In this blog, i will let you know what your nail tech doesn’t want you to know.
Below is a breakdown of the full classic manicure process, from trimming and shaping to cuticle care and nail strengthening.
What products do you need to have for the classic manicure?
You can find all of these products in most pharmacies and cosmetic stores. However, if you choose to buy them using the link below, you will be supporting my blog and helping me continue creating helpful content for you.
1. Trimming the Nails:
The manicure begins with trimming the nails to your desired length.
This step: Removes uneven or broken edges, prevent snagging and helps maintain consistency between all fingers. Using high-quality nail clippers or a professional nail tool ensures a clean cut without splitting the nail.
For the hygiene, you should bring your own. Even in any salon, they sanitize very well but I also recommend using your own.
Recommend: Single-blade nail trimmer
Why should you consider this nail trimmer? It’s not because it’s expensive. In fact, it’s quite expensive because it’s different from other nail trimmers. Most nail trimmers used by nail technicians are double-blade and stainless steel. They’re reusable and can be sanitized with barbicide and UV light. However, they can also cause your nails to split and crack, and sometimes you may even scratch yourself.
Using a single-blade nail clipper will result in clean, straight nails that don’t require filing or buffing.
2. Nail Shaping:
After trimming, nails are shaped using a nail file. The most common shapes include:
- Natural square: straight edges with little round in the corners ( not too much ).
- Round: Natural curves.
- Oval: Elegant round like almond but less pointy.
- Almond: I’m not really recommending this shape on natural nails. I you have long nails bed and healthy
Shaping improves not only the appearance but also the strength of your nails by preventing breakage on weak points.
Recommend: All-in-One Revlon Shape ‘N’ Buff Nail Buffer Block
3. Cuticle Removal (traditional way)
Nowadays, we can do dry manicure. I will talk about this in another blog.
This step is really important to make your nails look longer and cleaner and prepares the nail surface for polish to avoid peeling and lifting of nail color.
Cuticles protect the nail bed, but when they grow over the nail plate, they create a messy look. A classic manicure gently removes excess cuticle and dead skin using:
You need cuticle pusher, cuticle nipper, cuticle softener and warm water.
First, You soak your nails in warm water around 1 minute then use cuticle softener. Second, You push the eponychium up, at this step you already remove cuticle with the pusher. Then, you use the cuticle nipper to take the rest of cuticle.
Recommend:
4. Nail Enhancement: Hardening for Stronger Nails
Many people struggle with soft, peeling, or brittle nails.
A classic manicure can include a nail-hardening treatment to strengthen the natural nails.
These treatments often come in the form of:
Hardening base coats Keratin or calcium formulas Strengthening serums
The result? Improved nail durability, reduced breakage, and a smoother surface for any polish or gel application.
Recommend: Nail Envy Hardener
5. Cuticle Oil:
The final step is applying cuticle oil, which hydrates the nail and surrounding skin.
Cuticle oil is essential because it:
Boosts nail flexibility (reducing cracks), prevents dryness and hangnails, keeps manicures looking fresh longer.
For best results, apply cuticle oil daily — even when you’re not wearing polish.
Recommend: Essie apricot vegan cuticle oil | Jojoba oil & Apricot kernel oil
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