NATURAL NAIL MANICURE- PROCEDURE.

1. Discuss shape of nails client requires, type of polish or treatment required. Check for ridges etc. Providing their are no contra- indications present you are ready to begin.The client should remove all jewellery and turn back sleeves up to above the elbow to keep them clean and dry.

2. Use Sterilising Spray to ensure implements and working area are thoroughly clean before beginning the treatment. The client should wash their hands, remove old nail polish (squeek the nails!!). Use a steriliser solution to wipe clean the arm and hand area before filing.

3. Starting with one hand, reduce length of nails with clippers or scissors if required. Shape the nails using an emery board (there are different thicknesses of emery board). Always ensure you file in only one direction, from the sides of the nail to the tip, to form a curve. Avoid using a 'sawing' action. Common shapes used are :square, oval or squoval. Bevel and buff the nails, using buffing paste and a 3 -Way Satin Buffer. Bevelling seals the free edge layers to prevent water loss and mechanical damage.

4. Apply Cuticle Massage Cream to the base of the nail area, using an orange stick or cotton wool bud and massage well into the cuticles to nourish, condition and soften them. Place hand into the manicure bowl filled with warm soapy water. This helps to absorb the cream and softens the nails.

5. Repeat steps 3 & 4 on the other hand, removing the first hand from the manicure bowl before emmersing the second hand.

6. Dry the hand with a small towel. Apply cuticle remover with a cottonwool bud. It is caustic, so take care to apply sparingly and not onto the surrounding skin. Refer to COSHH regulations and manufacturers' instructions.

7. Ease back cuticles with a hoof stick using circular motions. Depending upon the amount of work to be done on the cuticle, you may need to use the cuticle knife to ease the excess away from the nail plate.

8. Cuticle nippers may be used to trim off the excess cuticle; use a tissue to dispose of the waste.
Bevel again to give a smooth finish to the free edge.

9. Remove the second hand from the water and repeat stages 6, 7 & 8. To soften and nourish the nails and cuticles, apply a small drop of Phase 3 Cuticle Oil to each nail and buff to a glass like shine using the 3-way Satin Buffer.

10. Apply a suitable massage medium to the hands and lower arms, including the elbows and massage well into the skin using 'Petrissage and Effluerage' massage movements.

11. Circular thumb frictions get rid of tension in the flexors and extensors of the forearm.

12. Do circular thumb frictions over the back of the hand (petrissage).

13. Support the hand and give circular manipulations to each finger- this will help free tension in the knuckles. Do not pull on the finger or make the circles too big.

14. Grip the client's finger between your bent first and middle fingers and pull and twist gently down the length of each finger.

15. Interlock the clients' fingers with your own, and supporting the forearm, gently manipulate the wrist backwards and forewards, to loosen the wrist and get rid of tension.

16. Apply circular thumb frictions to the palm (kneeding). Stretch the palm out slightly.

17. Finish your massage with effluerage up to the elbow.

18. With warm soapy water, gently wash the nails with a soft brush to remove any grease from the massage medium.

19. Apply a suitable base coat. Some nail systems have joint strengtheners or corrective properties within the base coat.

20. Apply the varnish of the clients' choice, with clean strokes, without flooding the cuticle area.

21. Topcoat will give a professional finish and the results should look good for some time.