles well after removal.
Acrylic resin removal: You will need to use an acrylic resin remover or a tip remover to remove the resin false nails. In a suitable manicure bowl pour a small amount of remover and soak the fingertips for 10 to 15 minutes. With a cotton pad soaked in remover and a cuticle pusher remove the remaining resin. Nourish the nails and cuticles well after removal.
Dotting tool: (Spot Swirl) Tool with a round metal tip that allows to create nail decorations, dots or polka dots, marbling or even French nails.
Dehydrator: (Nail prep) It is a liquid that allows to make the moisture of the nail disappear and thus optimize the hold of UV gels, acrylic or semi-permanent polish.
E
Emollient water: (Cuticle Remover) Liquid that is applied on the cuticles and must be left on for a few seconds. It facilitates the work on the cuticles by softening them which allows to push them back easily.
Extension: It is a lengthening of the natural nail made by different techniques like tips or nail form and UV gel or acrylic resin.
F
Fan Brush:(fan brush) It is a fan-shaped brush that allows to create gradients, line drawings or sprinkle glitter on the nails.
French Manicure: It is a style of nail decoration, which consists of applying opaque white polish, UV gel or acrylic on the free edge of the nail creating a smile. This gives an effect of nail lengthening.
C Curve Shape: It is the rounding of the nail seen from the side (on the side)
Foil: Decorated metallic film to transfer using a special glue on the nails to decorate them, foils are often sold in rolls in a plastic box.
Fimo: Small fine decorations (fruits, character, flowers ...) in fimo paste that we glue on the nails to decorate them.
Filament: (striping tape) Small colored adhesive thread that we glue on the nails to decorate them. It can also be used to create stencils.
Lipid Film: Film that waterproofs the nail and maintains its hydration. This film is eliminated as soon as the hands come into contact with water or detergents, which leads to an excessive hydration of the nail and softens it.
G
Kapping: (Kapping) Reinforcement of the natural nail by the application of a UV gel or an acrylic resin on the nail without lengthening.
Monophase UV Gel: (UV Gel 3in1 or onephase) allows to perform all the steps of the UV gel application with a single pot. It combines a Base Gel, building, and finishing.
Self-leveling UV Gel: Gel that once applied will smooth itself, very easy to use.
UV Base Gel: (bonder gel) It is the first layer of gel to apply in a very thin layer. It allows a perfect adhesion of all the other gels.
Camouflage UV Gel: (Cover or Make up gel) It is a gel that is applied after the base and which is totally opaque. Its colors are often nude (from a very light pink to a dark brown) It allows to camouflage all the irregularities of the natural nail. It is often used to create French manicures.
UV Construction Gel: (Modeling gel or builder gel) It allows to build / model / shape the false nails. It is with this gel that we will create the arch.
UV Finishing Gel: (Shinning gel) It is the last layer of gel to apply. It allows to have a shiny finish and to protect the application of false nails and nail art.
UV Soak Off Gel: UV gels that allow to perform applications of false nails but which are removed by dissolution in the UV gel soak off remover.
UV Cat eye Gel: (cat eye effect) Magnetic UV gel that reacts to the magnetization of a magnet. We can thus give an effect to the gel, for example with the cat eye magnet you give a cat eye effect to your nails.
French Adhesive Guide: Small adhesive stencil guide in the shape of a smile, wave or v that are glued on the nails and allow to perform French manicures by applying polish then removing the guide.
H
Cuticle oil: Oil often scented that allows to intensely hydrate your cuticles by regularly applying the oil on the cuticles and performing small massages.
I
3D Inlay: (Inclusion of 3D decoration) It is the covering of a 3D decoration with a layer of transparent acrylic resin or transparent UV gel, which gives an aquarium effect.
J
K
Kapping: (Kapping) Reinforcement of the natural nail by the application of a UV gel or an acrylic resin on the nail without lengthening.
L
UV Lamp: Lamp equipped with UV neon lights that emit UV rays and which will have the effect of hardening the UV gel or semi-permanent polish by chemical reaction. The neon lights are changed on average every 5 to 6 months. It is important to read the instructions before any use.The use of these lamps is regulated and is notably prohibited for minors under 18 years.
LED Lamp: Lamp that allows to harden only semi-permanent polishes and LED gels. The hardening time is shorter than a UV lamp between 30 to 60 seconds. The LEDs are not changed but last a very long time.
Lunule: It is the white part of the nail that is located at the edge of the cuticles and which is in the shape of a half moon. It can be more or less visible depending on the people.
Liner: Very thin and long brush that allows to create lines or other decorations with more precision.
Monomer Liquid: Liquid that is mixed with an acrylic powder and which creates a paste that you then have to apply on the nail then sculpt to create false nails.
M
Manicure: It is a treatment that allows to make the hands and nails impeccable.
Marbled: Nail Art style that consists of mixing several colors on the nail using a spot swirl, which gives a marble effect.
Madrin: Part of the nail drill that we hold in the hand and in which we insert the tips.
Micro Beads: Very small colored beads that we place on the nails to create decorations. It is with these micro beads that we will create a caviar manicure.
N
Nail Art: Term in English to evoke nail decoration.
Brush Cleaner: Liquid allowing to clean the brushes after the use of UV gel or acrylic.
Nail prep: It is a liquid that allows to make the moisture of the nail disappear and thus optimize the hold of UV gels, acrylic or semi-permanent polish.
O
One stroke: Acrylic painting technique on the nails. most often represented by flowers.
P
Guillotine Clamp: Clamp that allows to cut the length of the tips clearly without damaging it.
Pincher Clamp: Clamp with 2 long rods that we put along the parallels of the nail and which allow to give a C Curve shape to the nail. It is put after curing a few seconds the UV gel then during the remaining curing. It is removed once hardened.
Cuticle nippers: Clamp that allows to remove the small dead skin around the nail.
Parallels: These are the 2 sides of the nail that must be parallel. During the application of false nails we indicate that you must file the parallels well to have a beautiful appearance.
Popits: Plastic mold( in the shape of a tip) that allows to easily perform applications of false nails in UV gel or resin. You have to place the gel or the resin in the mold then place it on the nail. Cure for UV gel or let dry for acrylic resin. Then remove the mold.
Primer: Adhesion liquid that allows UV gels, semi-permanent polishes, or acrylic resin to adhere properly. It air-dries and is applied to the natural nail.
Acid-free primer: An acrylate acid-free primer. It is applied to the natural nail and the nail tip.
Nail drill: A machine with a chuck that allows UV gel or acrylic resin nails to be filed by rotating an abrasive bit. The nail drill should never be used on natural nails to avoid damaging them.
Nail preparation: The step of preparing the natural nails for the application of artificial nails. You must disinfect your hands, push back the cuticles, and buff the natural nail with a buffing block. Then, dust the nails and degrease them with a cleaner. You can apply a nail prep and leave it to air-dry.
Airbrush stencil: A reusable flexible plastic stencil for creating nail art with an airbrush.
Velvet powder: (Velvet powder) A powder applied to a top coat that is not yet dry to create a velvet effect on the nails.
Acrylic powder: A powder that is mixed with a monomer liquid to create a paste, which is then applied to the nail and sculpted to create artificial nails.
Dispenser pump: A plastic pump with a pump cap. It allows cotton pads to be easily soaked with liquid.
Removal pliers: Small pliers that clip onto the end of the finger to hold cotton pads soaked in remover on the nails during removal.
Curing: (Polymerization) The chemical reaction of UV or LED gel, which hardens under a UV or LED lamp.
Q
R
Refill: Consists of filing down UV gel or acrylic nails after several weeks of regrowth. Then, applying a new layer on top.
Protection tape: Flexible self-adhesive tape that protects your nails when working on a client.
Hand rest: A rectangular cushion that allows your client's hand to rest during the application.
Glass container: (Godet) Used to hold the monomer liquid so that the acrylic brush can be dipped into it. Glass is easy to clean and disinfect.
S
Spot Swirl: (Dotting tool) A tool with a round metal tip used to create nail decorations, dots or polka dots, marbling, or French manicures.
Nail polish dryer: A spray liquid applied after applying nail polish to dry the polish quickly.
Striping tape: (Filament) A small piece of colored adhesive thread that is stuck to the nails for decoration. It can also be used to create stencils.
T
Top Coat: (Finishing polish) A transparent polish that air-dries and is applied as a finish to nail polish or nail art. It provides a glossy finish and protects your nail art.
UV Top Coat: (UV/LED Top Finish) A transparent polish that cures (hardens) under a UV or LED lamp. It is applied as a finish to UV gel or acrylic application and protects the application. Some need to be degreased with a cleaner after curing, while others do not and are therefore called residue-free.
Twincoat: A transparent 2-in-1 semi-permanent polish that acts as both a base and a finish. It is essential when applying colored semi-permanent polish, as it helps the polish adhere to the nail and provides a glossy finish.
Trolley: A large storage case on wheels, equipped with a telescopic handle for rolling. It can store all your nail prosthesis, makeup, or hairdressing equipment. Ideal for professionals working at home.
U
V
Semi-permanent polish:Colored nail polish that cures (hardens) under a UV or LED lamp. These polishes last approximately 3 weeks. A twincoat (2-in-1 semi-permanent polish) must be applied beforehand.
Nail polish: Classic colored polish applied to the nails and left to air-dry. These polishes last approximately 7 days. To protect your nails, a base coat should be applied, and a top coat for longer wear.
Finishing polish: (Top Coat) A transparent polish that air-dries and is applied as a finish to nail polish or nail art. It provides a glossy finish and protects your nail art.
Base polish: (Base Coat) A transparent polish applied to the natural nail before applying colored nail polish. It protects the natural nail from pigments and prevents the nail from yellowing.
Snails nail polish: Nail polish that air-dries. It was designed for children and is non-toxic, as it contains no toluene, formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), or bisphenol A (BPA). It has no chemical odor and can be removed with soap and water.
W
Water decal: Decorations that look like stickers but are used with water. Cut out the design from the sheet, remove the protective film, and dip the design into a small container filled with water using pliers for a few seconds. Then place the design on the nail and leave it to dry. Finish the application with a top coat to set and protect the design.
Z
Stress zone: This is the area generally located in the middle of the nail that absorbs impacts and twisting. When creating UV gel or acrylic resin artificial nails, this area should be reinforced by creating a slight arch over it to prevent breakage or cracking.
