Nails Health And Beauty » Manicure

French Manicure – Tips, Description, and History

Fri, 14 Jan 2011 10:30:46 +0000

David Urmann asked:

French Manicure Description
Fashion gurus possess conflicting points of view on the stylish French manicure. Some experts deem that it is old fashioned while still others favor the outlook that it is elegant and timeless and will never be outmoded. Nonetheless, whatever the experts believe, still a lot of women opt for the French manicure due to its natural appearance and sophistication. It also provides the nails well-groomed and neat look that is not ostentatious and finicky.

French Manicure is a manicure style that’s graceful. It showcases white nail tips highlighted by a base having natural look. It is a fashion technique of polishing the finger or toe nails in which off white or ivory nail polish is put on to the tips of the nails while sheer polish, soft beige or pastel pink coat is applied to the rest of the nails. This style is ideal for moderate or short-length nails. French manicure was made well known by famous stars and fashion authorities in the last century and yet it’s still a remarkable part of vogue trends this present day.

French Manicure History
Let’s learn the staging on the progress of the French manicure approaches, together with a few of the variants existing in our day. The introduction of the first French manicure is quite uncertain. However undoubtedly, the French manicure technique became prevalent in several French nail salons. In the early periods of the 20th century, the chic style drew the interests of US fashion designers. This led to the massive application of the French manicure amongst the famous female celebrities of the 1920s. Then, ladies in the United States imitated the procedure. The craze went on until 1930s as countless ladies have the French manicure as part of their beauty treatments at salons. However with the Depression that controlled a large part of the US, practical women started to study the procedures to craft the manicure’s appearance at home.

French Manicure Procedures
Before you start giving your nails a French manicure, make sure you have followed the general rule for putting on nail polish.
o Prepare your nails by immersing them in lukewarm water in order to make softer the cuticles.
o Get rid of old nail polish using acetone remover. Lightly push cuticles back with an orangewood stick and cuticle remover. Clean and trim your nails.
o Spread over hand cream to your nails and wipe them in. Let it there for three to four minutes. Wipe down nails using a tissue to eliminate surplus.
o Apply an even and thin clear base coat. Place a tip guide unto your nails. This will wrap your nail’s lower portion. Then follow the curvature of your nail tip’s white color.
o Put on white or neutral polish to the uncovered tips of the nails and dry. The portion that will be painted white must be kept thin. Going too broadly on the white paints will make your fingernails appear stocky.
o When the tip’s white polish is already dry, carefully take away the nail tip guides.
o Paint the whole length of the nails twice using a beige polish.
o Lastly, set a layer of top coat. The top coat’s main job is to shield the layers underneath it.
o Clean few slip-ups (if any) with the use of an orangewood stick enveloped in cotton dampened with acetone or remover.
o Let your fingernails dry totally. It normally takes 25 minutes before your finger nails can perform small things. Although it takes an hour before you can actually use your hands for bigger tasks.

In order to have an enduring French manicure as well as maintain neat looking nails, make sure to put an added coating of top coat on the nails each night. Moreover, beauty stores and pharmacies make available nail polish kits particularly built for the French manicure. These assembled kits will be highly handy for you. And, you can visit a nail spa or salon to get your nails polished if you are anxious of manicuring yourself. In general, French manicure costs higher over a regular polish due to the level of precision required to come up with a nice set of French manicure.

Similar Posts:

None Found

French Manicure – Elegant Style For the Nails

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 03:28:33 +0000

Luke Lawreszuk asked:

The French manicure has remained popular for several decades, and there’s a good reason. This style of fingernail and toenail polishing is simple yet very elegant. It’s also natural looking which is what many women prefer as opposed to painting nails bright and unnatural colors. Since the base colors of a French manicure are very pale or colorless, the style is suitable for every kind of occasion whether it’s work or play. You can wear a French manicure at your work desk wearing a business suit or at a restaurant in your evening dress.

The French manicure is basically a polishing style that takes several steps to complete. The nail is painted a light pink or natural color and the tip is painted white. There’s an obvious demarcation between the nail tip and the rest of the nail. A guide is normally used in order to create a uniform white tip on each nail. The polish and white tip are then covered with a clear sealer. It’s an ideal polishing style for shorter nails.

You can do your own French manicure, or you can have a salon polish your nails. If you do your own, the easiest approach is to purchase a French manicure kit which contains the pale pink and white polishes, the nail tip guides and the top sealer.

Of course, we live in a world of innovation today and some women now decorate their French manicure with nail art. Nail art is a decoration added to one or more nails. Nail art should be chosen carefully in order to not dilute the sophisticated and elegant styling of a French manicure.

A French manicure is a beautiful style of nail polishing that has endured in the fashion world since the 1970s. Its versatile look makes it practical for every kind of dress which is one reason why it has been an enduring nail polishing style.

Similar Posts:

None Found

The No Chip Manicure

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 01:59:31 +0000

Vernadine Kornegay asked:

Salons are not keeping up with the changing times of advance products in the nail tech industry. The new advance and changing times of chipping nail polishes and smudge pedicures is a sign of the past. Customers are tired of their nail polish and their French manicures chipping within a couple of days. Salons and spas are hearing of the new, no chip nail products and customers are responding by searching for salon/spas that offer such services. There are many no chip manicure products available from Sally Hansen and some no chip products can be found at your professional beauty supply store.

I would like to talk about the no chip manicure systems that you actually paint on with an actual paint brush turning the nail technician into her very own artist with steady hands and patience. The colored paint comes in 4gram or 10gram pots with beautiful colors from your reds to browns to soft pinks. The no chip color can stand up to competition by offering over 100 vibrant colors and stands up against your shelf nail polish with its continuous shine for up to 2-3 weeks. Ranging from every color including your warms, and cool colors the “No Chip Manicure,” also has colors such as Bahama Breezes which happens to be nice spring colors. This is the season for many events and planning and the The “No Chip Manicure,” can be marketed towards your vacationers, wedding parties, professionals women who like to wear dark colors, and hard working moms; it comes with a basic manicure and takes approximately 45-minutes to one hour to apply so plan ahead.

Customers will continue to get their traditional shelf nail color but having an alternative and option for longer lasting nail color should be available to clients. Nail Techs can help increase their income by training to become a “No Chip Manicure Specialist.’ Training is very important because of specific steps such as sanitizing the hands and nail bed before each and every application, to learning how to remove the no chip manicure. Customers are also taught how to remove the no chip manicure from home which is safe and easy. Once removed (about ten minutes) your clients will see that their nails are stronger and longer. Many argue that it is better than gel because it allows the nail to bend unlike your traditional gel which hardens.

Customers know that some traditional polishes contain harsh chemicals and many nail polish companies are removing the harsh chemicals from their nail polishes. Removing some of these chemicals which are used to preserve the longevity of the nail polish causes the nail polish to chip in the long run. The “No Chip Manicures,” have patented a way not to use such harsh chemicals and has been FDA approved for a safe alternative for natural nail care. The products are odorless, requires little or no buffing, and is self forming unlike your traditional gel and acrylic products.

Interested and curious clients are traveling miles to visit a specialty nail shop. Currently there are only a few salons in Chicago that offer the service mostly in downtown Chicago. The No Chip Manicure is slowly spreading throughout the city of Chicago like in the Edgewater community, Lincoln Park, Lincoln Square and Ravenswood. Customers are Googling to find the most convenient locations that offer the no chip manicure. It took me about six months to master the skill of applying the no chip manicure; doing many clients for free at first. Customers must make sure that their manicurist is trained and certified in applying the product. Incorrect application can cause fungus and lifting of the product. Prices can range from $35-$60 bucks depending on the location.

Not having many salons offering this unique service within certain geographic areas allows for territorial advantage allowing nail salons to build an enormous client?le base. The Non Chip Manicure can last 2-3 weeks without chipping and is getting rave revues from clients and celebrities who receive the unique service. Once clients learn and experience the product many switch to the “No Chip Manicure,” giving up their acrylic application all together. Nail Techs can offer this unique service to professional men who like for their nails to appear buffed for two weeks. The manicure can be great for your nail biters and can enhances nail growth. Nail Techs can increase their income by continuing to increase their educational level by keeping up with advances in the new signs of the times and the lucrative no chip manicure nail systems.

Similar Posts:

None Found

How To Apply A French Manicure

Mon, 10 Jan 2011 08:49:59 +0000

Hiren Bhai Patel asked:

The French manicure will make you feel and look great. It is the perfect complement to an already beautiful body. Whether you need one for a date or you want to look great for a night out, a manicure will accentuate your looks. To apply a French manicure, one must have clean hands and clean nails. This is the most important step before applying any polish. You must have the following supplies ready should you decide to do it yourself:

· Nail Base Coat
· Nail Polish Remover (if there is polish on the hands)
· Nail File
· Cotton Wool and Buds
· Top Coat Polish

The steps that follow are important if one is to the have the perfect French manicure.

Washing Your Hands Thoroughly
As stated above it is important to wash the hands to remove any dirt and grime that may linger in the nails. Use warm soapy water if at all possible. Scrub under the nails, too.

Nail Trimming
Trimming takes meticulous work because it can be trimmed incorrectly causing the nail to look worse. Gently file the nails to the shape and length that you desire.

Applying the Base Coat and the Nail Polish
Apply the coat with three to five strokes. This coat should be thin and even. Any mistakes must be fixed quickly. Once the base coat is put on, apply the nail polish to the exposed tips of the fingernail and let them dry. Be sure they are completely dry before proceeding any further.

Applying the Finish
Once the nails are completely dry, apply a layer of finishing polish on it to ensure a glossy coat. It’s okay to apply more than one coat in this instance. Applying a coat on still-wet polish will diminish any work that was done previously. A dry coat allows the second and third coats to stick better and prevent less cracking. Uneven looks are also common if the coat is not dry.

Frequency
Because there is no hard and fast rule about the frequency of application, one must be careful and take a look at the nails each day or every other day. Nail chipping or scratches are a common occurrence when it comes to nails so it’s important to inspect the nails consistently.

Make no mistake about it a French manicure is detailed work. There is always the possibility of unwanted results. Some stores sell a ready-made kit for French manicures, but if you are not comfortable doing it by yourself the salon option is available. Salons are filled with professionals that are trained to do the work and have therapies that suit your needs. Their steady hands and expertise ensure that the perfect coat is applied every time. Not everyone has the eye to do it. Go out in confidence and feel refreshed with the perfect French manicure.

Similar Posts:

None Found

How to Do a French Manicure

Sun, 09 Jan 2011 16:26:23 +0000

Yogitha Ramamoorthy asked:

A French manicure is a style of polishing the nails where white paint is applied to the tips of the nails and the rest of it is given a transparent color.

Things needed: Warm water, nail polish remover, cuticle cream, nail file, nail polish, cotton balls, moisturizing lotion, wood stick, cuticle cream, paper towels and nail trimmer.

o Firstly, remove all traces of your old nail polish with acetone remover. Next file your nails. Soak your hands in warm soapy water for a few minutes to soften the cuticles. Shape your nails evenly and neatly with a help of a nail trimmer. You can shape them into rounded squares by smoothing the edges.

o Apply a cuticle cream and with the help of a wood stick push the cuticles back. Next massage your hands and wipe them with neat paper towels.

o After drying your hands, apply a base coat and let it dry for a minute. Now, carefully paint the tip of each nails with white color. Depending on the thickness and opaqueness of the polish, a second coat may be necessary. Always allow the polish to dry between coats.

o Once the tips of the nails are dry, apply a translucent **** color polish on to the entire nails. Again, a second coat may be essential depending on the thickness of the polish and as always allow the nails to dry meticulously.

o Finally, apply a clear top coat to guard your manicure. To extend the lifespan of your new French manicure apply an extra layer of top coat every night. Assure you give enough time for the nails to dry completely. Allow at least thirty minutes for it to dry.

French manicure is good for nails with moderate or short length. Most cosmetic shops sell readily-assembled French manicure kits for home use. However, if you are not confident to do it yourself, visit a beauty salon and get it done once. Though it is a little expensive it is still worth the effort.

Similar Posts:

None Found

French Manicure Tips That Are Really Handy To Have And Use For Beautiful Nails

Tue, 04 Jan 2011 02:04:15 +0000

Margaret Doolan asked:

The French manicure is undeniably popular.

This could be the versatility offered by the French manicure.

As this enables you to have hands that look beautify groomed and nails that are polished to a gloss.

And not having to worry about choosing a colour, this also takes away the worry of choosing the wrong colour, and only finding out that you don’t like it when it has dried, and you don’t have the embarrassing task of asking the manicurist if you can have the colour changed, so I would say that this is the beauty of having a French Manicure.

One of the great things about the French manicure is that it shows fewer imperfections and fewer chips that the coloured manicure.

Also, the fact that I don’t have to worry at all about the colour of the polish and whether or not it will go with the outfit that I have chosen to wear.

Now, if I have sold to you the art of the great French manicures, I now must say that it’s not that easy to do yourself, but!!!! If I don’t have much time and need to hurry, like myself at times, I just give my hands and nails a bit of a soak, clean under the nails and dry thoroughly, and using a white (nail) make up pencil draw it under the nails from edge to edge, this will make the tips of my nails white, then I can apply a clear polish.

This is not as affective as a French manicure but believe me it can work as a quick fix job.
But when I have more time to spend on myself I bring out my little home kit that I have put together for this purpose, believe me, this is not the same as going to your own local salon and getting the proper pamper but nonetheless, it’s a treat.

Firstly my hands are soaked for about 5 minutes then I scrub them well with an exfoliating scrub.
Then I will trim and shape the nails.
Next my handiest little tool is a 3 way buffer,

(I love this tool, and you can even use it on your toe nails, and they can look brilliant too, you can buy this in most chemists, super stores and beauty shops)

When using this, there will be a bit of dust, but nothing to worry about, you use the rougher side first, then the smoother and lastly the smooth, this is the one that does the trick, you end up with the highest of shines and the smoothest nails that you could ever wish for.
Now you can apply polish if you prefer, you can buy strip tapes to use as a guide when applying the white polish, but I can never get it right and end up with smudge’s but you could use a thin brush, a make up brush maybe!!

Once you have applied the polish to the tips and they have dried, then this is the time to apply the beige or pink top coat, whatever your preference, and once again when dry you can apply a chip proof clear top coat.

Similar Posts:

None Found

Manicure – Top Tips for Healthy Nails

Mon, 03 Jan 2011 19:51:52 +0000

Kelly Price asked:

A manicure is a beauty treatment for your fingernails and hands. In its simplest form a manicure involves shaping and filing of the nails followed by the application of nail polish.

Other types of manicure may include specific treatments aimed at softening the hands and stimulating nail growth.

Getting to Know Your Nails

Your nails can tell a lot about your body’s internal health. Healthy nails suggest a healthy body, while ridged; dented, unusually colored or shaped nails can be a sign of ill health.

Nails protect the sensitive skin of the fingertips and toes from injury and are made up of layers of protein called keratin.

Each nail comprises:-

o Nail plate – the visible hard portion you see

o Nail folds – the surrounding skin that frames the plate on three sides

o Nail bed – the skin beneath the nail plate

o Cuticle – the tissue that overlaps the nail plate at the base

o Matrix – the hidden area under the cuticle where growth takes place

o Lunula – the half moon shape at the base of the nail plate

Types of Manicure

There are various types of manicure available.

During a regular manicure, nails are first shaped, cuticle remover or conditioner applied and then the fingertips and hands placed in warm soapy water and left to soften for about ten minutes.

The hands are removed and dried before the cuticles are gently pushed back with an orange stick.

Nails are buffed from cuticle to tip and then lotion applied to the entire hand. Some manicurists will spend some time massages the lotion into the hands.

All traces of oils will be removed before applying polish. Polish will include a base coat followed by two or three coats of your chosen color, and then finished of with a top coat.

If having a French manicure, the tips of nail are painted white and when dry the entire nail is painted with translucent shell pink polish.

A French manicure is elegant and is suitable for both day and evening.

Paraffin Wax Manicure

Paraffin wax is warmed and the hands dipped repeatedly in the warmed liquid until a thick coating is formed. The hands are then wrapped in plastic film and covered with a towel to retain the warmth.

Hands remain wrapped for approximately 15 minutes. After the towel, plastic and paraffin wax is removed, the manicure continues in the normal way.

A paraffin wax manicure conditions and moisturizes the skin and is beneficial if your hands are sore, stressed or tired or of you just feel like being pampered.

Hot Oil Manicure

Hot oil is used to soften the cuticles before being cleaned and neatened. This treatment is popular with men seeking a manicure and is recommended if you have extremely dry hands or nails.

Attending a Manicure

When going for a manicure ensure that the working area is clean and that all tools are properly sanitized. New tools such as orange sticks, emery boards and clean towels should be used.

The use of un-sterilized tools can transmit viral infections.

Regular Manicure – Keeping Your Nails Healthy

Nails grow at the rate of about 0.05 to 1.2 millimeters per week and a regular manicure can keep your
nails in tip top condition.

Along with a regular manicure, a high protein diet can help your nails grow stronger and healthier.
Between visits to your manicurist you can ensure the health of your nails by:

o Keeping nails clean and dry – this helps to keep bacteria and other infectious organisms from collecting under the nail.

o Keeping the use of nail polish remover to a minimum as it can dry out your nails and cuticles.

A manicure is healthy and will make you look your best and remember most guys love great nails to

Similar Posts:

None Found

Manicure Kit – Your Personal, Ultimate Pedicure & Manicure Kit

Sat, 01 Jan 2011 16:04:29 +0000

Kitkat McNeal asked:

Caring for the nails on your hands and feet should never be of any less importance than caring for your skin, after all, nails are just skin hardened to protect the soft nail tissues under your nail beds. Nail care has been around for thousands of years beginning with pedicures and manicures done to Egyptian royalties by servants to make their hands and feet look pleasing.

Today, giving manicures and pedicures have become much easier as a manicure kit is sold with practically everything you need to beautify your nails. They range between $2 to hundreds of dollars depending on the number of cleaning tools included and the materials they are made with. Some manicure kit even includes hand or foot spa essentials, not to mention nail colors and artificial nails.

Nothing beats choosing what’s inside of your own manicure kit. You get to pick the brands and the knick-knacks – all the right supplies; all within your budget.

Can’t Do Without
- Nail Clippers
- Nail file or emery board (or both)
- Cuticle clipper
- Cuticle pusher
- Wooden Cuticle Sticks
- Cotton Balls
- Nail Brush

Others
- Cuticle remover
- Nail Polish Remover
- Antiseptic ointment
- Cuticle Oil
- Hand Scrub
- Foot Scrub
- Hand Sanitizer
- Hand & Feet Lotion
- Pumice
- Basin (that your feet could fit into)
- Assorted Nail Colors
- Base Coat
- Top Coat

We don’t want to get overboard by stuffing your manicure kits. You can buy the regular ones and just add other materials that would be helpful in maintaining your nails. The idea here is to gather these supplies so you won’t have to worry about professionals doing what you can always do yourself at the comfort of your own home or when you are away to travel. Plus you can always save money by doing it yourself with your own manicure kit.

Manicures alone can range between $5-500.00, while the materials listed above could set you back $150.00 at the most depending on the brands you choose! Considering that you’ll be using these for a very long time and the tools aren’t going to touch any other skin, it’s almost a steal.

Similar Posts:

None Found

French Manicure – An American Tradition!

Fri, 31 Dec 2010 12:47:41 +0000

Alice Spray asked:

Perfect nails thanks to a French manicure, are the envy of many.

Why do we call it French? Did it start in France?

The French manicure is in fact an American creation. It appeared in France only about 10 years ago, but has been a technique of nail decoration for more than 30 years in America. So why French? Simply to make allusion to the elegance ‘A ?la francaise’ of this technique to polish nails.

Elegance is really what French manicure brings to mind. It values nails that are the focus of attention while they remain discreet and natural.

it consists to apply a white opaque line of varnish to the edge of the nail (it is also called the smile of the nail) in order to make it look longer by an optical illusion while the nail itself stays natural.

This type of nail care is suitable for every women regardless of her style, regardless of age. She can be classic and elegant, or sportive and sassy, she will distinguish herself equally.

How to do a successful French manicure in 5 steps:

1 – File your nails carefully. After removing all nail polish from your nails, file your nails with an emery or crystal file (do not use a metallic file, it is much too harsh and aggressive.) The file is always used in the same direction, from the edge of the nail to the center, do not use a back and forth motion.

2 – Soften your cuticles. To soften the thin skin around your nails (called cuticles,) soak your fingers a few minutes in warm soapy water, then push the cuticles back lightly with a wooden stick. There are also creams of gels that can be used to soften the cuticles quickly. By pushing back the cuticles you give more definition and depth to your nails.

3 – Apply the white opaque polish to the edge of the nail. Sit comfortably and place your hand on a table to avoid any shaking. Apply the white opaque polish to the edge of the nail (that’s the “French” touch) following the natural curve of the nail. If you go out of the line, you can correct if with a Qtip dipped in remover, or by using a correcting pen designed for that purpose. Let your nails dry. If this is the first time that you are doing it, we highly recommend the purchase of a manicure kit, that contains stickers that you can apply to the nails to mask the area where no polish should be applied. These stickers will help you make a clean white line easily.

4 – Apply the natural polish. Once the white polish has dried thoroughly, you can apply a coat of natural, clear or very lightly colored pink or beige, on the entire nail, covering also the white part done previously. You can apply a second coat for a more intense look, but ensure that the first coat is very dry before proceeding.

5 – Last step top coat. To insure that your French manicure will last as long as possible it is important to apply a top coat. This will not only fix the polish underneath, but also will make your nails more resistant and shiny.?

Similar Posts:

None Found

French Manicures Made Easy

Mon, 27 Dec 2010 21:17:40 +0000

Kitkat McNeal asked:

Before French manicures and French nails, women have been wearing nail colors for the last 5000 years ever since the Chinese introduced this practice to adorn their hands with black and red paints on the nails. Since then, different materials and chemicals have been used to create the right texture and colors of nail polish as we know today.

Despite the vast choices in the market, women find it a challenge to match their nail colors with their outfits on a daily basis, until a popular style called the French Manicure or French nails was introduced in the United States in 1920’s.

French Nails 101

The style is simple. The nail tip is painted with white or any color that is close to the color that you will put on the rest of your French nails. Ideally the color combination should be white or ivory tips and sheer, beige or **** finish. This look is very versatile as it easily matches any type of clothing on any occasion, but remembers to keep your nails at medium length at the most or that is no longer than half of your nail length from the cuticle to the tip of the nail bed.

10 TIPS to Pro-Looking Tips

1. Immerse your fingers in lukewarm water to soften the cuticles.
2. Clean the fingernails as you normally would and file them down to the length desired.
3. Apply oil or hand lotion and wrap in warm towel to absorb moisture.
4. After the warmth has cooled, wipe out excess oil and moisture.
5. Proceed to apply base coat on finger nails.
6. If you don’t have steady hands, you may use sticky strips as a guide. Paint the tips of your nails with white, off-white, platinum or ivory.
7. Take out the sticky strip before the polish completely dries otherwise you’ll pull the tips you applied completely.
8. When done, apply nude, pink, beige or sheer nail polish on the fingernails covering the tips entirely.
9. Apply top coat.
10. After drying, apply oil or hand lotion to reinforce moisture.

Don’t worry if you find applying the tips challenging the first time. You’ll certainly get the hang of it. You may also want to try French Nails kits that are available in your local supermarkets. Perfect! So now you have great looking French Manicures that’s chic, simple and fashionable.

Similar Posts:

None Found