From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Manicure
Manicure
Ex-servicewomen learning manicure techniques, 1945
Cixi was known to keep very long naturally-grown
nails.[1]
French manicures are manicures designed to resem-
Example of a French manicure ble natural nails, and are characterized by natural pink
base nails with white tips. The tips of the nails are paint-
A manicure is a cosmetic beauty treatment for the ed white while the rest of the nails are polished in a pink
fingernails and hands performed at home or in a nail sa- or a suitable nude shade. French manicures may have
lon. A manicure treatment is not only a treatment for the originated in eighteenth-century Paris and were popular
natural nails but also for the hands. A manicure consists in the 1920s and 1930s.[citation needed]
of filing, shaping of the free edge, treatments, massage
of the hand and the application of polish. There are al-
so manicure services that are specialities for the hands
Fashion nails
and feet. For the hands, the soaking of a softening sub- Main article: Artificial nails
stance and the application of a lotion is a common spe-
ciality. When applied to the toenails and feet, this treat-
ment is referred to as a pedicure. The word "manicure"
Modern manicure treatments
derives from Latin: manus for "hand," cura for "care." Nowadays the manicure is not just for an aesthetic bene-
Other nail treatments may include the application of fit. More emphasis is now given to correct preparation of
artificial nail tips, acrylics or artificial nail gels. Some the nail such as removing the cuticle (eponychium) and
manicures can include the painting of pictures or designs applying a variety of creams and oils in order to maintain
on the nails or applying small decals or imitation jewels. a healthy balance of oils on and around the nail bed. [2]
In many areas, manicurists are licensed and follow
regulation. Since skin is manipulated and is sometimes
trimmed, there is a certain risk of spreading infection
Nail care
when tools are used across many people and, therefore, Natural nails are made up of protein keratin. The nail
sanitation is a serious issue. plate requires a certain amount of flexibility and mois-
ture to encourage healthy growth. Using ’hardening’
treatments and harsh chemicals on natural nails will
History make the nail plate brittle and more prone to breakages.
Manicures began 5000 years ago. In Arab countries, hen- The use of nail moisturizers and clear polish proteins is
na was used for manicure. The term mehendi, used syn- essential for perfect growth. A professional Nail Tech-
onymously for henna, henna being an Arabic word, de- nician or Manicurist will use a written, verbal and ob-
rives from the Sanskrit mehandika. Empress Dowager servational consultation to determine the condition of a
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Manicure
client’s natural nails[citation needed]. A manicure treatment
should take from about thirty minutes to one hour.
Paraffin treatments
Hands can be dipped in melted paraffin wax for softening
and moisturizing. Paraffin wax is used because it can be
heated to temperatures of over 95 °F (35 °C), without
burning or injuring the hand.[citation needed] The intense
heat allows for deeper absorption of emollients and es-
sential oils. The wax is usually infused with various
botanical ingredients such as Aloe vera, chamomile, tea
tree oil, and azulene. Fruit waxes such as peach, apple
and strawberry are often used in salons.
Occasionally, lotion is rubbed on the hand before sub-
mersion into the paraffin bath. The hand is usually
dipped more than once to allow a thicker wax coat to
form, making the coating stay warm for longer and less
likely to break or tear prematurely. After the hands have
been dipped in the wax, they are wrapped in either plas-
tic or aluminum foil, or a special type of plastic bag or
A standard cuticle nipper used during manicure.
glove then covered with towel or special mitten to retain
warmth. The hands are left for a few minutes before the
paraffin is cooled and dried. • Base coat polish & ridge filler polish
• Color varnish
• Top coat or sealant
Hot oil manicure • Nail bindi stick-on jewels
A hot oil manicure is a specific type of manicure that • Nail polish remover or nail polish remover wipes
cleans the cuticles and softens them with oil. It works • Hand cream
well for dry skin and nails that are brittle as it improves • Sanitizing spray/towels
both by leaving them soft and pliable. Types of oils that • Cotton balls/pads
can be used are mineral oil, olive oil or commercial • Hand towels
preparation in an electric heater.
Specialty methods
Common manicure tools and In the United States, many nail salons are offering per-
sonal nail tool kits available for purchase to avoid the
supplies issue of sanitation. The kits are often kept in the salon
and only used when that client comes in for a treatment.
Tools:
Since the 1970s, the overwhelming majority of profes-
• Bowl of warm water or fingerbath
sional salons now implement the use of electric nail files
• Nail clippers
which are faster and yield higher quality results.[citation
• Cuticle knife and clippers needed]
• Cuticle pusher/Hoof stick – often made from metal
or orange wood
• Nail file/electric nail file/emery board References
• buffer
[1] CUNY: The History of the Modern World:
• scissors
Imperialism
• brush
[2] Manicure Techniques
• Orange Stick
• Manicure table
• Rubber thimble resembling object (used to help open External links
polish) • http://www.uspedicurespa.com/blog/12-history-of-
Supplies: pedicures.aspx - History of Manicure and Pedicure
• Cuticle remover
• Massage lotion
• Nail polish
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Manicure
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Manicure&oldid=460737746"
Categories:
• Nail care
• Body modification
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