Truly beautiful nails need care and attention on a regular basis and what better way to pamper them, than with an exquisitely crafted manicure set. When choosing a manicure set, bear in mind what requirements you need – Do your nails often snag? Are they fast growing? Do you have brittle nails? Different nail types may require slightly different implements, so it is worth considering this before you make a purchase.

A standard manicure set should always contain nail scissors, tweezers and a nail file, but many luxury sets have extra implements such as clippers, nail pliers and under nail cleaners.

Nail clippers are great for cutting down long nails, but can leave the tips of nails angular and square. To create a less jagged and more rounded tip to nails, manicure scissors are ideal as the blades are curved. This means they can follow the natural shape of the nails more easily. Another key advantage of nail scissors is that you can see exactly how much of the nail is being trimmed, which is sometimes difficult to judge with nail clippers. Nail scissors are also a good investment for those with brittle nails – to prevent nails from snapping it is best to keep them short. Cutting brittle nails with nail clippers may cause them to split, whereas nail scissors produce much less pressure on the nail when cutting, reducing the chance of this happening.

Nail pliers are more robust, and create a greater cutting force. As such, they should be avoided for use on delicate nails, but are perfect for thick nails – especially toe nails! Often, normal nail clippers or scissors just can’t adequately cut toe nails, but with professional quality nail pliers, cutting tough nails becomes easy.

Cuticle shapers, or a ‘hoof stick’ can be used to push and shape cuticles back from covering the nail, to the base of the nail bed. Not only does this give the nail a neater appearance, but it actually helps promote nail growth. Overgrown cuticles cover the nail plate and this impedes growth, so regular cuticle care can help those with shorter nails. Shapely cuticles are also an advantage for those who frequently paint their nails, as it creates a better shaped nail, and painting over the top of cuticles will result in nail varnish chipping more easily.

Longer nails may benefit from a nail cleaner, as these are specifically designed to reach under the nail and help remove any debris and dirt that collects under it.

Many manicure sets also have a nail file, which is always a great investment. Nail files are perfect for shaping the tip of a nail once it has been cut to a desired length, or for getting rid of jagged ends when a nail tears. Ensure that you file in one direction only for a smooth edge.

Manicure implements come in a variety of finishes: stainless steel, chrome or even gold-plated. Professional quality implements are considerably more expensive but should last a lifetime and carry a guarantee. Manicure cases are available in many different styles and finishes. A small neat one is perfect for keeping in a handbag for that unforeseen emergency! Leather sets are more expensive than those made from man-made materials, but make a lovely present to give or receive.



By: JA Robinson

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French Manicure is a style that’s elegant and showcases white nail tips highlighted by a base having natural look. Ideal for moderate or short-length nails, French manicure was made well known by famous stars and fashion authorities in the 1920s and still continue to be trendy these days.

French Manicure Description

Fashion gurus possess conflicting points of view on the stylish French manicure. Some experts deem that it is old fashioned while still others favor the outlook that it is elegant and timeless and will never be outmoded. Nonetheless, whatever the experts believe, still a lot of women opt for the French manicure due to its natural appearance and sophistication. It also provides the nails well-groomed and neat look that is not ostentatious and finicky.

French Manicure is a manicure style that’s graceful. It showcases white nail tips highlighted by a base having natural look. It is a fashion technique of polishing the finger or toe nails in which off white or ivory nail polish is put on to the tips of the nails while sheer polish, soft beige or pastel pink coat is applied to the rest of the nails. This style is ideal for moderate or short-length nails. French manicure was made well known by famous stars and fashion authorities in the last century and yet it’s still a remarkable part of vogue trends this present day.

French Manicure History

Let’s learn the staging on the progress of the French manicure approaches, together with a few of the variants existing in our day. The introduction of the first French manicure is quite uncertain. However undoubtedly, the French manicure technique became prevalent in several French nail salons. In the early periods of the 20th century, the chic style drew the interests of US fashion designers. This led to the massive application of the French manicure amongst the famous female celebrities of the 1920s. Then, ladies in the United States imitated the procedure. The craze went on until 1930s as countless ladies have the French manicure as part of their beauty treatments at salons. However with the Depression that controlled a large part of the US, practical women started to study the procedures to craft the manicure’s appearance at home.

French Manicure Procedures

Before you start giving your nails a French manicure, make sure you have followed the general rule for putting on nail polish.

• Prepare your nails by immersing them in lukewarm water in order to make softer the cuticles.

• Get rid of old nail polish using acetone remover. Lightly push cuticles back with an orangewood stick and cuticle remover. Clean and trim your nails.

• Spread over hand cream to your nails and wipe them in. Let it there for three to four minutes. Wipe down nails using a tissue to eliminate surplus.

• Apply an even and thin clear base coat. Place a tip guide unto your nails. This will wrap your nail’s lower portion. Then follow the curvature of your nail tip’s white color.

• Put on white or neutral polish to the uncovered tips of the nails and dry. The portion that will be painted white must be kept thin. Going too broadly on the white paints will make your fingernails appear stocky.

• When the tip’s white polish is already dry, carefully take away the nail tip guides.

• Paint the whole length of the nails twice using a beige polish.

• Lastly, set a layer of top coat. The top coat’s main job is to shield the layers underneath it.

• Clean few slip-ups (if any) with the use of an orangewood stick enveloped in cotton dampened with acetone or remover.

• Let your fingernails dry totally. It normally takes 25 minutes before your finger nails can perform small things. Although it takes an hour before you can actually use your hands for bigger tasks.

In order to have an enduring French manicure as well as maintain neat looking nails, make sure to put an added coating of top coat on the nails each night. Moreover, beauty stores and pharmacies make available nail polish kits particularly built for the French manicure. These assembled kits will be highly handy for you. And, you can visit a nail spa or salon to get your nails polished if you are anxious of manicuring yourself. In general, French manicure costs higher over a regular polish due to the level of precision required to come up with a nice set of French manicure.



By: David H. Urmann

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Amy asked:


On average?
I want to take myself and two friends for a spaish treatment on my sweet sixteen and I need ideas on how much it’s gonna cost me.
*spa-ish not spaish