There is probably no such thing as relaxing as getting pampered! And what can be better than getting your delicate hands pampered after using them for all the work you do on your desk or in your kitchen? In such a scenario, manicure treatments come into the picture for providing care and treatment for your hands and fingernails.
What is a Manicure?
A manicure is a cosmetic care treatment aimed at beautifying your hands and fingernails. The primary purpose it offers is to provide care and relaxation to your nails besides enhancing and maintaining their health, hygiene, appearance, and beauty. Manicures help in getting rid of the dry and dead skin on your hands and cuticles along with cleansing and enhancement of your nails.
Types of Manicures
1) Wet Manicure
A traditional manicure, also known as a wet manicure, is a water-based manicure treatment, as the name suggests. Here, the hands are to be soaked in warm water which leads to softening the cuticles and the skin around them. This is followed by trimming the nails and polishing them. However, this process is quite time-consuming and can also lead to product lifting.
2) Dry Manicure
Opposite to the wet manicure, a dry manicure, also known as a soakless manicure, is a waterless approach that doesn’t involve soaking the nails in water. It saves time and includes other steps to hydrate and moisturize the nails besides cleansing, filing, and buffing them. It is also easier for the nail tech to push back the cuticles as they are not wet or soaked
3) Russian Manicure
Quite similar to the dry manicure, a Russian manicure is a nailcare technique that is more precise and intricate. It is performed using a Nail Drill machine that is used for all the dry manicure steps such as cuticle removal, filing, and buffing. It works on a ‘clean beauty’ aesthetic, providing deeply clean and well-groomed flawless nails. This process of dry manicure enhances the longevity and durability of the manicure besides ensuring healthier and stronger growth of nails.
Pros and Cons of Dry Manicure
1) Time-Saving and Mess-Free
Since dry manicures eliminate the soaking stage, you can save your precious time during the procedure and it can also get rid of the hassle of dipping your hands in water and creating a mess.
2) Longevity of the Nail Art
Dry manicures scientifically allow the nail bed to hold the product better so the application becomes easier and problem-free. This ensures that after the process is complete, the product doesn’t peel or chip from the natural nail surface which ultimately increases the durability of the treatment.
3) Stronger Nails and Firmer Cuticles
Soaking in water makes the cuticles plump and the nails soft and easy to bend. This may lead to fragile nails prone to breakage during filing or buffing. Also, once dry, the cuticles might start to peel which will eventually affect the product application. On the contrary, the dry manicure does not weaken the nail bed and helps the technician control the cuticle cleaning process.
4) Cost
There aren’t quite many drawbacks of the dry manicure, however, it can be slightly pricier than the wet manicure. This is because wet manicures are more popular and easily available in the salons. Also, oils and creams used in dry manicures might be costlier than water which makes it overall more expensive.
Step-by-Step Guide to a Perfect Manicure
 1) Nail Prep
The first step is to prepare your nails by gently cleaning them using a paper towel soaked in 100% acetone or a nail cleansing pad. This removes any existing nail polish on your nails along with the dust and natural oils. It ensures that the product lasts longer and there is no chipping or peeling of the product.
2) Cuticle Removal
Use a cuticle pusher to push back the cuticles from the nail bed. Avoid pushing them too much as cuticles are there to protect the nails from bacterial infections, Then, carefully remove the excess dry skin and protein deposit around the nail bed and trim the extra skin using a cuticle remover but be careful not to hurt your skin.
3) Nail Filing and Buffing
Once the cuticles have been trimmed, cut the nails down to the desired length. Next, shape the nails using a nail file and give them a proper shape. Make sure the length and shapes of all the fingernails are equal to get a neat look. Once you get the length and shape of your choice, gently buff the surface of your nail bed using a buffer or a nail drill. This ensures the smooth surface of the nails is buffed and any leftover skin or dust is removed for the product to stick better. Finally, use a dust brush to gently remove any residue from the nails before going ahead with the product application.
4) Painting the Nails
The first phase of this step is to apply a base coat which is crucial to protect the nails from the direct application of the color as well as help in making the product stick better. Once the base coat has been cured, you may go ahead with your nail color application. In this phase, you need to decide on your nail art and choose your colors accordingly. Apply your nail color paint in 2-3 coats depending on the opacity of the product while curing in between each coat. Finally after the application of the nail color and completing the nail art comes the phase of sealing everything together using a top coat. The top coat is the final phase of the entire procedure that ensures everything stays in place for a longer time. Depending on your nail art, you can choose from different types of top coats available in the market or you may simply stick to the clear glossy one for all your arts. In all these phases, the key is to apply thin and even coats of all the polishes. This ensures a neat application and helps cure the product better which allows for a chip-free manicure.
5) Nail Art
Once you are done with phase two of the above step 4, now is the time to incorporate your nail art in the process. Use the correct tools and brushes to create your art wherever you want. You can go all creative and crazy in the nail art depending on your choice. If the art involves multiple steps, make sure you cure in between steps to avoid spoiling the work. You may look for ideas and inspos for your nail art on Instagram or Pinterest or even the celebrities to understand the trends and recreate them in your way.
6) Curing
As stated above, cure your nails under the UV or LED lamp when using gel products and do these between all the steps of product application. You may use the UV or the LED lamp depending on what is mentioned on the product and make sure you follow the prescribed curing time. One layer of the product needs to be dry before applying another layer and that is exactly what curing under a lamp would do for you.
7) Hydrate and Moisturize
To complete the manicure, go ahead with applying cuticle oil or cream on the skin around your nail after finishing all the steps correctly. Cuticle oils help in softening the skin and nourishing the nails besides preventing any dryness, ultimately leading to healthier nails.
Tools and Supplies Needed for Manicure
To correctly follow all the steps mentioned above, you will need certain tools and essential supplies that are required for your manicure and product application along with the nail art.
Manicure Supplies
- Cuticle pusher
- Cuticle remover
- Orange stick
- Paper towels
- 100% pure acetone
- Nail cleansing pads
- Nail file
- Nail buffer
- Dust brush
- Base coat
- Nail polish or Gel polish
- Top coat
- UV or LED curing lamp
- Cuticle oil
Nail Art Supplies
- Nail art brushes
- Nail glue
- Rhinestones
- Nail glitter
- Chrome powder
- Nail stickers
- Dotting tools
- Sponges
DIY Manicure at Home
Even if you are planning to ditch the salon altogether and DIY your manicure and nails at home, it isn’t as difficult as it seems at first. The right nail tools, some practice and tutorials, a little patience, and a lot of time are all that you need to save some bucks by skipping a nail studio. All you have to do is try to have all the tools and supplies in place and follow the above procedure even if you don’t want to get into the hassle of buying gel polishes and curing lamps. You can still make pretty nail art with your regular polishes and can make them last a little longer.
1) Start by cleansing your nails with a nail polish remover.
2) Using a manicure set, clip your nails to the desired length and file them in a proper shape by using the nail file in one direction.
3) Lightly buff the sides of the nails and the top of the nail bed.
4) Slightly push back your cuticles using an orange stick and also clean underneath the tips. Avoid cutting the cuticles when DIYing the manicure to avoid any harm.
5) Now go ahead with your base coat application.
6) Follow up with two or three layers of nail polish waiting for 2 minutes between coats and allowing the product to dry completely. It is advisable to not rush in these steps rather than ruin the entire prep.
7) Finish off with a top coat, let it dry for five minutes, and follow up with a cuticle oil. If you don’t have cuticle oil, you may use a moisturizing hand cream to nourish your skin and cuticles and to give added shine to your nails.
Wrapping Up
Mastering the art of a perfect manicure includes understanding the different types of manicures and exploring their pros and cons for achieving a salon-like manicure at home. By following a step-by-step guide, you can achieve salon-like and longer-lasting results from the comfort of your home. With the right tools and supplies, along with a touch of creativity, you can unleash your inner nail artist and experiment with stunning designs that reflect your personality. So, gather your essentials, treat yourself to your very own DIY manicure session, and let your nails become the canvas of your unique style and personality. Remember, beautiful nails are just a few steps away!
