Manicures 101
If it is a manicure that you are looking at giving or receiving, then you will want to be sure that you have all of the information before beginning the process. A manicure can be a wonderful experience to give someone as a gift or treat, or to receive one in order to relax and enjoy a simple comfort once in a while. There are many different types of manicures available today, so be sure to explore all of the choices before making a final decision. If you are a manicurist, you will want to be sure that the client is getting the manicure that they want and that it is best for their own personal style and fit for their hands.
Manicures are performed to help the health of the hands and nails. Adding moisture through oils and creams can keep the hands and nails from drying out through regular everyday activity. Hands that are treated regularly will not have to worry about hangnails and cracking, splitting, or peeling nails. Massage during a manicure will help improve the circulation of the hands therefore keeping the skin cells healthy and active, warding off any further aging such as wrinkles. Keeping your hands and nails clean will also promote good health for you or your client overall, since the hands come into contact with unclean surfaces every day.
The tools needed for a complete manicure are essential parts to giving or receiving the perfect hand and nail treatment. A bowl of warm water with added oils or herbs to soak the hands and nails in will add moisture and soften up dry, rough cuticles. Nail brushes are used to help clean the nail beds and remove any dirt or debris to prepare the nails for polishing. Nail cutters or clippers can be used to trim up uneven nails or begin the process of shaping if such is needed. Nail filers will finish the job of shaping the nails into oval, square, or round depending on the type of manicure. Nail buffers can smooth out any damages to the nail beds such as creases, lines or white spots and give the nails an underlying shine. For the cuticles, you will require a cuticle pusher and cuticle clippers to push the cuticle back and cut off the excess. Some may use an orange stick to push the cuticles back and prepare them for trimming.
Once you have soaked, cleaned and prepared the hands and nails during the manicure, the next step will be to apply the polish to the nails. If there is any old polish remaining it will need to be removed before the new application. This can be done with any acetone or non-acetone polish remover and a cotton swab. The use of hand moisturizing is essential in the manicure process in order to add more moisture and keep the hands soft during this process. Many manicures will require a base coat before the application of colored polish, so any creams or oils will need to be wiped off the nail beds in order for the base coat to remain on the nail properly. Nail color should be applied twice to the nail, with time to dry in between applications. A top coat or sealant is essential once the second coat of color is complete to avoid chipping at a later time.
Always allow ample time for a manicure so that the nails have time to dry completely before the hands are active again. This will keep the manicure from becoming damaged from everyday activity before the nails are ready. Any tools and products used for a manicure must be cleaned and sanitized after each use to avoid any contamination between manicure treatments.
