In today's world, every woman strives to look attractive, and one of the main attributes of beauty is well-groomed nails. A neat and stylish manicure is every girl's dream. However, due to the hectic pace of life, endless tasks, and household chores, there is often no time even for a full rest, let alone a trip to the salon.
Nevertheless, the desire to have beautiful and well-groomed nails does not disappear. In such cases, an excellent solution is express manicure – a quick and convenient way to get your hands in order without wasting too much time.
What is express manicure, what are its advantages, and how to do it, you will find out in our article.
What is an express manicure?
An express manicure is a modern and convenient solution for nail and hand care that takes only about 30 minutes. It’s the perfect option for people with a busy schedule, as it can be done during a lunch break, between meetings, or before heading home.
This type of manicure appeared relatively recently and became the nail service industry's response to the changing needs of clients. The reduced procedure time does not affect the quality of the result – hands and nails will look well-groomed and stylish.
The secret to the speed of an express manicure lies in optimizing the process. Manicure specialists skip some stages of the traditional manicure while maintaining a high level of nail care.
- The technician does not use bowls or special solutions to soften the skin of the hands.
- The cuticle is not trimmed but is carefully softened and pushed back by the manicurist. This method of care has its advantages: the nail bed retains its natural protection, which promotes the health and well-groomed appearance of the nails.
- The nails are not covered with colored polishes. The specialist applies only a base coat for the manicure or a clear treatment composition that provides care and protection.
Removing these steps from the process significantly reduces the time spent on the manicure, while the quality of the result remains high. The nails look neat and well-groomed. Notably, an express manicure can usually be done without prior appointment.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Express Manicure
1. Naturalness and Versatility. This manicure becomes a universal solution, perfectly complementing any makeup, hairstyle, and outfit. There’s no need to spend a lot of time thinking about which gel polish shade or design to choose to match the color of a dress or bag.
2. Time Efficiency. This is the clear advantage of any quick procedure: a woman can take care of her nails in the same amount of time it takes to shower after a busy workday.
3. Alternativeness. The specialist carefully treats the nails and applies a transparent base, creating a perfect foundation for further design. When the client has free time, she can add a bright accent by applying a layer of colored polish or decorating the nails with an original print.
4. Safety. Express manicure excludes cuticle cutting. The specialist gently pushes back the cuticle and shapes the nails using files of various grits. Tools like scissors and nippers are not used during the process, making the procedure as gentle and safe as possible.
5. Affordable Price. Express manicure is a service that delights not only with its speed but also with its affordable price. Unlike many other procedures, there’s no extra charge for urgency. The cost of this nail care is significantly lower, making it accessible even with a limited budget.
Disadvantages: The express manicure procedure has one significant drawback — it is quite difficult to perform it on your own at home without special training. For a quality result, it is necessary to visit a professional in a salon. It is the expertise of the specialist that ensures the fastest and most flawless execution of the express manicure.
Disadvantages: The express manicure procedure has one significant drawback — it is quite difficult to perform it on your own at home without special training. For a quality result, it is necessary to visit a professional in a salon. It is the expertise of the specialist that ensures the fastest and most flawless execution of the express manicure.
Tools and materials required for express manicure
- Nail file set for shaping nails
- Pusher or orange stick
- Buff for polishing nails (occasionally used)
- Antiseptic
- Cuticle softening product
- Nail base (clear or treatment polish)
- Nail polish remover (if there is old polish on the nails)
To ensure safe working conditions and comfort in nail services, it is crucial to use special equipment to remove organic dust from the air. Such dust can be potentially harmful to both the nail technician and the client. An excellent solution is a nail extractor with a replaceable dust collector. This device is specifically designed to meet the needs of nail technicians and combines optimal power with an affordable price.
Step-by-step guide for an express manicure
1. First, thoroughly prepare the work area. Clean the table with an antiseptic, and then use the same product to disinfect the client's hands to ensure maximum hygiene and safety.
2. If necessary, remove the old nail polish.
3. Shape the nails to the desired form. You'll need a set of files with varying grits. For initial shaping, use a coarse file to quickly adjust the length and shape. Finish the process with a fine-grit file for a more precise result. If there are any imperfections on the nail surface, it's recommended to use a buffer to lightly polish and smooth the nails.
4. To treat the cuticles and sidewalls, use a special softening product to treat the hardened skin. This fast-acting solution is applied to the affected areas to prepare the skin for further treatment. Once the product has taken effect, carefully remove the hardened layer from the sidewalls using a special file. Treat the cuticle with an orange stick to perform the procedure gently and effectively.
5. After removing any remaining cuticle softener, re-disinfect the client's hands with antiseptic.
6. In the final step, the specialist may, at the client's request, apply a clear polish to give the nails a polished and well-groomed appearance. If the nails are in poor condition, the specialist may also suggest using a strengthening treatment polish to restore and fortify them.
Express manicure is a quick and convenient way to give your nails a well-groomed look. Try this procedure, and if you like it, you can make it a part of your nail care routine. If you're looking for something more durable, consider gel polish manicure, which is also very popular. Choose what works best for you!