A stylish manicure is a detail that complements the look and emphasizes status. But what makes it look really expensive? It's not necessarily an abundance of details, excessive decor, or complex design — sometimes elegance lies in minimalism. The effect of luxury is achieved due to the flawless appearance of hands, neat nail shape, as well as the right choice of shades, textures, and techniques. In this article, we're going to figure out what an expensive-looking manicure is, look at specific examples, and tell you which ones you can replicate at home.
Examples of manicure that looks expensive
An expensive manicure is about harmony, restraint, and attention to detail. Let's take a look at the designs that are always associated with luxury.
1. Classic French manicure
If you want to make a manicure that looks expensive, pay attention to the French manicure. This is a timeless classic that never loses its relevance. Its secret lies in its simplicity — a natural base (milk, pink, or beige) with a thin white stripe on the tips of the nails. This design looks luxurious on all nail shapes, regardless of their length. It suits any look — from an office suit to an evening dress.
2. Nude manicure
Nude manicure is about natural beauty with a touch of chic. To make it look truly luxurious, it is important to choose the right shade that will match your skin tone. Beige, milky, pale pink, and caramel colors can be complemented with a glossy, pearlescent, or satin finish. This design looks stylish, restrained and suitable for both everyday life and important events.
3. Burgundy manicure
A design using deep shades of burgundy is a manicure that looks expensive, especially if you finish it with a glossy or shimmering top. Such a coating looks great on short, medium, and long nails, as long as their shape is perfect. To enhance the effect, you can add golden accents to the burgundy coating — a thin stripe or dot on one nail.
4. Abstract manicure
Abstract design is an expensive manicure with light strokes, chaotic lines, smooth color transitions (for example, from gray to white), geometric or arbitrary shapes. To make such a design look luxurious, you should use a neutral base (nude or milky) as a base. Additionally, you can add gold or silver accents. The main thing is not to overdo it so that the manicure remains elegant.
5. Chocolate-colored manicure
Chocolate coating is a manicure that looks expensive. Besides, this color is one of the trends of this season. It looks great in any version, but especially with a glossy finish on long almond-shaped nails. To enhance the effect, you can decorate one nail with small rhinestones or foil.
6. Milk-colored manicure
A milky finish is a manicure that looks expensive, delicate, and elegant. It perfectly matches tanned skin and is suitable for any length and shape of nails. It can be worn in a monochrome version or complemented with a light design — delicate glitter, marble patterns, or subtle gold accents. The main thing is an even coating and perfect nail shape.
7. Metal manicure
Metallic design is a manicure that looks expensive, unusual, and eye-catching. Silver, gold, or bronze shades create the impression that your nails are made of precious metal. This design is especially effective when combined with a glossy finish.
8. Beige matte manicure
A beige matte finish is a classic manicure that looks expensive, stylish, and luxurious, regardless of fashion trends. Its peculiarity is a velvety texture without glossy shine. The shades of beige range from light cream to deep caramel, so you can choose the perfect tone to match your skin color. Additionally, this coating can be decorated with a minimalist design — thin golden lines or a subtle ombre.
9. Marble manicure
Something that repeats natural motifs always looks expensive, and marble manicure (an imitation of natural stone) is no exception. But there are nuances here. To create such a design, you should choose shades of the same color and make sure that they are not too contrasting. This is how you can achieve a natural effect. And it is worth remembering that this design does not require additional decor — the texture itself is a decoration.
10. Chrome manicure
Chrome design is a manicure that looks expensive. It resembles polished metal. This effect is achieved by applying a special rubbing agent to the coating. To make such a design look luxurious, it is worth leveling the nail plate well. It is also better to give preference to restrained shades.
How to make a manicure that looks expensive at home?
Creating a manicure that looks expensive at home is quite possible if you know a few secrets and have a basic set of tools. You don't need professional skills or expensive materials — the main thing is accuracy and the right approach.
Which of the above designs can be repeated at home? Almost all of them — from classic French to marble or chrome. It all depends on your desire and preferences. However, to start with, it is better to choose something simple — for example, a chocolate-colored manicure. You will need:
- Hand sanitizer (alcohol or special spray).
- Nail file and buff.
- Cuticle remover (softener).
- Orange stick or metal pusher.
- Chocolate gel polish is a warm brown shade.
- Transparent top.
- Cuticle oil (with almond or jojoba) and hand cream.
- Lamp (UV or LED).
Before proceeding with the design, the hands need to be prepared, because an expensive manicure is not only about a beautiful coating. Firstly, it is about a well-groomed cuticle and a symmetrical nail shape. At the preparation stage, you need to follow these steps:
- Wash your hands with soap and water and treat them with an antiseptic.
- If there is an old coating, remove it with a special liquid.
- Apply the remover to the cuticle and wait for it to work.
- Push back the cuticle with an orange stick and remove the dead skin with a cotton pad (a neat cuticle is the basis of an expensive manicure).
- Use a nail file to give your nails a symmetrical and uniform shape.
- Buff the surface of the plate.
After that, you can proceed to the design itself. First, the nail plate needs to be degreased with alcohol or a special product. The next step is to apply a thin layer of the base (you can choose transparent or milky). Let the base dry in the lamp (UV — 2 minutes, LED — 30–60 seconds).
In the next step, apply a thin layer of chocolate gel polish from the base to the tip of the nail and dry it in the lamp. If the color is not saturated enough, repeat the procedure. After that, the final touch is to apply a transparent shine top.
A manicure that looks expensive is not about the price or a lot of decors, but about attention to detail, accuracy, and harmony.