Getting a Professional Manicure? The Things Nail Care Will Always Include

There’s nothing quite like a visit to your nail salon for a spot of R&R. You sit back and unwind while your nails get pampered, primed, and tidied. But if you’ve never been to a nail bar, it can be a little daunting! If you have no idea what to expect from your first visit, you’ve come to the right place. We’re going to walk you through a visit to your nail bar and the things nail care will always include.

Photo showing some of the things nail care will always include.

What is a Nail Salon?

A nail salon is a specialty beauty bar that provides – you guessed it – nail services. Some of them include manicures, pedicures, acrylic and gel nails, and of course, nail polish and nail art. All of which are carried out by nail technicians or beauticians.

The Things Nail Care Will Always Include

When most people visit a nail bar, they usually opt for manicures and pedicures, and understandably so!

A mani is a beauty treatment for your hands and fingernails. And a pedi is a beauty treatment for your feet and toenails.

Getting a manicure or a pedicure is a perfect service to start with on your first nail bar visit. That way, you can ensure you’re getting the complete pampering experience. 

Plus, you’ll keep your nails healthy and avoid risking a bacteria infection common when your nail health isn’t prioritized.

We’re going to walk you through the mani/pedi process, so you can be aware of the things nail care will always include. That way, you have nothing to worry about other than pure relaxation. 

When You Arrive

Upon arrival, you’ll either be shown to a massage chair if you’re getting a pedicure. Or a comfortable booth with a table and chair if you opt for a manicure. If you’re getting a pedi, there are magazines for you to flick through while you’re getting pampered.

The nail tech may point you to their collection of nail polishes, where you can have fun picking the perfect shade to use.

Clean and Soak

The first step to your mani/pedi is cleaning the nails and washing the feet.

A pedicure involves a relaxing foot bath in warm water with bubbling jets. Then, your soak follows the cleaning of your nails with a varnish remover.

For a manicure, the nail tech may clean your hands with a hot towel. Then they’ll begin removing any old nail varnish or debris from your nails.

Shaping and Cutting The Nails

Now that your nails and fresh and clean, the nail tech will begin shaping and filing them to your liking. They may ask you which shape you prefer, i.e., pointed tip, rounded, square, oval, or almond.

They will check in throughout the process to make sure your nails are at your desired length. Now’s your chance to tell the nail tech if you prefer to keep your nails short or if you want to grow them.

Cuticle Cut

Next, you’ll have your cuticles pushed down using a special cuticle tool and your long cuticles trimmed. This is to ensure the nail polish goes on seamlessly and will last longer.

I promise having your cuticles trimmed is painless and not as scary as it sounds!

The Massage

This step is undoubtedly the best part of the mani/pedi experience! The massage follows the trimming and filing of the nails, although some nail techs may choose to do it prior.

A moisturizing product like a cream or cuticle oil is applied and massaged into the skin. Yes, please.

The Polish

You may have already picked your polish before getting started. But if not, the nail tech will bring out some nail polish choices on a nail swatch ring.

If you’re stumped and can’t decide which shade to wear, firstly, welcome to my life. Secondly, feel free to consult your nail tech for help or tips on which shade will work with your skin tone or wardrobe.

The nail tech will first use a base coat to protect the nails from damage and keep them healthy. Then they will apply 2-3 layers of color. Lastly, they will finish by applying a top coat to help the color last and prevent the nails from chipping or cracking.

Drying The Nails

It’s important you don’t race out the door just yet! You don’t want to chip or smudge your beautiful new varnish.

The nail tech may bring out a UV light to place your nails under, allowing the polish to harden. Or a mini fan used to speed up the drying process.

If you’re getting a pedi, you’ll use toe separators, so you don’t risk smudging your polish.

You don’t need to wait too long. Around 10 minutes should be enough time for your nails to dry before you head up to pay.

But be careful, your nails may be damp, so tread with caution to keep them looking good! 

Want to do Your Own At-Home Mani/Pedi?

Now that you’re well versed on the things nail care will always include, you’re ready to book your first nail bar appointment!

A photo showing the necessities for the perfect self care night.

But perhaps you fancy using these steps to treat yourself to a self-care night? Or maybe your wallet isn’t allowing for pampering sessions at the minute. 

We’ve got you covered. Here are all the supplies you need to try a DIY manicure and pedicure at home. 

Why Should I Visit The Nail Bar?

Visits to the nail bar help your nails look good, in turn, making you feel good! But they also keep your nails strong, ridding them of bacteria that could cause infection. And not to mention, keep your skin healthy too!

Our hands and feet go through a lot on a daily basis. And that can often lead to problems with our skin and nails, even causing infections in the area!

By taking the time to care for your nails now, it can help prevent painful conditions on the nail bed. Like hangnails, over biting, infections and dry, cracked skin, and even disease. 

A visit to the nail bar is more fun than a visit to the doctor or dermatologist because of a nail infection! So this is your sign to take the time to prioritize the health of your nails. 

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