Manicure
Tips
Manicure tips
for shaping nails, softening cuticles, and polishing;
a must for good grooming and beauty.
Getting a manicure, was once considered only a luxury
for the rich. More and more women (and men) now
have regular manicures.
Manicure is derived from the Latin word manus which
means hand and cura which means care. Manicuring
improves the appearance of the hands and nails.
Giving a manicure isn’t
hard once you know the basic steps.
- Remove the old polish.
Moisten a cotton ball with nail polish remover.
The type of polish remover depends on your personal
preference. Press the cotton ball over the nail
for a few seconds to soften the old polish. Wipe
gently with the cotton ball on the nail starting
at the base of the nail to the tip. This keeps
old polish from smearing into the cuticle.
- Shaping the nail is the
next step. The fingernails should be filed into
oval tips. Begin on the left hand with the little
finger and work towards the thumb. Hold the finger
between your thumb and the first two fingers of
the left hand. Hold the fingernail file in the
right hand. Slant the fingernail file so that
the filing is done mostly to the under side of
the nail. File each fingernail from the corner
to the center, going from right to left and then
from left to right. On each side of the fingernail,
stroke in one direction only. Repeat the process
on the right hand.
- Softening the cuticles
is accomplished by soaking the fingers in a small
finger bowl filled with soapy water. A few drops
of mild dish soap added to water in the finger
bowl works well. Carefully dry the hand by holding
a small towel and place, the hand on the towel.
Dry the hand while simultaneously pushing back
the cuticle and skin on each fingernail. Be very
gentle.
- Apply cuticle remover
by following the directions on the cuticle remover
tube or bottle. Gently loosen the cuticle with
an orangewood stick or cuticle pusher. Keep the
cuticle moist while working. Wash gently and dry.
- Clean under the free edge
of the fingernail by dipping a cotton-tipped orangewood
stick in soapy water and cleaning under the nail
from the center outward to each side.
Sometimes it is necessary to remove dead cuticle
or hangnails with small scissors or cuticle nippers.
Be very careful when you do this.
- Apply cuticle oil or cream
at the base of the nail. Brush nails gently in
a soapy water with a downward motion. Dry hands
and nails thoroughly. Next use a very fine emery
board. Buff nails giving them a smooth beveled
edge. Wipe nails to remove any particles of cuticle
or dead skin.
- Apply base coat using
long strokes. When the base coat is dry to a light
touch apply polish. Apply polish lightly with
strokes from the base to the tip. Excess polish
on cuticle or nail can be easily removed with
cotton tipped orangewood stick moistened with
polish remover. Apply a top or seal coat. Brushing
the top or seal coat around and under the tips
of the nail will give the nail added protection.
- The final step is to apply
lotion. This can be done if time permits. Nails
need to be completely dry. Start at the wrists
moving down to the fingertips with light rubbing
motion.
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