What is nail layering?
The concept of layering
Derived from the English word "layer," layering is the art of applying multiple beauty products—or even fragrances—in a precise order. The goal? To create a skincare routine that’s both rich and tailored to your needs. While European beauty routines tend to be minimalist, Asian skincare (especially Korean) and Middle Eastern perfume rituals embrace layering to intensify benefits and deliver highly targeted results. The idea is that each layer serves a specific purpose—hydration, nourishment, detox, and more. This trend has now made its way into manicures, enhancing both nail treatments and nail art by playing with polish colours and effects for a flawless finish.
Origins of nail layering
Nail layering is rooted in Japanese manicure techniques, which emphasise nail health and natural radiance through the sequential application of polishes and treatments. This pursuit of natural perfection aligns with the clean nails trend and the growing demand for eco-conscious beauty routines. At Manucurist, this manicure philosophy comes naturally to us—we’ve always approached nail care as a system of layered treatments and/or colour applications.
Nail layering: Manucurist’s take on nail care
Tailoring treatments to every nail type
At Manucurist, nail layering is at the heart of our approach to nail care. We offer personalised routines that combine multiple treatments to deliver the best possible results. Tried and tested! Not sure about your nail type? Find out in just a few minutes with our online nail diagnosis.
Healthy nail routine
Strong, healthy nails grow evenly and without imperfections, but they still need regular care to maintain their vitality.
Our nail layering routine for healthy nails: For two weeks, apply a drop of Complete Serum daily and massage it into the nail and surrounding area to soften and promote healthy nail growth. Every other day, apply Base 5.5, packed with antioxidants and hydrating agents to strengthen keratin and prevent breakage. After a week, remove any residue and apply one or two coats of Active Glow™ to deeply nourish your nails.
Ridged nail routine
Often referred to as nail wrinkles, ridges can appear due to ageing, health issues, emotional stress, or nutrient deficiencies. The good news? There’s a solution to restore smooth, strong nails.
Our nail layering routine for ridged nails: For three to four weeks, gently buff your nails with the prepping buffer to smooth the surface. Every day, apply a drop of Green Oil, a blend of six botanical oils including sweet almond oil, which nourishes nails and cuticles deeply. Every other day, apply a coat of Active Smooth to fill in and smooth ridges.
Damaged Nail Routine
Frequent gel polish applications without breaks or proper care—sometimes even with harsh removal techniques—can leave you with weakened nails that become thin, brittle, or prone to splitting.
Our nail layering routine for damaged nails: Over 2 to 4 weeks (depending on the severity), apply a few drops of Green Oil daily. Every other day, apply S.O.S Base on clean nails without removing previous layers. Enriched with vitamin B5 and AHAs, this powerhouse formula strengthens and restructures the nail plate. After one week, cleanse your nails and apply S.O.S Mask. Leave it on overnight for intense hydration. In the morning, simply peel it off with water.
Soft Nail Routine
Excess moisture, frequent gel polish applications, pollution, or nutritional deficiencies—there are many causes of soft nails, but they can be strengthened with the right care.
Our nail layering routine for soft nails: For 2 to 4 weeks, nourish your cuticles daily with a drop of Green Oil. Every other day, apply Force Base to restore and fortify the nail plate. Use Complete Serum during the day and a drop of Green Oil at night to strengthen your nails from within. To protect them externally, apply Perfecting Concentrate as often as needed.
Active Layering
Always at the forefront of nail care innovation, Manucurist has developed the Active™ range, featuring unique formulas that combine treatment and makeup. These hybrid polishes deeply nourish natural nails while enhancing their appearance. They apply effortlessly, without the need for a base or top coat, dry quickly, and each one targets a specific concern:
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Active Glow™ is a sheer treatment polish, enriched with AHAs and sweet almond oil, designed to nourish nails while giving them a glossy, rosy glow. The intensity varies depending on the fruit extract used (raspberry, blueberry, grape, cranberry...). Perfect for maintaining healthy nails and revitalising them between polish applications.
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Active Bright is a brightening treatment polish that strengthens nails and restores their natural whiteness with lemon extracts. Recommended for reviving dull nails and reinforcing soft, fragile nails.
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Active Shine, enriched with hydrating and antioxidant-rich beetroot extract, is a highlighter that illuminates and repairs. Perfect for instantly enhancing the radiance of damaged nails.
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Active Smooth is a CC Polish that smooths and evens out the nail surface. This all-in-one perfector minimises imperfections with its castor fibre-enriched formula—your best friend for ridged nails! Available in four shades to complement all skin tones.
With Active™, nail layering takes on a whole new dimension. By adjusting the number of layers of a single Active™ polish or combining two different Active™ formulas, you can customise your makeup effect while benefiting from each formula’s targeted care. Smooth & Glow, Shine & Bright, Smooth & Shine… which Active Layering combo is your favourite?
Layering & Nail Art: The Art of Playing with Colours and Effects
Bicolour Layering
By layering two different nail polish shades, you can create unique and ultra-trendy hues. However, choosing the right combination is key, as not all colours blend well together. We recommend pairing a highly pigmented, intense base colour with a sheer, shimmery, or pearlescent top layer to add depth and radiance. Some of our favourite pairings include Midnight x Mermaid, Hortencia x Mermaid, or Hollyhock x Moon, to name a few.
👉 You can create these bicolour layerings using either Green™ or Green Flash™ polishes, but make sure to stick to the same formula and avoid mixing different polish types.
Glazed, Mirror, or Glitter Layering
When applied over a Green™ or Green Flash™ base colour, effect powders make it so easy to achieve a trendy manicure. For the ultimate Glazed Nails look—à la Hailey Bieber—our White Glazed and Pink Glazed powders are absolutely stunning. And for nails that shine like never before, the Mirror Effect powder creates a gorgeous chrome mirror finish. Whether layered over Red Velvet, Milky White, or Hortencia, the effect is pure magic!
And if you want to shine from day to night, indulge in a glitter layering with Manucurist’s biodegradable glitters. Sprinkle them over a bold base colour or a still-wet neutral shade for a uniform sparkle or a subtle gradient, depending on your mood. With over ten glitter shades to choose from, the possibilities are endless. We can’t get enough!
👉 Our pro tip for a flawless manicure: Use a dusting brush to remove excess powder or glitter before applying a top coat to seal your nail art.
For nail enthusiasts, layering is second nature—whether for nail care or styling. Now that you know all the secrets, it’s time to find the nail layering technique that suits your nail type and artistic flair.
