A neat manicure is a decoration for women's hands. Unfortunately, due to the frantic pace of life, many girls cannot find time to visit a salon. What to do in this case? It's very simple! You need to learn how to do simple procedures yourself, at home.

To do this, it is absolutely not necessary to attend expensive courses, because thanks to video lessons posted on the Internet, you can learn not only how to properly design your nails, but also how to make beautiful designs using various tools.

Working with the cuticle

• For a gradient manicure, you can use sponges and sponges.
• If you plan to use rhinestones in your design, then you cannot do without a special stick with a cut at the end or a pencil with a soft lead.
• For more complex designs, brushes are intended: thin, fan-shaped, for mixing shades, etc.
• Dots are used to mix colors, even polka dots, swirls and interesting patterns.
• Geometric designs are made using thin tape.

STEP-BY-STEP GRADIENT MANICURE

INSTALLING RHINESTERES ON GEL POLISH STEP BY STEP

STEP-BY-STEP BRUSH DRAWING

DRAWING WITH DOTS

GEOMETRIC DRAWING

Basic rules for those who are just starting to master the intricacies of manicure:

A beautiful manicure cannot be imagined without careful preparation of the nail plate and the skin around it. The most common mistake is to start filing your nails after taking a bath. The nail plate should be completely dry, so be sure to wait 10-15 minutes until your hands are properly dry.

Beginners should choose a file with an abrasiveness of 240 grit in the shape of a knife (we wrote more about how to choose the appropriate option). Thanks to the beveled edge, this file will not cut the skin, as is often the case with standard rounded files. You can not only file your nails with it, but also treat the side ridges.

Another big mistake is to file your nails in a left-to-right pattern. It is worth treating the free edge of the nail with gentle movements - first in one direction, then in the other direction towards the center. Avoid sudden, chaotic movements to avoid damaging the structure of your nails and causing them to split.

If you have very rough and dry cuticles, go over it with a regular nail file: this will help the cuticle you will apply in the next step be more effective.

Apply the remover to the cuticle. Most of them start working in less than a minute. Therefore, it is better to apply the product only to one or two fingers, so as not to “overexpose” the composition on the remaining nails.

Also distribute the remover over the entire nail plate to solve the problem of yellowed nails, and along the side rollers to remove rough skin.

After the time specified in the instructions, start treating your nails with a special pusher or an orange stick. In this case, do not press on the nail plate under any circumstances! This can damage the matrix - that part of the nail near the cuticle where it is formed.

After treating the nails, the remover must be washed off and the nails wiped with a dry cloth. At the same time, you will degrease your nails before applying the polish. For even greater effectiveness, use a special degreaser.

Avoid using cotton pads as they may leave small lint on your nails and prevent the polish from spreading evenly.

Apply a base coat: it will protect the nail plate from the penetration of polish pigments and also strengthen them. Apply the base in a very thin layer with a slight indentation from the cuticle. And don't forget to seal the end of the nail with varnish.

Start painting your nails with your little finger: if you start with your index finger, you may accidentally damage the fresh polish on the rest of your nails with your own hand.

Once the base has dried thoroughly, apply colored varnish. An ideal option for beginners are transparent varnishes. Such varnishes give your nails a well-groomed and neat look, and mistakes when applying them are not so noticeable.

The first coat of varnish is applied in five movements. The most common mistake newbies make is brushing their nails over and over again. The second layer needs to be applied a little differently: stretching a drop of varnish from the cuticle to the edges of the nail.

To make the polish last as long as possible, apply a top coat. Renew it every two days to extend the durability of your manicure.

Leave your manicure tips in the comments!

Which method of attracting customers has the highest return? Recommendations from friends and acquaintances! Word of mouth is not a spontaneous uncontrolled process, but a powerful marketing tool. Are you not using it in your work yet?
Very in vain! In addition to being highly effective, it is completely free, which means you can attract more clients without investing a penny!
Want to know how?
Read my article in the new issue of Hands&Nails Nail Service 5/2013!
Page 108 ;)

• December 10th, 2012 , 12:49 pm

Health of the nail technician
How to protect yourself from dust

The presence of dust in the air adversely affects breathing. Think about the dust on your furniture at home.

Dust comes mainly from sawdust. In order to minimize the amount of dust, shape your nails using less material so that there is no need to file away excess material when modeling your nails.

Dust in a beauty salon not only creates an untidy appearance, but is also dangerous to health!

• Dust causes irritation to eyes, nose and skin
• Change the tablecloths on the table as often as possible so that your hands do not touch the dust
• Small particles can remain in the air for 30 minutes or more
• Fewer dust particles are generated when working with cutters
• Wear a protective mask to avoid respiratory irritation
• Wear safety glasses when working to avoid eye irritation, do not wear contact lenses
• The cabin must have an appropriate ventilation system

Chemicals can enter your body in three ways. Blocking these pathways will minimize the risk of chemical exposure.

Routes of penetration:

1. Inhalation due to inhalation of dust
2. Absorption through the skin
3. With eating

Use all protective equipment - gloves, mask, apron, change of clothes. Use special dust hoods or built-in hoods. Do not consume food or drinks in the workplace, and you will protect yourself and your clients as much as possible!

• December 3rd, 2012 , 12:08 pm

Dictionary of a nail technician

Matrix

Matrix lies directly below the eponychium and is a small area of ​​living tissue. This is the most important part of the entire nail. It is the root of the nail; This is where cells are formed - onychoblasts, which make up the nail plate. These cells are made of a special type of protein called keratin.

The matrix produces healthy cells as long as it receives nutrients through the blood vessels and as long as it is not damaged. If the matrix is ​​damaged, the process of cell formation will be disrupted. It is very important to protect the nail matrix, paying special attention to it during manicure, as well as during preparation of the nail for extensions. If the fold of skin protecting the matrix is ​​damaged and removed, infection or deformation of the nail may occur.

The size and shape of the matrix determines the thickness, width and curvature of the nail plate. The matrix begins under the skin, under the eponychium, and ends in the place where we see the socket. With a long matrix, the natural nail is thick. If it's short, it's thin. Is there something we could drink or eat that would make our nails thicker? Answer: no. This is inherent at the genetic level and the length of the matrix cannot change, just as the length of the fingers cannot change.

• November 28th, 2012 , 03:43 pm

One of the most Frequently Asked Questions from novice craftsmen is “which is better single-phase or three-phase gel”? And how are they different?

It's time to sort this issue out once and for all!

Gels for nail extensions can be classified according to phases; today there are single-phase gels, two-phase gel systems and three-phase ones.

What is the difference between a single-phase gel and a three-phase one?

Three-phase nail extension gels can be used for any type of gel nail extension and include three main stages.

In a three-phase gel system:
Step 1. Base thin layer for adhesion. (1st phase)
Step 2. Modeling. (2nd phase)
Step 3. Top coat with finishing gel. (3rd phase)

We remind you that for nail extensions using gel technology you need a UV lamp to polymerize the gel!

• October 23rd, 2012 , 06:16 pm

A perfect manicure is every girl's dream. The condition of hands and nails is an indicator of well-grooming. All fashionistas want to learn how to do a manicure on their own. This knowledge will save you not only money and time, but will also allow you to create a beautiful manicure at home, adding your own unique attributes to the design and realizing your own ideas.

A home manicure, if you follow a step-by-step technique, is in no way inferior to a salon procedure. The information from articles and video tutorials is quite enough to master the rules of manicure and practice the nail art you have planned.

Manicure basics include information about possible shapes of nail plates, methods of removing cuticles, and nail care features. Knowing the secrets of manicure, you can bring to life the most daring and original solutions. It doesn’t matter whether you do a manicure every day or just for a special occasion, manicure secrets and tricks from professionals will help you achieve a spectacular result. All about how to properly do a manicure at home.

Do you know step by step how to make beautiful nails at home? A proper manicure includes a number of mandatory steps. Home manicure or salon manicure does not play a special role. The only difference between them is the greater experience of the master and the availability of professional equipment.

To create a beautiful manicure at home, you will need tools such as:

• manicure scissors;
• file;
• tweezers;
• a wooden stick or metal spatula to push back the cuticle.

Naturally, you can’t do without a decorative coating, or better yet, more than one. The richest assortment of varnishes can turn anyone’s head. Everyone wants to know how to do nails without using nail polish remover, because even the most experienced and careful girl can make a mistake and need correction. You also need a basecoat and a topcoat.

The technique of the procedure is presented in three options for removing the cuticle:

• Edged (tweezers).
• European (gel product).
• Hardware (using attachments).

Gel is the most popular way to make beautiful nails at home without cutting the cuticle. With its help, you can quickly and effectively soften the skin and, after the allotted time, simply remove it with the remnants of the product. You will get a neat, easy manicure without the risk of infection or damaging the painful area.

If you prefer the hardware method, you need not only to buy the device, but also to master it. But then you can very quickly process the nail plates, ridges, remove cuticles, etc. without burrs and injuries.

So, how to do a manicure, step-by-step technique:

• First of all, you need to remove the remnants of the previous nail art: wipe off the polish, remove stickers, etc.
• Next, make a hand bath to steam your skin. The water should be warm, close to hot, but at a comfortable temperature. Add a few tablespoons of vegetable and essential oils, this will help soften the cuticle.
• The next step is to remove the cuticle using any method you choose.
• Afterwards, you need to move on to the shape of the nails.

What to consider when choosing a nail shape?

The answer to the question of how to make a beautiful manicure at home is impossible without a story about choosing the shape of your nails. The shape of the nail plates is one of the mandatory steps in the process of creating the right manicure. It depends not only on the individual characteristics of a person; personal preferences and fashion trends play a significant role. Depending on the season, one form or another becomes trendy. Do you know what forms there are?

The following types are distinguished:

• Pointed.
• Almond-shaped.
• Oval.
• Rounded.
• Square.

The basics of manicure say that the choice of shape is influenced by how you feel. It is the pointed shape that is preferred by self-confident women who are quite powerful and characterful. The correct manicure for such people is a geometric design that emphasizes the shape of the nail plates.

The almond shape is typical for flirty young ladies. She has been popular over the past years. The secret of an almond-shaped manicure is that absolutely any design looks advantageous on such plates, creating a real testing ground for imagination and creativity: from the simple to the most interesting.

The oval shape is typical for conservative girls. How to get the perfect manicure is not a problem for them. They stand firmly on their feet and rarely make changes. Harmony and naturalness are their main principles, including in the matter of nail art.

They will repeat their favorite design over and over again until something new catches their eye.

The rounded shape of nails is considered the most versatile and traditional. Girls who give preference to her are considered to be romantic in nature. This shape adds charm and femininity. How to make your nails rounded? You just need to use a nail file to round the corners at the ends, and leave the top straight and even. The rounded shape is something between the oval and square variations.

Doing a manicure at home with this form is as easy as shelling pears, because even a simple clear coat will look great on them. You can choose a solid color design or a gradient, a complex pattern or a cool pattern. The rounded shape is also good for new fashion trends, so you can create even the most original manicure at home with it.

As for the square shape, it is considered the most popular recently. It goes well with nails of different lengths and widths. This form is especially close to lovers of French manicure. This design is very simple, so a beautiful DIY manicure is quite doable, even if you have little skill. French is an excellent manicure for beginners, allowing you to get stylish nails with a minimum of skills.

Keep in mind that when shaping your nails, you need to use the file in one direction, this will protect them from peeling. Agree, why then painfully treat nails if you can prevent this unpleasant phenomenon. Moving the file in both directions is one of the most common mistakes that girls encounter when carrying out the procedure on their own.

Correct coverage

After giving the shape, it’s time to cover. There are a lot of subtleties in this process. You need to go over it again with nail polish remover to degrease the surface immediately before applying a new coat. The next step is the base layer. As a rule, such varnish not only prevents yellowing of the nail plates, but also evens them out, preparing them for further actions.

Now spread the selected decorative varnish over the nail. You can learn how to do a manicure so that the polish lays perfectly evenly by mastering the technique of applying a decorative coating:

• Place the brush at the base of the nail in the center and move it towards the edge.
• Returning to the starting point, move the brush to the side in arc movements, covering the space of the nail on the left side.
• Repeat the manipulation on the right side of the nail plate.

This must be done quickly, before the varnish has time to set, then you will get an even layer, without roughness. Don't forget that you will need to apply a sealer on top. It will help maintain the presentable appearance of the created nail art for a longer period, and also provide it with an attractive shine.

Now you know everything about how to get a beautiful manicure without leaving home. Your nails will always be well-groomed and graceful if you follow the suggested recommendations.

This is a short guide for those who, for one reason or another, decided to do their own manicure. It's not that difficult if you approach it wisely. Read and get started...

To keep your hands and nails always looking well-groomed, you need to get a manicure about once a week. This procedure can be performed by a master in a beauty salon - quickly and accurately.

But some people don’t have the opportunity to do a manicure in a salon, while others have the time and desire. We recommend learning how to do a manicure at home yourself. With a little practice, your nails will look like you regularly visit a beauty salon!

Types of manicure

There are many types of manicure and first of all, it is worth determining which one suits you best.

Edged or classic

The classic manicure procedure includes removing the cuticle using metal tweezers or sharp nail scissors. A trimmed manicure is suitable for those with rough and thick cuticles. This type is the most traumatic. If you are careless, you may get hurt or cut off too much skin. Because of this, inflammation may occur, and the cuticle will become even coarser and begin to grow more intensively.

Unedged (European)

This type of manicure involves removing the cuticle using a special product based on soft acids (lactic and fruit). Unedged manicure is suitable for women with thin and delicate skin on their hands. The product dissolves the cuticle painlessly and delicately.

The whole process takes much less time than with a classic manicure. However, this method of removing cuticles is not suitable for those with sensitive skin, as allergies may occur to the components of the product.

12 tools you need for a manicure

This arsenal is simply necessary to perform a quality manicure.

1. Sharp nail scissors

If you are planning to radically change the length of your nails, then nail scissors will come in handy.

2. Nail file

Do not use metal files, they injure your nails, which then begin to peel. It is better to purchase a glass file or a cardboard file with a fine-grained abrasive coating. The former, by the way, will serve you much longer than the latter.

3. Metal tweezers if you are doing a trim manicure.

When purchasing tweezers, pay attention to the material from which they are made. Those made from surgical steel will stay sharp longer.

4. Orange wood stick or metal spatula, which you will use to push back the cuticle.

5. Necessary products for the bath:

• olive oil,
• sea ​​salt,
• essential oils and more.

6. Nail polish remover

Choose one that does not contain acetone. This liquid will easily and gently remove nail polish without damaging them. If you have nail polish remover with acetone, then experts advise adding a little glycerin to it. It will retain moisture inside the nails, which is usually “taken away” by acetone, and will not allow the nails to be damaged. Removing nail polish with this cocktail is also easy.

7. Cotton balls or disks

Helps remove polish from nails and around the nail bed.

8. Softening cuticle oil

Apply before the removal procedure.

9. Cuticle remover

Helps quickly remove cuticles without using scissors.

10. Hand cream

It must be used constantly to keep the skin soft and not flaky.

11. Base coat and sealer

Allows the polish to stay on the nails longer.

12. Nail polish

It is best to have a large assortment to choose according to your mood and clothing ensemble.

Manicure technique: 4 stages

If you follow all the steps of a manicure, your nails will look beautiful and healthy.

1. Bath

If you decide to do a trim manicure, be sure to do a hand bath. This procedure will soften the cuticle, and it can be removed easily and without injury.

Fill a bowl with enough hot water to completely immerse your fingers in it. Add two to three tablespoons of olive oil, two tablespoons of colorless sea salt, a few drops of essential oil (for example, lemon, which lightens yellowed nail plates).

The oil will soften the skin and nourish your nails with valuable vitamins, and the salt will make them strong. Immerse your fingers in this solution and hold for about 10 minutes. Once the cuticle is soft, start removing it.

2. Cuticle removal

Taking out one finger at a time, use a spatula or stick to push the cuticle to the base of the nail.

You need to act with sufficient force, however, do not overdo it - you can damage the base of the nail. Then, using the sharp side of a stick or spatula, remove any remaining skin from under the cuticle.

If there are any nicks left, remove them using tweezers. Using tweezers you need to bite off the skin, not tear it off. This way you will avoid cuts.

With an unedged manicure, the cuticle is removed using a special product – cuticle remover.

Apply the gel around the nail, not forgetting the area under the nail.

Then carefully use a stick to remove the product along with the dissolved cuticle.

It is better not to apply it to all fingers, as the remover dries quite quickly. Treat two nails at a time.

Many manicurists advise applying cuticle remover to nails that are coated with varnish. Since some of them have a rather aggressive composition, which has a destructive effect on the nail plate.

3. Nail shape correction

If you decide to shorten your nails as much as possible, use nail scissors. Trim your nails in one confident motion.

Choose your future nail shape. There are several of them: pointed, stiletto, oval, square, round. If you have long, strong nails, then you can afford pointed nails. And if you are the owner of weak nails, then it is better to give them a square shape.

When filing your nails, point the file in one direction to prevent your nails from peeling. Make sure that all nails are the same length.

4. Varnish application and care

To ensure that the polish lays evenly and does not go beyond the boundaries of the nail, follow these instructions:

1. First, degrease your nails with nail polish remover so that the decorative coating lays flat and without bubbles.
2. Apply a base coat that will not only protect your nails from yellowing and the harmful effects of nail polish, but will also smooth out the surface of your nails.
3. Now take some nail polish on your brush. Swipe the brush from the base to the edge of the nail.
4. Make the second and third strokes also from the base of the nail, drawing a kind of arc with the brush, towards its edges.
5. Finally, use a topcoat that will add shine to your manicure and prolong its life.
6. If you are in a hurry, use the so-called “drying”. Just one drop of “drying” at the base of the nail - and the polish will dry almost instantly.
7. If you go beyond the edge of the nail, touch up any imperfections using a small brush, a Q-tip and nail polish remover.
8. Don't forget to constantly use a moisturizing or nourishing hand cream that will relieve your skin from dryness and flaking. Also, take care of your cuticles. Use nourishing oil, which should be rubbed into the cuticle until completely absorbed, and it will always look neat.

Experts advise in this video how to properly perform a manicure at home: