The 7 Best Manicures in London (2024)

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.

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.

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.’

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.’