The text message from my sister-in-law made me pause.
Admittedly, she likes to have fun, but the message: Want to have a man later? seemed a little brash, considering the timing (Sunday morning) and the fact we both had spouses.
Then I looked at it again. It actually read, Want to have a mani.? She meant manicure, silly me!
In the past, a professional manicure or mani had rarely been on my radar. For the most part, I consider my fingers to be tools, not jewels. But I've learned that taking care of your hands is not just vanity, it can also benefit your health and wellness. So I went along with my big sis and we had a good chitchat, side-by-side while our hands were groomed, massaged, buffed and polished.
Here's what to expect from a professional manicure, plus tips to take home so you can have a healthy mani on your own.
A note: when choosing a nail salon, hygiene and professionalism are paramount. All tools should be cleaned and sterilized between use and the salon pros should have no problem answering your questions about the vast array of options (classic, express, deluxe) and finishes (regular, gel, shellac, acrylic). If you're unsure where to begin, start with a classic manicure and a buff or regular polish, as described below. Allow from 30 to 60 minutes for your treatment.
First, pick your polish. At a salon, your esthetician will ask you to pick a colour from a vast array of choices usually painted on sample tips. Try them overtop your nails and consider how your skin tone enhances or detracts. Your manicurist will also remove any existing polish from your fingertips.
Next, you soak. Both hands are immersed in warm soapy water for a few minutes. This softens your cuticles and readies your fingernails for filing. Your manicurist will trim and file your nails and gently trim and push back cuticles. They may or may not add oil or lotion first. A cuticle trim shouldn't hurt and professionals won't poke and pluck roughly.
You may prefer to simply have your cuticles gently pushed back with the pad of a towel. This is also a good technique for at home, after a bath or shower. If you have rough callouses on your palms or fingers from working out or gardening, your manicurist can exfoliate those too.
One of the best parts of a manicure is the massage. Using lotion, your practitioner will gently massage pressure points and work out stress on each hand, finger, wrist and forearm. This is a wonderful bonus and helps alleviate tension and fatigue.
Finally, the buff or polish. In a classic manicure your technician will cleanse the nails then apply a clear basecoat, two coats of colour and a top coat. Or, you can leave your nails natural and buffed. If you like to do your own polish at home, it's a good idea to watch your manicurist's technique and copy it. Allow your polish to set for at least 10 to 15 minutes and avoid any rough handling for several hours until the polish is fully dry.
Both men and women can enjoy the benefits of regular manicures. Not only will your hands be well groomed, your nails will be less susceptible to hangnails, splits and breaks.
