WOMEN – and some men – have long had a fascination with growing their fingernails and embellishing them in the name of fashion.

In the ancient world natural dyes and lacquers were used to stain and paint nails and in some cultures both men and women wore long nails as a sign of high social status.

Today, manicures, pedicures and nail art are so popular that nail bars are springing up just about everywhere and beauty therapists have to work hard to keep up with the trends.

“Many women don’t feel properly dressed without having their nails done,” says Rachael Kenyon, principal lecturer at the White Rose School of Health and Beauty. “It’s not seen as a luxury or a treat – it’s a necessity.”

The school, one of Huddersfield’s training providers for the beauty industry, runs post-graduate courses in the latest nail techniques. It is seeing a dramatic rise in interest for places.

Training courses for Minx nails, for example – a relative newcomer to the industry – take place several times a year. In the past 12 months the college has trained more than 80 people in that technique alone.

For women who want to enhance their natural nails there is an almost bewildering range of possibilities from simple buffing to full-on diamante-studded acrylic tips.

Today we’re offering a guide to the main players:

Minx - The new kid on the block, Minx is a technique that involves ‘wrapping’ nails with a plasticised sheet which is then cut to shape. Invented by an American who wanted something hard-wearing and chip-resistant, it arrived in the UK about two years ago and, says Rachael, “demand is very high.”

This trademarked nail system involves the use of an infra-red lamp to heat the nail film. It has attracted a lot of celebrity attention and is worn by Victoria Beckham, Lady Gaga and Rihanna, to name but a few.

Advantages: On the toes Minx can last for several weeks. Expect it to last for less on the fingertips but it still beats traditional polish. It comes in a wide variety of colours and designs – patterns and images not possible with ordinary techniques. Better than varnish for people with an allergy. It has no drying-down or curing time.

Disadvantages: Does not extend the length of the natural nail and can take up to an hour to apply. It is more costly than a conventional file and polish.

Expect to pay £20 to £25 in a salon.

Shellac - Another new and increasingly popular trademarked technique. Shellac is a tough, long-lasting varnish applied like conventional polish and then hardened under an ultra-violet light. A salon-only treatment, it looks set to take over from ordinary varnish.

“You get a chip-free finish that is instantly dry and people think it’s amazing,” says beauty therapist Helen Wood, who teaches nail techniques part time.

Advantages: Being able to walk out of the salon with no worries about spoiling the polish. Extremely hard wearing and glossy. Strengthens natural nail and ‘irons out’ any bumps or ridges.

Disadvantages: You need a good natural nail as the polish doesn’t lengthen the nail. Still quite costly and some salons will not have a particularly extensive collection of colours.

If peeled off it will remove a layer of natural nail so Shellac needs to be removed by soaking in acetone for 10 minutes.

Expect to pay £20 to £25.

Gel - An alternative to Shellac to strengthen and smooth out imperfect nails. The gel is applied with a special brush, hardened under ultra-violet light and then sculpted and polished.

Advantages: A tough, hard-wearing finish that is good for restoring damaged nails. The odourless gel is less likely to cause an allergic reaction than some techniques.

Disadvantages: Unfortunately the removal of gel nails by soaking in acetone and filing away the residue can damage fragile or brittle nails.

Expect to pay around £20 to £25.