Notes

STEPS TO BASIC MANICURE:

1. Begin by using a cotton ball or gauze pad to remove old polish from nails. Hold the cotton on each nail while silently counting to 10. Use a firm touch and continue until all traces are removed. If necessary, wrap cotton around a wooden pusher tip to clean polish away from the nail fold area. Check for any hidden abnormalities after removal.
2. Shape the nails using a medium-grit abrasive file, starting with the left hand, little finger, between thumb and index finger. File from one side to the center of the free edge, then from the other side. Avoid sawing back and forth motions, and file from the little fingernail to the thumb to reduce the risk of ingrown nails.
3. Place left hand's fingertips in a bowl to soften eponychium and cuticle, then file right hand nails, starting from the little finger to the thumb.
4. Repeat 1-3 on the other hand.
5. Remove left hand from fingerbowl, brush nails with a wet brush, and remove debris from fingertips using downward strokes, starting at the first knuckle.
6. Dry the hand with a towel designated as this client’s service towel. As you dry, gently push back the eponychium with the towel. Now place the right hand into the fingerbowl to soak while you continue with the next step on the left hand.
7. Apply cuticle remover to left hand nail plates using a cotton-tipped pusher or swab.
Avoid using on living skin as it can cause dryness and irritation. These products soften skin and are caustic, irritating, and not suitable for eponychium contact.
8. Allow cuticle remover to set, remove cuticles with wooden or metal pushers, gently lift tissue from left hand nail plates.
9. Use sharp nippers to remove any loosely hanging tags of dead skin (hangnails). Never rip or tear the cuticle tags or the living skin, since this may lead to infection.
8. Gently clean under the free edge using a cotton swab or wooden pusher, avoiding aggressive cleaning to prevent onycholysis.
9. Use a nail brush to remove debris and cuticle remover from the left hand, wash the nail plate, and instruct the client to rest the left hand on a towel.
9. Apply a nail bleach product to yellow nails with a cotton-tipped orangewood stick, wearing gloves, and repeating if necessary. Bleach certain clients' nails multiple times during multiple services to address yellow stain or discoloration. Surface stains are easier to remove, but nail bleaches cannot completely remove deep-rooted yellow discoloration. These products work best for surface stains, such as tobacco, and should be informed of the client's nail color.
10. Use a three-way or four-way buffer to smooth out surface scratches and give the natural nail a brilliant shine.
11. Repeat steps 5-10 on the right hand.
12. Use a three-way or four-way brush to smooth nail scratches.
13. Apply nail oil using a wooden pusher, swab, or eyedropper, starting with the left finger and massage.
Remove rough spots on free edges by beveling the underside of the nail with a medium-grit abrasive board at a 45-degree angle. For weak nails, use a non-grit board or buffer.
14. Apply massage lotion or oil and follow the massage procedure.
15. Remove all lotion or oil from the nail plate after massage to ensure proper polish adhesion. Use a cotton piece with alcohol, acetone, or polish remover, and clean under the free edge to remove remaining massage lotion.
16. Clients should have already chosen their polish; if not, ask for color selection.
17. Apply a base coat to prevent nail staining and ensure polish adheres to nail plates. Consider using nail strengthener/hardener for thin, weak nails before the base coat.
-You’ve performed a beautiful, finished manicure.