A manicure is a cosmetic beauty treatment for the fingernails and hands.

A standard manicure usually involves filing and shaping of the nails, softening and pushing back the cuticles, buffing of the nail plate, cleaning under the free edge, and polish application. Some salons may vary their treatment by offering extras such as hand and arm massage, exfoliation, hand mask, paraffin wax treatment etc. I would recommend clients have a manicure every two to three weeks.

In between these treatments you can maintain your manicured nails at home yourself by exfoliating your hands, filing you nails regularly, and clipping if necessary. Buff nails from side to side every few days to avoid ridges on the nail plate, remove any dirt from under the free edge of the nail and apply cuticle cream / oil to help soften the cuticles.

When you have softened the cuticles, push them back using either an orange wood stick or a plastic hoof pick. Always use a good hand cream as your hands will give away your age. (People tend o forget that their hands and neck give away their age, not just their face and eye area.) Apply nail hardener and or nail polish if needed.

Be sure to follow the steps;

1. Base coat
2. 1st colour coat
3. 2nd colour coat
4. Clear top coat

A with the toes, the nail polish can take some time to dry. Allow a good forty-five minutes for a manicure in the salon, and a further few hours for the polish to fully dry. Even though they are dry to touch does not mean they are fully dry. It can take up to six hours to fully dry.

As I mentioned in the pedicure section, always be aware of the hygiene precautions which the salon are taking. It is within your right to ask questions such as;

• Do you use an autoclave / steriliser?
• Do you use a sanitizing spray or wipes?
• Do you use a non-acetone nail polish remover?

Ignorance is not always bliss. What you don’t know may actually hurt you. Before you pay out, speak up!