Nail Care II SS1 Beauty & Cosmetology Lesson Note

The Steps for a Professional Manicure

Follow these steps in order to ensure your client’s hands look perfect and the polish lasts a long time.

1. Sanitize: Clean your hands and the client’s hands with an antiseptic or hand sanitizer.
2. Remove Old Polish: Use a cotton ball and nail polish remover. Even if they aren’t wearing polish, wipe the nails to remove natural oils.
3. Shape the Nails: Use your nail clippers to cut, then use the file (emery board) to shape. Ask the client if they want a Square, Oval, or Round shape.
4. Soak: Put the client’s fingers in a bowl of warm, soapy water for 3–5 minutes. This softens the skin (cuticles).
5. Cuticle Care: Gently push back the cuticles with your pusher. Use the nippers only to remove “hangnails” (loose skin at the sides).
6. Massage: Apply a little lotion and massage the hands. This is the part clients love the most!
7. Clean the Plate: Wipe the nails one last time to remove the lotion oil so the polish will stick.

The Steps for a Pedicure (The Feet)

A pedicure is very similar to a manicure, but with one extra “hard” step:

• The Scrub: Because we walk a lot, the skin on our heels gets hard (calluses). Use a Pumice Stone or Foot File while the feet are wet to scrub the dead skin away.
• Trim Straight: Always cut toenails straight across. Do not cut deep into the corners, or the nail might grow into the skin (Ingrown nail).
• Separate: Use toe separators so the toes don’t touch each other while you paint.

The “Perfect Paint” Technique (The 3-Stroke Rule)

Many beginners make the polish look “lumpy” because they paint too many times. Professionals use the 3-stroke method:

1. One stroke down the middle.
2. One stroke down the left side.
3. One stroke down the right side.

The Layers:

• Base Coat: A clear polish that prevents the nail from turning yellow.
• Color (2 Coats): For a bright, solid look.
• Top Coat: A clear, shiny layer that protects the color from chipping (peeling).

Nail Art Basics

Nail art is how you show your creativity. You don’t need fancy machines to start; you can use simple tools to make beautiful patterns.

Common Techniques:

• Dotting: Use the tip of a toothpick or a bobby pin dipped in polish to make dots. You can turn dots into flowers or “polka dots.”
• Striping: Use a very thin brush to draw straight lines.
• Ombré (Gradients): Put two colors of polish on a small piece of sponge and “dab” it onto the nail to blend the colors together.
• Stickers/Stones: You can glue small “rhinestones” (shining stones) or stickers onto the nail for a “party” look.

Safety and Hygiene Rules

• Don’t “Double Dip”: If you use a wooden stick to push cuticles, throw it away after one client. Don’t use it on the next person.
• Bleeding: If you accidentally cut a client, stop immediately! Apply a clean cotton ball with an antiseptic until the bleeding stops.
• Ventilation: Nail polish and removers have strong smells. Always work near a window or have a fan blowing.

Summary for the Student

Practice makes perfect. Your first few paintings might look a bit messy, but as your hand gets steady, you will become faster and neater.

Class Practical Activity:

• The “Fake Nail” Practice: We will use a piece of white paper. Draw 10 “nail shapes” on the paper and practice painting them with real nail polish using the 3-stroke rule.

Dotting Art: Use a toothpick and a different color of polish to create a small “flower” design (one dot in the middle, five dots around it) on your paper nails