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Basic Steps for the Manicure

A First, wash their hands and exfoliate them before they sit down. Prepare your manicure soak with warm soap and water and always have clean table towels available.

Step 1 – Remove nail polish on all 10 nails.

Step 2 – File and shape all the nails on the left hand, then soak it while you file the right hand.

Step 3 – Take the left hand out of the water and soak the right hand.

Step 4 – Apply cuticle cream to the left hand. Gently push cuticles back and trim what is necessary.

Step 5 – Remove the right hand from the water. Apply cuticle cream and push cuticles back and trim if necessary.

Step 6 – Massage the hands and arms to the elbow.

Step 7 – Clean the nail plate and under the nails with soap and water.

Step 8 – Remove any lacy edges and trim anything else that needs trimming.

Step 9 – Polish 1 base coat, 2 coats of color and a top coat.

Question & Answers about Manicure

Best maintenance for natural nails?

Essentially, a basic manicure is the best way to keep natural nails healthy, growing, and in good shape. There is no magic in a bottle that can replace the benefits of a manicure on a regular basis.

How often should nails be manicured?

For maximum results, manicure nails weekly. Every other week can be effective, but a weekly manicure will give the best results.

Are there any products that can be applied to make the nails harder and to make them grow?

No, absolutely not, but they can all help. The magic is in the manicure itself combined with a good base and top coat.

What are the best products to use on natural nails?

Natural nail care systems developed by manufacturers that are specifically for natural nails. There are several companies that have very good base and top coats, cuticle creams, and hand  lotions that work in conjunction with each other to provide you a good system to use for maximum results.

Is there anything special I should do when performing a manicure?

Yes, there is. Use a hot oil manicure if your client has dry hands and nails. Take care in trimming the nails and pushing the cuticles back. Be gentle and rub the cuticles every time you apply an oil or lotion to stimulate their growth. The massage is very important so don’t shortchange the client on this.

Other than the basics, the important thing to remember is the detail work on every step you take. A manicure should “clean up and maintain” the nails, so there should not be a hang nail or a rough edge when done.

Is there anything else I can do for add-on services?

You can add a paraffin wax before the manicure, a hand facial with glycolic acid lotions, reflexology, or a wax for the hair on the fingers. Those are just some suggestions and ways to add on to the basic manicure.

What are some of the extra steps I can take in performing a good manicure?

• First and foremost, all your tools should be clean, fresh from your sanitizer. Let the client see that you have cleaned them before use.
• Use a soft clean file while filling the nails. Too many times we see coarse acrylic files used for a natural nail manicure. Your grit should be a 240 or higher, depending on the nails. Here is where you should take extra care using clean files.
• Use a soft fine pumice or hindu stone to go over the edges for a smoother finish. This will give the nails a finished quality that you cannot get from the file, and remove the lacy edges that sometimes elude us. A pumice or hindu stone used for manicuring or pedicuring is made from the same material, varying in coarseness. Either can be sanitized along with your implements and should be sanitized after every use.
• With a soft buffer or the black side of a three-way buffer, gently buff the natural nail plate. This has two purposes: one, it evens out any ridges that may be on the nails; and two, it gives the polish a better surface to adhere to and helps the polish last longer. However, if you see a client weekly, you need to buff her nails only once a month. If you buff them too often you will only weaken them.

DO I need to cut the cuticles?

No. Do so only if necessary. It is not a requirement to cut cuticles during a manicure. If you soften cuticles, push them back and keep them in good condition, it is not necessary to ever cut them.

Can I high-shine the natural nails safely?

Yes you can. Use a small amount of cuticle oil and buffing cream to enhance the shine. Be sure not to buff too much and too quickly. Buff in one direction only. Buffing quickly heats the nails and will make the client uncomfortable.

What is the best home maintenance for a natural nail client to help her polish stay on longer?

Once you find a top coat that works well in the salon, have your client purchase a bottle for home care. Have her apply 1 thin top coat every night for the first three days after the manicure and then every other day until she feels the need to remove the polish or comes in for another manicure. The key is to head off the chipping with extra coats not wait until the polish starts chipping. Another way to keep polish looking fresh is to apply the top coat over the edge of the tip where it wears off first from everyday use. Applying a top coat to the tips of the nails, will help prevent the colored polish from wearing off.