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Pampering The Nails: Manicures And Pedicures
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Published: July 25, 2006
The Manicure
A manicure is a relaxing, beautifying treatment for your hands and nails. Manicures can be an occasional treat for some while a weekly ritual for others. Popular manicures include painted or artificially jeweled designs as well as French manicures with the signature white-tipped nails. Whether you go for a glamorous or traditional look, the flawless and striking appearance of a manicure never fails to allure.
What is involved in a Manicure?
While manicures can have many different appearances, they all follow a fairly uniform procedure. The first step is washing and drying the hands and cleaning the nails. The manicurist will remove any leftover nail polish at this stage, too. Following this, the manicurist will shape the nails with a file. The most common shape is an oval; however, you can request a square shape. The hands are then soaked in water to soften the cuticle. The cuticles are pushed back with an orangewood stick. Then, a cuticle clipper is used to trim any rough edges. Cuticle remover is sometimes applied to help eliminate this extra cuticle. Next, cream is applied to the nails and left on for about two to three minutes. The manicurist will remove the excess cream with a tissue. The nails will then be ready to paint. First, the base coat is applied, followed by two regular coats of polish. Finally, a topcoat is added. Nails dry in about 20 minutes; however, it will take an hour before you are totally safe to use your hands. You should try using the base of your fingers until then.
The French Manicure
This manicure is meant to exaggerate the contrast between the tip of the nails and the main part of the nails. The process is the same as a regular manicure except the polish is neutral, matching the nail bed. The naturally white tip of the tail is then painted with an opaque white or beige polish. In traditional French manicures, the white strip is painted straight across the nail. However, if the polish follows the natural arching curve of your nail, nails will appear longer.
Nail Art Design
This type of manicure has a continually growing presence and is especially popular among teenagers. Glitter and jewels are common with this type of manicure. There are even nail art kits available for purchase in many stores, making it especially easy for kids to use.
The Pedicure
In essence, a pedicure follows a procedure similar to the manicure, except it is performed on the feet. The main difference is that the tools are bigger to adapt to the rougher texture of the toenails. Pedicures are appealing for much the same reason as a manicure; it is relaxing, beautifying and pampering. A pedicure can sometimes feel more luxurious than a manicure simply because the feet do not usually get as much attention as the hands. Pedicures are a popular choice in spas, generally hitting right before sandal season kicks in. When going to your pedicure appointment, make sure you wear comfortable clothing. You should avoid long pants and wear either open-toed shoes or shoes that are not too tight.
What is involved in a Pedicure?
First, the pedicurist will take off any leftover nail polish. Then, the toenails are filed straight across, with a slight rounding at the corners to conform to the shape of the toe. Feet are placed into a foot bath, which is often equipped with a massaging or vibrating feature. Feet will soak for a full five minutes. After five minutes, one foot is taken out and the pedicurist will push the cuticles back with the orangewood stick or a metal cuticle pusher. If loose skin is revealed, then it is snipped with a cuticle clipper. When this process is finished, the foot is returned to the foot bath and this process is repeated on the other foot.
Next, a pumice stone is used to slough off the dead skin cells on the base of the foot. It is important not to try to remove all the calloused skin in one session, especially if there is a lot. Once this is done, the feet are massaged with lotion or oil. The feet are then placed back into the foot bath to scrub and remove all the lotion or oil. Excess from each toenail is removed with a piece of cotton or gauze. Finally, the toenails are ready to be painted. A base coat will be applied, followed by two coats of your preferred color, and, lastly, one thin topcoat. Toe separators are used to make sure the polish does not smudge. Sometimes a fan is used to accelerate the drying process. It is a good idea to wait about 15 minutes before putting on your shoes. If you feel your toenails still might not be dry, feel free to ask your pedicurist to check it for you.
A manicure is a relaxing, beautifying treatment for your hands and nails. Manicures can be an occasional treat for some while a weekly ritual for others. Popular manicures include painted or artificially jeweled designs as well as French manicures with the signature white-tipped nails. Whether you go for a glamorous or traditional look, the flawless and striking appearance of a manicure never fails to allure.
What is involved in a Manicure?
While manicures can have many different appearances, they all follow a fairly uniform procedure. The first step is washing and drying the hands and cleaning the nails. The manicurist will remove any leftover nail polish at this stage, too. Following this, the manicurist will shape the nails with a file. The most common shape is an oval; however, you can request a square shape. The hands are then soaked in water to soften the cuticle. The cuticles are pushed back with an orangewood stick. Then, a cuticle clipper is used to trim any rough edges. Cuticle remover is sometimes applied to help eliminate this extra cuticle. Next, cream is applied to the nails and left on for about two to three minutes. The manicurist will remove the excess cream with a tissue. The nails will then be ready to paint. First, the base coat is applied, followed by two regular coats of polish. Finally, a topcoat is added. Nails dry in about 20 minutes; however, it will take an hour before you are totally safe to use your hands. You should try using the base of your fingers until then.
The French Manicure
This manicure is meant to exaggerate the contrast between the tip of the nails and the main part of the nails. The process is the same as a regular manicure except the polish is neutral, matching the nail bed. The naturally white tip of the tail is then painted with an opaque white or beige polish. In traditional French manicures, the white strip is painted straight across the nail. However, if the polish follows the natural arching curve of your nail, nails will appear longer.
Nail Art Design
This type of manicure has a continually growing presence and is especially popular among teenagers. Glitter and jewels are common with this type of manicure. There are even nail art kits available for purchase in many stores, making it especially easy for kids to use.
The Pedicure
In essence, a pedicure follows a procedure similar to the manicure, except it is performed on the feet. The main difference is that the tools are bigger to adapt to the rougher texture of the toenails. Pedicures are appealing for much the same reason as a manicure; it is relaxing, beautifying and pampering. A pedicure can sometimes feel more luxurious than a manicure simply because the feet do not usually get as much attention as the hands. Pedicures are a popular choice in spas, generally hitting right before sandal season kicks in. When going to your pedicure appointment, make sure you wear comfortable clothing. You should avoid long pants and wear either open-toed shoes or shoes that are not too tight.
What is involved in a Pedicure?
First, the pedicurist will take off any leftover nail polish. Then, the toenails are filed straight across, with a slight rounding at the corners to conform to the shape of the toe. Feet are placed into a foot bath, which is often equipped with a massaging or vibrating feature. Feet will soak for a full five minutes. After five minutes, one foot is taken out and the pedicurist will push the cuticles back with the orangewood stick or a metal cuticle pusher. If loose skin is revealed, then it is snipped with a cuticle clipper. When this process is finished, the foot is returned to the foot bath and this process is repeated on the other foot.
Next, a pumice stone is used to slough off the dead skin cells on the base of the foot. It is important not to try to remove all the calloused skin in one session, especially if there is a lot. Once this is done, the feet are massaged with lotion or oil. The feet are then placed back into the foot bath to scrub and remove all the lotion or oil. Excess from each toenail is removed with a piece of cotton or gauze. Finally, the toenails are ready to be painted. A base coat will be applied, followed by two coats of your preferred color, and, lastly, one thin topcoat. Toe separators are used to make sure the polish does not smudge. Sometimes a fan is used to accelerate the drying process. It is a good idea to wait about 15 minutes before putting on your shoes. If you feel your toenails still might not be dry, feel free to ask your pedicurist to check it for you.
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