A lot of clients ask us whether they should book a "manicure" or "SNS" — as if they're two alternatives. They're not. One is the hand treatment; the other is what colour/finish goes on top of it. Here's how they actually fit together.
What a manicure or pedicure actually is
A manicure (hands) or pedicure (feet) is the treatment itself: shaping the nails, tidying and caring for the cuticles, a hand or foot soak, and usually a short massage. It's about the health and presentation of your hands and feet — not the colour on your nails.
A manicure or pedicure can be booked entirely on its own, with no polish at all, if you just want tidy, healthy-looking nails. It's also the foundation every finish below is applied on top of — skipping it and going straight to a finish means skipping the shaping and cuticle care that makes the finish look good in the first place.
What Shellac, Gel and SNS actually are
These are the three most common finishes — the colour and topcoat applied after your nails are prepped:
- Shellac — a gel-based polish, cured under UV/LED light. High shine, chip-resistant, typically lasts 2-3 weeks. The lightest-feeling option since it's just colour and shine over your natural nail.
- Gel nail paint — similar application and wear time to Shellac; ask us on the day for the specifics of what's in the bottle if you want the exact difference for your nails.
- SNS (dip powder) — nails are dipped into a coloured powder and sealed rather than painted. More durable than Shellac for people who are hard on their hands, and adds a bit of extra strength over the natural nail. Typically lasts 3-4 weeks.
We cover the full comparison — including which suits which lifestyle — in our SNS vs Shellac vs Gel guide.
So which do you actually book?
In practice, almost every appointment is both: the manicure or pedicure (the treatment) plus your choice of finish (Shellac, gel, or SNS) on top. When you book online, you'll see both listed separately in our nails menu and manicure & pedicure menu — pick the treatment for your hands/feet, then pick the finish you want. If you're not sure, tell us in the notes when you book and we'll talk you through it before we start.
When to book just the treatment, no finish
Some clients book a manicure or pedicure with no polish at all — Nail File and Clean is exactly this: shaping and tidy-up only, no colour. It's a good option between full finish appointments, or if you just want your hands and feet looking cared for without a colour commitment.
See the full nails menu · See the full manicure & pedicure menu · Book online.