Is לק ג׳ל the same as a gel manicure?

לק ג׳ל can mean gel polish alone. מניקור ג׳ל more strongly suggests preparation plus gel, but the salon must confirm the included steps.

Is הרמת גבות a surgical brow lift?

No. On a salon menu, הרמת גבות usually means brow lamination, which chemically redirects existing brow hairs.

Can I go to the mikveh with gel nails?

Gel, polish, acrylic, and artificial nails can raise chatzitzah questions. Yoatzot Halacha says removal is preferable, while some intact, clean, long-lasting manicures may be permitted depending on their condition and the ruling. Check with the mikveh in advance.

Israeli Nails and Beauty Guide: Hebrew Terms

Nails and Feet

A hand with a classic pink manicure, manikur klasi

On the label or sign

שיוף: filing or shaping
מריחת לק: polish application
לק רגיל: regular polish

מניקור / מניקור קלאסי / מניקור ספאManicure

manikur / manikur klasi / manikur spa

US English

manicure

UK English

manicure

What it is

מניקור is an umbrella service for fingernail shaping and hand and nail grooming. מניקור קלאסי usually adds cuticle or skin work and regular polish, while מניקור ספא adds listed extras such as scrub, massage, mask, or paraffin.

The difference

Polish is not always included. A spa package has no fixed list of extras.

Common mistake

Do not assume a manicure includes color, gel removal, or gel polish; ask for the included steps.

An electric nail file at the cuticle during a dry manicure

On the label or sign

רוסי: Russian
יבש: dry
מכשירי: machine based

מניקור יבש / מניקור רוסי / מניקור מכשיריDry or e-file manicure

manikur yavesh / rusi / makhshiri

US English

dry or e-file manicure

UK English

dry or e-file manicure

What it is

This is a dry, close cuticle-preparation technique that commonly uses an electric file and bits. The service may also be called a Russian or machine manicure.

The difference

The name describes the preparation technique. The name does not specify a polish or gel system.

Common mistake

Do not read Russian manicure as a brand, polish style, or gel service.

A hand with gel polish drying in an LED lamp, lak gel

On the label or sign

לא כולל מניקור: manicure not included
כולל הסרה: removal included
לא כולל הסרה: removal not included

לק ג׳ל / מניקור ג׳לGel polish

lak gel / manikur gel

US English

gel polish / gel manicure

UK English

gel polish / gel manicure

What it is

Base, color, and top are cured under a UV or LED lamp. לק ג׳ל can mean the coating alone, while מניקור ג׳ל more strongly suggests preparation plus coating.

The difference

Gel polish is not an extension or automatically a full manicure. The transition period for pre-update TPO stock ended on 1 September 2026, but TPO-free is not a blanket safety certification and a product can still contain HEMA or DI-HEMA.

Common mistake

Ask whether filing, cuticle work, old gel removal, and foot care are included instead of booking from the word gel alone.

On the label or sign

מבנה אנטומי: structured anatomical overlay
בילדר: builder material
ציפוי: overlay or coating

מבנה אנטומי / חיזוק ציפורן טבעית / ציפויStructured nail overlay

mivneh anatomi / khizuk tziporen tivit / tzipui

US English

structured gel or strengthening overlay

UK English

builder-gel or strengthening overlay

What it is

מבנה אנטומי uses builder material shaped over the natural nail to create balance, reinforcement, and an apex. חיזוק ציפורן טבעית or ציפוי adds a reinforcing layer in gel, acrylic, or another named system.

The difference

An overlay normally keeps the natural nail's length. An anatomical structure generally does not add substantial length.

Common mistake

Do not translate מבנה אנטומי as an anatomy treatment or confuse an overlay with extensions.

A hand with long sculpted nail extensions

On the label or sign

בנייה בג׳ל: gel extensions
בנייה באקריל: acrylic extensions
בנייה בפוליג׳ל: polygel extensions

בניית ציפורנייםNail extensions

bniyat tzipornayim

US English

nail extensions / artificial nail enhancement

UK English

nail extensions / nail enhancements

What it is

בניית ציפורניים is the umbrella term for constructing or lengthening an artificial nail. Menus may name gel, acrylic, polygel, full-cover gel tips, or reusable dual forms.

The difference

Gel extensions use light-cured builder gel. Acrylic uses powder and liquid, polygel is a hybrid modeling material, Gel-X style tips remain on the nail, and dual forms are removed after molding.

Common mistake

Do not book gel color when length is wanted or book construction when only color is wanted.

A fingertip dipped into coloured dip powder, tevilah

On the label or sign

טבילה: dip
לק ג׳ל DIP System: dip system menu wording

טבילה / DIP SystemDip powder

tevilah / dip system

US English

dip-powder manicure or extensions

UK English

dip-powder manicure or extensions

What it is

Dip is a resin-and-powder nail system offered for color, reinforcement, or length, depending on the salon. The system differs from liquid-and-powder acrylic and gel polish.

The difference

The word dip does not say whether the service is an overlay or an extension. The word also does not refer to soaking off old product.

Common mistake

Ask whether the dip service adds length before booking.

On the label or sign

מילוי: fill or infill
תיקון ציפורן: nail repair
השלמת ציפורן: nail replacement or completion

מילוי / תיקון ציפורן / השלמת ציפורןFill or nail repair

milui / tikun tziporen / hashlamat tziporen

US English

fill, rebalance, or single-nail repair

UK English

infill, rebalance, or nail repair

What it is

מילוי maintains an existing compatible overlay or extension after natural growth by filling the gap and restoring structure. תיקון ציפורן or השלמת ציפורן repairs or recreates one or a few broken or missing enhancements.

The difference

A fill is not a new full set. A single-nail repair may be a separate add-on.

Common mistake

Do not assume a fill works over another salon's unknown system or that every repair is included.

On the label or sign

הסרת לק ג׳ל: gel-polish removal
הסרת בנייה: extension or construction removal
הסרה ומניקור: removal plus manicure

הסרת לק ג׳ל / הסרת בנייהGel or extension removal

hasarat lak gel / hasarat bniyah

US English

gel or enhancement removal

UK English

gel or extension removal

What it is

Removal depends on the material. Soak-off gel can use acetone, while hard gel or acrylic may require filing.

The difference

הסרה ומניקור is a larger service than removal alone. Different products called gel do not all dissolve in the same way.

Common mistake

Do not peel or pick off the product or assume removal is included with the next service.

On the label or sign

פרנץ׳: French design
אומברה: ombré gradient
בייבי בומר: pink or nude to white gradient

פרנץ׳ / אומברה / בייבי בומרFrench or ombré design

French / ombre / baby boomer

US English

French tips or ombré nail design

UK English

French manicure or ombré nail design

What it is

פרנץ׳ is usually a pale or nude base with a contrasting tip. אומברה is a gradient, while בייבי בומר describes a soft pink or nude to white gradient.

The difference

These names describe color designs. They do not name a strengthening or extension system.

Common mistake

Choose regular polish, gel, or construction first, then ask for the design.

On the label or sign

קישוטים: decorations
עיצובים: designs
נייל ארט: nail art

קישוטים / עיצובים / נייל ארטNail art

kishutim / itzuvim / nail art

US English

nail art

UK English

nail art

What it is

These menu terms cover art, stones, lines, chrome, and other decoration applied over the chosen nail service. Nail art may be listed per nail.

The difference

Nail art is an add-on rather than a base manicure, overlay, or extension system.

Common mistake

Do not assume detailed art is included with a plain-color service.

On the label or sign

לא כולל כף רגל: whole foot not included
טיפול בכפות הרגליים: foot treatment
פדיקור טיפולי: advanced or treatment pedicure

פדיקור / מיני פדיקור / פדיקור ספא / פדיקור רפואיPedicure

pedikur / mini pedikur / pedikur spa / pedikur refui

US English

pedicure or advanced foot care

UK English

pedicure or advanced foot care

What it is

פדיקור covers toenail and foot grooming, while מיני פדיקור is a shorter, nail-focused service. פדיקור ספא adds listed extras, and פדיקור רפואי or טיפולי usually means more intensive work on hard skin or problem nails.

The difference

A mini service may exclude the whole foot. The word רפואי does not prove that the practitioner is a physician or a state-licensed health professional, because cosmetology is not a licensed profession in Israel.

Common mistake

Ask which nail, skin, foot, polish, and gel steps are included and who performs a service labeled medical.

A hand dipped in a paraffin wax bath, parafin

On the label or sign

החדרת לחות: moisture treatment
אמבט פראפין: paraffin bath

פראפין לידיים / לרגלייםParaffin treatment

parafin la-yadayim / la-raglayim

US English

paraffin hand or foot treatment

UK English

paraffin wax hand or foot treatment

What it is

Warm paraffin is used as a moisturizing spa add-on for hands or feet. A salon may list a paraffin bath separately from a manicure or pedicure.

The difference

Paraffin treatment has nothing to do with depilatory hair-removal wax.

Common mistake

Do not book paraffin when asking for waxing.

Waxing and Hair Removal

Waxing a forearm with a stick and a wax pot, sha'avah

On the label or sign

שעווה חמה: hot wax
מתקלפת: peelable hard wax
רצועות שעווה: wax strips

הסרת שיער בשעווה / שעווהWaxing

hasarat sear be-shaavah / shaavah

US English

waxing

UK English

waxing

What it is

שעווה is the umbrella term for removing hair from the root with depilatory wax. שעווה חמה or מתקלפת sets and lifts without a cloth strip, while שעווה קרה or רצועות שעווה uses strips or comes ready coated.

The difference

The wax method does not define the body area or its boundaries. Israeli hygiene rules require skin antisepsis before hair removal and disposal of used cloth strips and wooden applicators after each client.

Common mistake

Name the body area and boundaries instead of asking only for wax.

A ball of sugar paste on a forearm, sugaring

On the label or sign

סוכר: sugar
סוכרינג: sugaring

הסרת שיער בסוכר / סוכרינגSugaring

hasarat sear be-sukar / sugaring

US English

sugaring

UK English

sugaring

What it is

Sugaring removes hair from the root with sugar paste. Menus may group sugaring with waxing even though the removal medium is different.

The difference

סוכר must be requested directly. שעווה טבעית does not establish that the salon is offering sugaring.

Common mistake

Do not assume sugar and wax use the same ingredients or that every wax salon offers sugaring.

Hands holding a twisted thread used for threading, khut

On the label or sign

בחוט: by threading
פנים ללא גבות: face excluding brows
שפם: upper-lip area

הסרת שיער בחוט / חוטThreading

hasarat sear be-khut / khut

US English

threading

UK English

threading

What it is

Twisted thread removes rows of facial or brow hairs. Common menu areas include brows, the upper lip, chin, and face.

The difference

חוט names the removal method rather than a brow shape. Israeli hygiene rules require the thread to be single-use.

Common mistake

Ask for threading plus the exact facial area instead of using חוט as a style name.

On the label or sign

חצי יד / יד שלמה: half arm / full arm
חצי רגל תחתונה / רגל שלמה: lower half-leg / full leg
גב וכתפיים: back and shoulders

בית שחי / ידיים / רגליים / גבBody-area waxing

beit shekhi / yadayim / raglayim / gav

US English

underarm, arm, leg, torso, or back wax

UK English

underarm, arm, leg, torso, or back wax

What it is

Israeli waxing menus divide the body into separate zones. יד can mean the whole upper limb, רגל can mean the leg rather than only the foot, פס בטן is a narrow stomach line, and גב וכתפיים expressly includes shoulders.

The difference

A half arm or lower half-leg service does not define every edge. Fingers, toes, knees, shoulders, neck, and nearby areas may be separate.

Common mistake

Confirm the start and end points and any fingers, toes, knees, hands, shoulders, or neck before treatment.

On the label or sign

מפשעות חלקי: partial groin or bikini area
מפשעות מלא: full groin, with boundaries to confirm
פס ישבן: buttock cleft strip

מפשעות חלקי / מפשעות מלא / ישבן / פס ישבןBikini and buttock waxing

mifsaot khelki / mifsaot male / yashvan / pas yashvan

US English

bikini-area or buttock waxing

UK English

bikini-area or buttock waxing

What it is

מפשעות חלקי is partial groin or bikini-area waxing. מפשעות מלא means full groin on the menu, while ישבן names the outer buttocks and פס ישבן names the cleft strip.

The difference

The Hebrew terms do not guarantee the same boundaries as US bikini or Brazilian services or UK bikini, Brazilian, or Hollywood services. מפשעות מלא does not by itself promise what remains at the front or whether the labia or buttock strip are included.

Common mistake

Confirm what remains at the front, whether the labia are included, and whether פס ישבן or ישבן עמוק is included.

Eyebrows

A flat lay of eyebrow tools, itzuv gabot

On the label or sign

עיצוב גבות: eyebrow shaping
ניקוי גבות: brow cleanup
מיפוי גבות: brow mapping

עיצוב גבות / ניקוי גבות / מיפוי גבותBrow shaping and cleanup

itzuv gabot / nikui gabot / mipui gabot

US English

eyebrow shaping, cleanup, or mapping

UK English

eyebrow shaping, tidy, or mapping

What it is

עיצוב גבות establishes or refines the brow line. ניקוי גבות removes regrowth around an existing shape, while מיפוי גבות measures and draws the intended outline before shaping or pigment work.

The difference

Mapping is a planning step rather than a hair-removal method. Shaping does not automatically include tint, lamination, or permanent makeup.

Common mistake

Ask for the exact action and confirm whether mapping, trimming, upper-lip work, or color is included.

A cup of brow tint with a brush, tzeviat gabot

On the label or sign

צביעת גבות: brow tint
עיצוב + צביעה: shaping plus tint
חינה: henna

צביעת גבות / גוון גבות / חינה לגבותBrow tint or henna

tzeviat gabot / gavan gabot / khina la-gabot

US English

brow tint or henna brow tint

UK English

eyebrow tint or henna brow tint

What it is

צביעת גבות or גוון גבות applies temporary color to brow hairs, and some formulas briefly stain the skin. חינה לגבות is marketed as henna and is often chosen for a stronger skin and hair stain.

The difference

Tint and henna are not microblading or cosmetic tattoos. The word חינה does not prove that a product is pure plant henna or free from allergy risk.

Common mistake

Do not assume every brow color enters the skin or lasts like permanent makeup.

A brushed-up glossy eyebrow, haramat gabot

On the label or sign

הרמת גבות: brow lamination
למינציית גבות: brow lamination

הרמת גבות / למינציית גבותBrow lamination

haramat gabot / laminatzyat gabot

US English

brow lamination

UK English

brow lamination

What it is

Brow lamination chemically softens and redirects existing brow hairs, then fixes the hairs in a chosen direction. Color and shaping may be separate or bundled.

The difference

הרמת גבות does not surgically lift the brow and does not create new hair.

Common mistake

Do not confuse brow lamination with Botox, surgery, a lash lift, or permanent makeup.

On the label or sign

שיקום גבות טבעיות: natural-brow rehabilitation

שיקום גבות טבעיותNatural-brow rehabilitation

shikum gabot tiviyot

US English

natural-brow rehabilitation program

UK English

natural-brow rehabilitation program

What it is

This is a salon program for brows thinned or distorted by over-plucking. The program usually uses conservative shaping over several visits and may include tint or lamination.

The difference

שיקום is a marketing umbrella rather than a standardized medical treatment. Ask for the visit plan, growth period, mapping, and services included.

Common mistake

Do not expect one session, guaranteed regrowth, or regulated medical therapy.

A microblading pen and pigment cup, microblading

On the label or sign

מיקרובליידינג / שיטת השערה: microblading or hair-stroke brows
הצללת פודרה: powder shading
טאצ׳ אפ / רענון / כיסוי: touch-up, refresh, or cover-up

איפור קבוע / מיקרופיגמנטציה לגבותPermanent brow makeup

ipur kavua / mikropigmentatzya la-gabot

US English

permanent makeup / cosmetic tattooing

UK English

semi-permanent makeup / cosmetic tattooing

What it is

Pigment is introduced into the upper skin to create a longer-lasting brow. מיקרובליידינג or שיטת השערה imitates individual hairs, הצללת פודרה creates a softly shaded effect, and שיטה משולבת combines strokes with shading.

The difference

Israeli rules treat long-term makeup as a skin-penetrating service requiring sterile single-use needles. A scheduled completion visit, a later refresh, and a cover-up are different appointments.

Common mistake

Do not treat cosmetic tattooing like temporary tint or assume every hair-stroke service uses a manual blade.

Eyelashes

A cup of lash tint with a micro brush and pads

On the label or sign

צביעת ריסים: lash tint

צביעת ריסיםLash tint

tzeviat risim

US English

lash tint

UK English

eyelash tint

What it is

Temporary dye darkens natural lashes. A salon may bundle tint with a lash lift.

The difference

Lash tint adds color, not length, curl, or artificial fibers.

Common mistake

Do not expect mascara-like thickness or use ordinary hair dye around the eyes.

Silicone pads and tools for a lash lift, haramat risim

On the label or sign

הרמת ריסים: lash lift
צביעה: tint, which may be included or separate

הרמת ריסים / למינציית ריסיםLash lift

haramat risim / laminatzyat risim

US English

lash lift

UK English

lash lift / lash perm

What it is

Natural lashes are set upward around a silicone shield with chemical lotions. Tint may be included or sold separately.

The difference

A lash lift curls existing lashes and adds no extension fibers. הרמה means a different service when the menu names brows instead of lashes.

Common mistake

Do not confuse a lash lift with eyelash extensions or assume tint is included.

Tweezers holding an eyelash extension over a tray, ha'arakhat risim

On the label or sign

קלאסי / D1 / אחד־על־אחד: classic one-to-one extensions
D2 / D3 / ווליום: numbered volume extensions
מגה ווליום: denser volume category

הארכת ריסים / הלחמת ריסים / הדבקת ריסיםEyelash extensions

haarachat risim / halkhamat risim / hadbakat risim

US English

semi-permanent eyelash extensions

UK English

semi-permanent eyelash extensions

What it is

Artificial fibers are bonded to natural lashes with adhesive. קלאסי or D1 usually means one extension to one natural lash, while D2, D3, 2D, 3D, and ווליום use small fans of multiple fine fibers.

The difference

הלחמה sounds like soldering, but the service uses glue rather than heat or metal. Numbered volume labels do not guarantee the same finished density from every artist.

Common mistake

Do not expect strip lashes or assume D1, D2, or D3 names a curl, length, or adhesive grade.

On the label or sign

מילוי D1/D2/D3: fill for the named extension style
הסרת ריסים מוארכים: eyelash-extension removal

מילוי ריסים / הסרת ריסים מוארכיםLash fill or removal

milui risim / hasarat risim muarakhim

US English

lash-extension fill or removal

UK English

lash-extension infill or removal

What it is

מילוי ריסים replaces shed extensions and restores an existing compatible set. הסרת ריסים מוארכים professionally removes extension adhesive and fibers.

The difference

A fill is not a first full set. Extension removal is separate from a fill and from removing mascara or strip lashes.

Common mistake

Do not pull extensions off at home or assume another artist can fill every existing set.

Ask for	Look for in Israel	Keep in mind
Classic manicure	מניקור קלאסיmanikur klasi	Confirm polish and removal.
Gel polish	לק ג׳לlak gel	Confirm whether manicure is included.
Structured overlay	מבנה אנטומיmivneh anatomi	Builder material over the natural nail.
Nail extensions	בניית ציפורנייםbniyat tzipornayim	Ask for the material and length.
Nail fill	מילויmilui	For compatible product already on the nail.
Gel-polish removal	הסרת לק ג׳לhasarat lak gel	Removal alone is not a manicure.
Waxing	הסרת שיער בשעווה / שעווהhasarat sear be-shaavah / shaavah	Name the area and confirm boundaries.
Brow shaping	עיצוב גבותitzuv gabot	Confirm the hair-removal method.
Brow lamination	הרמת גבותharamat gabot	Redirects existing brow hairs.
Lash lift	הרמת ריסיםharamat risim	Confirm whether tint is included.
Eyelash extensions	הארכת ריסיםhaarachat risim	Choose classic or a volume style.

Mix-Ups to Avoid

Nails and Feet

מניקור / מניקור קלאסי / מניקור ספאManicure

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

מניקור יבש / מניקור רוסי / מניקור מכשיריDry or e-file manicure

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

לק ג׳ל / מניקור ג׳לGel polish

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

מבנה אנטומי / חיזוק ציפורן טבעית / ציפויStructured nail overlay

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

בניית ציפורנייםNail extensions

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

טבילה / DIP SystemDip powder

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

מילוי / תיקון ציפורן / השלמת ציפורןFill or nail repair

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

הסרת לק ג׳ל / הסרת בנייהGel or extension removal

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

פרנץ׳ / אומברה / בייבי בומרFrench or ombré design

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

קישוטים / עיצובים / נייל ארטNail art

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

פדיקור / מיני פדיקור / פדיקור ספא / פדיקור רפואיPedicure

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

פראפין לידיים / לרגלייםParaffin treatment

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

Waxing and Hair Removal

הסרת שיער בשעווה / שעווהWaxing

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

הסרת שיער בסוכר / סוכרינגSugaring

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

הסרת שיער בחוט / חוטThreading

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

בית שחי / ידיים / רגליים / גבBody-area waxing

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

מפשעות חלקי / מפשעות מלא / ישבן / פס ישבןBikini and buttock waxing

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

Eyebrows

עיצוב גבות / ניקוי גבות / מיפוי גבותBrow shaping and cleanup

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

צביעת גבות / גוון גבות / חינה לגבותBrow tint or henna

What it is

The difference

Common mistake