The Art of a Manicure

Beautiful hands are a must, not only for the working girl, but for every girl or woman out there who cares about personal hygiene. Your hands are almost always noticed by people around you, so ensure yours are always in tip-top shape.

Before we get started, here's a quick lesson in nail care: The word "manicure" comes from the Latin words mani (hand) and cara (care), so in essence, a manicure is basically caring for your hands, although many people associate a manicure simply with fingernails.

When you go to a salon for a manicure, you are likely to get the following treatment: filing and shaping of the nails, cuticle massage and care as well as the application of nail polish, before finishing off the treatment with a moisturizing treatment (and possibly a massage) for the hands.

French manicures and Nail Art techniques are often incorporated in some manicures. A French manicure is simply a nail painting technique where two shades (usually pink or neutral and white) are used to distinctly mark sections of your nail. The tips of the nails are first painted with a white polish and once it dries, a second coat of pink or natural nail color is applied over the nail to give it a more natural look. This look is clean and crisp and is probably one of the most common, and desirable nail-painting techniques.

Nail Art techniques can include designs on the nails with special nail art stickers, drawing patterns with nail polish or adding nail jewels with specially designed gems that are placed on the nail and secured with clear nail polish.