What is a Manicure?

A manicure is a luxurious beauty treatment for the fingernails and hands that results in clean, soft and perfectly-polished nails. Both men and women get manicure treatments in salons and spas – not simply to keep their hands looking their best, but as a fun and inexpensive way to pamper themselves.
If you’ve never had a professional manicure before, here’s what you can expect:

First, a bit of maintenance work.

The first part of your manicure will involve cleaning, cutting and shaping your nails. Old nail polish will be removed, your nails will be cut and shaped and the surface of your nails will be smoothed out with a buffer. Your cuticles will also get a little TLC…first by softening them with a bit of cuticle oil and then by pushing them back with an orangewood stick. Depending on the type of manicure you’re getting, you may also be treated to a hand and arm massage or a moisturizing paraffin treatment.

Now comes the polish.

What is a manicure without a bit of polish? Even if you don’t like color on your nails, a simple clear coat of nail polish can go a long way in enhancing the look of your hands. Before your manicurist applies your polish, however, don’t be surprised if she swipes each nail with a bit of nail polish remover first. This is important for removing any excess oil or dirt from the nail – debris that will prevent your manicure from lasting as long as it should.
Now that your nails are clean, your manicure will begin with a base coat to help prevent streaks and to create a smooth surface for the polish to “stick” to. Once the base coat is dry, your manicurist will apply two light coats of color, followed by a top coat to seal in the color and smooth away mistakes.

Optional Manicure Styles

Plain polish is far from the only option available to clients in a nail salon or spa. Vibrant nail art, acrylic nails, airbrush designs, gel and silk wraps are just a few of the options you can choose from. And let’s not forget about our other set of nails…because what is a manicure without an equally-satisfying (and often necessary) pedicure?