Getting a Manicure

Written by April Reinhardt (last updated March 21, 2022)

1

If you want a quick nail polish change, you could run down to the local drugstore, buy an inexpensive nail polish, and do it yourself. But if you want your nails to look dazzling, with color that won't chip or fade for a long time, then make an appointment at your day spa salon for a professional manicure. Even if you opt for no nail polish, there's something to be said for allowing yourself to be pampered and a letting a professional give you a manicure.

A cosmetic beauty treatment, professional manicures can be performed on nails, on hands, or both. A thorough nail manicure will last at least 40 minutes, and you can expect the following from a professional:

  • She will make sure that you see and know that her tools have been cleaned before she uses them in your session.
  • Her table will be clean.
  • She will inspect your hands and nails, pointing out and discussing any problems with you.
  • She will ask questions about your hands and nails, and address your concerns.
  • She will either cut your cuticles or push them back, asking your preference. If you ask the advantages and disadvantages to each method, she will be able to confidently explain both options and suggest her recommendations.
  • If you have nail ridges, she will remove them by buffing and then fill them in with a good nail base coat.
  • She will remove any cuticle oil before polishing, but never use acetone-based removers, since they will completely dry out the nails. She will simply use soap and water, towel dry, and then apply polish. In that way, the polish will last 10 times longer.
  • She will file your nails in only one direction.
  • If you want polish, she will apply four thin coats: base coat, two coats of polish, and a top coat. Drying time for each coat will be at least 10 minutes.
  • Although there are quick-dry polishes, your professional manicurist will tell you that you should avoid touching your nails for at least an hour after polishing.

Although a professional manicurist will apply acrylic or nail wraps at your request, a good manicurist will advise against it. Gluing fake nails on top of real nails will make the real nails unhealthy. Acrylic and nail wraps allow for air, water, and bacteria to fester until fungus develops.

A true professional manicurist will make sure that you know to remove your polish within 10 days, allowing your fingernails to breathe for 2 days before applying new polish. Use these tips in wisely choosing a manicurist at a reputable salon, and enjoy your new nails!

Author Bio

April Reinhardt

An admin­istrator for a mutual fund man­age­ment firm, April deals with the writ­ten word daily. She loves to write and plans to author a memoir in the near future. April attend­ed More­head State Uni­ver­sity to pursue a BA degree in Ele­men­tary Edu­ca­tion. ...

MORE FROM APRIL

Advertising a Garage Sale

The key to a successful garage sale is advertising. You can have the greatest items at the best prices for sale, but if ...

Discover More

Check Your Smoke Detectors

Never remove the battery from a smoke detector without replacing it immediately. Some fail-safe smoke detectors are ...

Discover More

Common Tactics for Lowering Utility Bills

A few small tactics for lowering your utility bills are to unplug cell phone chargers when you're not using them, place ...

Discover More
More Beauty Tips

Covering Fingernail Ridges

Fingernail ridges can be in indication of certain health problems. If the ridges are vertical, covering the nails should ...

Discover More

Long and Natural Nails

Whether you use nail polish or go for a completely natural look, growing long, natural nails should fit in with your ...

Discover More

Manicures that Last

Getting a manicure to last seems like an unreachable goal, but it doesn't have to be. With some little tricks your home ...

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 2 + 8?

2012-03-09 11:51:18

Maya

It seems as though there are so many nail salons in town and I can say that I have been to almost all of them in search of the "perfect" manicure. There always tends to be some type of problem, like bad ventilation, cutting nails too short, poor hygiene, and unreasonable prices. These are good tips for knowing how to choose a proper salon. Thank you.