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Manicure Techniques for Nails

Basic Manicure

This is the absolute bread and butter of your nailcare regime. A regular manicure will give you strong, smooth and beautiful nails.

1. Remove old polish with a non-acetone polish remover.
2. File your nails into shape. The most protective and elongating shape is the squoval, where the sides are straight but the top is curved. To prevent damaging the nail layers you should file in only one direction. preferably from the outside into the middle.
3. Soak your nails in a little warm water to soften the remaining cuticles and then gently push them back with an orange stick. The first time you do this you may have a lot of cuticle;in this case, apply a cuticle remover to each nail. Leave to work for two three minutes, then wipe off. This will remove any excess without harming the nail bed. Wash your hands again and dry well.
4. Apply hand cream to the hands and nails and wait two to three minutes. Now wipe each nail with a tissue to remove any excess.
5. Apply the base coat and leave to dry. Then apply polish. The best way to do this is with two or three thin coats. Start at the base of the nail and sweep up in one easy movement. Cover the middle of the nail first, then the edges. Any spills over the side can be wiped off with the orange stick dipped in a little nail polish remover.
6. Wait for the colour to dry, then cover the nail with a top coat. To help your colour last longer, apply this under the nail tip and along the nail tip as well. Leave for at least half an hour before touching and remember, polish takes four to five hours to dry completely.

French Manicure

This traditional manicure technique is used to enhance the contrast between the main part of the nail and the tip.

1. Shape nails and deal with cuticles as with the traditional manicure. Than apply base coat.
2. Now paint the whole nail with a neutral, pale shade which should match the natural colour of the nail bed. Leave this to dry.
3. Paint the naturally white tip of the nail with an opaque white or beige polish. In traditional french manicures this white strip is straight across the tip of the nail;however, curving it to follow (or create) a natural oval will make the nails look longer.
4. Finish off the nail with a coat of clear varnish. This will protect the layers underneath,helping the manicure to last longer.