Nail glossary

The words on a salon menu, on a product label, and in the chair — explained the way a tech would explain them. 77 terms across 8 groups.

77 terms

AcetoneThe solvent that dissolves most nail products.
Acrylic applicationBuilding a nail from a liquid and a powder that harden together in the air.
ActivatorThe liquid that sets dip powder and some resins.
Add-onAn extra bought alongside a service rather than instead of it.
AirbrushColour sprayed on as a fine mist instead of brushed.
AlmondTapered sides and a rounded point.
ApexThe highest point of an enhancement, and the reason it does not snap.
AutoclaveA machine that sterilises metal tools with pressurised steam.
Baby boomerA French manicure with the tip blended into the base instead of drawn as a line.
Base coatThe first layer, which makes everything above it stick.
Booth rentA tech pays the salon a fixed rent for their station and keeps what they earn.
BufferA soft block or file that smooths and shines rather than shapes.
Builder gelA thick gel used to add length, strength and an arch.
Cat eyeA moving band of light in the polish, pulled into place with a magnet.
Chair rentalAnother name for booth rent.
ChromeA mirror finish rubbed onto cured gel as a fine powder.
CoffinTapered sides cut flat across the tip.
CommissionThe salon takes the payment and the tech is paid a share of it.
CuringHardening gel with light rather than letting it dry.
CuticleThe thin dead tissue stuck to the plate at the base of the nail.
Cuticle oilOil worked into the skin around the nail to keep it from splitting.
Cuticle pusherA metal or wooden tool that eases back the skin at the base of the nail.
DehydratorA wipe that removes oil and moisture from the nail just before product goes on.
DepositMoney taken at booking and put towards the service.
Dip powderColour built up by dipping the nail into powder between coats of resin.
Dual formA reusable mould that shapes a gel nail from above while it cures.
E-fileAn electric file with changeable bits, used to shape and remove product.
EmployeeA tech on payroll, with hours, taxes withheld and the salon in charge of the work.
EponychiumThe living fold of skin at the base of the nail — not the cuticle.
FillRebuilding the grown-out gap at the base of an enhancement, leaving the rest in place.
Free edgeThe part of the nail that has grown past the fingertip.
French manicureA natural or pink nail with a pale tip across the free edge.
Full setA complete new set of enhancements on all ten nails.
Gel extensionLength added with gel that is cured under a lamp rather than set in the air.
Gel polishColour that stays liquid until a lamp cures it, then wears for two to three weeks.
GreeniesA green stain under the nail from bacteria growing in a lifted pocket.
GritHow coarse a file is — the lower the number, the more it takes off.
HangnailA torn strip of skin beside the nail.
Heat spikeA sudden burning feeling as gel cures under the lamp.
ImplementsThe reusable metal tools — nippers, pushers, clippers.
Independent contractorA tech working for themselves inside somebody else's salon.
Inhibition layerThe sticky film left on gel after curing.
LicenseThe state permit that makes nail work legal to do for money.
LiftingProduct separating from the nail, usually at the cuticle.
LipstickThe tip cut on a slant, like a new lipstick.
LunulaThe pale half-moon at the base of the nail.
MatrixThe tissue under the base of the nail where new nail is made.
MonomerThe liquid half of acrylic, which hardens the powder it is mixed with.
Nail artAnything decorative done on top of the colour.
Nail bedThe skin under the plate — the pink part.
Nail formA disposable sticker the nail is built out onto, instead of a plastic tip.
Nail fungusA fungal infection in the nail — thickened, crumbling and discoloured.
Nail plateThe hard part you see and paint.
Nail prepEverything done to the natural nail before any product goes on.
No-showA booked client who neither arrives nor cancels.
OmbréOne colour fading into another along the nail.
OnycholysisThe nail plate lifting away from the bed underneath.
OvalCurved from the sidewalls to a soft point, like an egg.
OverlayProduct over the natural nail with no length added.
PedicureThe same work on toes, plus the foot.
Pedicure chairThe reclining chair with a foot basin that a pedicure is done in.
PolymerThe powder half of acrylic.
PrimerA liquid that makes product bond to the natural nail.
RebalanceMoving the thickest point of a grown-out nail back where it belongs.
Ring of fireA burn-like ring at the cuticle left by an e-file held too long in one place.
RoundSides straight, edge curved to follow the fingertip.
Service menuThe list of services a salon offers, with prices and times.
SidewallThe skin along each side of the nail.
Smile lineThe curve where the free edge meets the nail bed — and where a French tip is drawn.
Soak-offTaking product off by softening it with acetone rather than filing it away.
SquareStraight sides and a straight edge across the top.
SquovalA square with the corners softened.
StilettoTapered to a sharp point.
TipA pre-made plastic nail glued to the free edge to add length.
Top coatThe last layer, which seals the colour and decides the finish.
UV / LED lampThe lamp that cures gel.
Walk-inA client who arrives without an appointment.

Anatomy

Cuticle

The thin dead tissue stuck to the plate at the base of the nail.

The real cuticle is the clear film on the plate itself, and that is what is pushed back and taken off during prep. The living fold of skin above it is the eponychium, and cutting into it is what causes hangnails and infections.

Most people use "cuticle" for both, which is why the two words are worth separating here.

Nail glossary

Cuticle

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