Manicure 101

[honeybee_png]

Hi, i am really new to manicure and now i am very interested to start off with the simple french manicure myself.

I would like to know, in terms of removing cuticles, is it better to use (1) oil (eg. olive oil or baby oil), soak hands 5mins in warm water and remove cuticle, OR (2) use a cuticle remover like those available in Sally Hansen? Will the cuticle remover harsh to our skin?

For pedicure, do i need to remove cuticle as well?

Another silly question, where can i get the cuticle remover stick?
TIA

[chubbyvoo]

for removing of cuticles method (1) needs more time and not so thorough, method (2) very thorough but a bit drying, cos' cuticle softener contains alcohol. so must use cuticle oil after it.

pedi has lots and lots and lots more unwanted cuticle than mani.

orange sticks or stainless steel cuticle pusher can get from watsons, sasa, bugis village nail shops.........

[DiorSnow79]

i dont wish to use acetone to remove my powder form acrylic.. can i cut them bit by bit?? if not acetone will spolit my real nails!

[chubbyvoo]

i'm afraid using acetone is the only way to remove acrylic nails, that's from what i know...........

[darfen]

Hi gals,

can any expert here enlighten me on my below queries?

- For buffing, do we file our nails the direction that our nails grow, or horizontally?
- Is buffing suppose to leave scratches on our nail plate? (wondering if the quality of my buff block is poor)
- What's the use/benefit of buffing?
- What kind of buff block should I use for natural nail/acrylic/gel nail?
- If I do want any colour on my nail, should I buff them?

Thanks in advance!

[chubbyvoo]

darfen -

me not expert, just an ordinary manicurist, but can answer your questions -

-for buffing, can buff left and right horizontally, verticially you will be rubbing your cuticles already, filing cannot, only in one direction.

-the purpose of buffing is to make the nails smooth, scratches?? i think you mixed up with the steps already. 1st step, buff with the roughest surface, usually black in color, 2nd step, buff with medium texture buffer, 3rd step which is the last is the polisher, should make your nails shiny.

-buffing smoothen the nails, reduce thickening of nails, helps to reduce ridges, can also be buffed to super shine for guys or for girls who doesn't want lacquer on nails.

-there are different types of buffers, you have to ask the SA before purchase.

-yes, why not, looks shiny and healthier. i always buff nails for my hubby, he loves it!! the shine last for at least a week.

[darfen]

Thanks Chubbywoo,

What happen was yesterday i wanted to get myself a buff block. The sales guy ask me is it for acrylic, gel or natural nail. I told him is for natural nail. He recommended me to buy the white buff block. However, i told him I have the white one already(bought from his boss last time) and it leave scratches on my naills, I wanted the gold one 240grit buff(read from book that 240 grit is for natural nails). He said that is meant for gel. He added that he was surprised that pp actually buff their natural nail and if it's gg to be covered with nail lacquer, it's okay to have scratches. Is it true that if we are not put color or buff to shine, we shouldn't buff our nails. I told him that I learn from the book that we should do regular buffing, once a week. He then asked me what kind of book I read. I was quite pissed. In the end, i bought the one which I also dun no what it's used for.

[chubbyvoo]

so poor thing, buy something then not sure what is it for. all along i thought grits are for nail files only you can post the pics of your tools, i'll let you know which is which and the usage.

show you my buffer and the white block (ya, literally a white block)
black for step-1
green for step-2
white for step-3
http://s185.photobucket.com/albums/x...magicangel.jpg
http://s185.photobucket.com/albums/x...ent=buffer.jpg
http://s185.photobucket.com/albums/x...whiteblock.jpg

next time you tell him off that it is a standard procedure to buff nails to smooth before applying lacquer. sorry, but i think his knowledge is "private limited"

white blocks can be use for acrylic nails and natural nails, brittle/soft/thin nails cannot. white blocks can be use as step-1.

regular buffing yes, but you have to see if your nails are thick enough to take it. for me, i have thin nails, so i do with step-2 and step-3, step-1 only once in 5 or 6 weeks.

[darfen]

"240 grit- fine Thhis is the lowest grit that should be used on natural nail, either the free edge or nail plate. Any lower grit size will cause damage that is easily unaviodable.

400-900 grit This is usually the grit used in block buff that are designed to refine shape and smooth the surface of a artificial nail pior to shining. can be used gently on a ridged bug toe before buffing.

900-1200 grit Usually used on a three way buffer where the roughest side is used first to smooth, then next to refine and remove any scratches follow by the smooth side to bring surface to a high shine. Used on natural and artificial nails."

I lifted this from "Complete nail technician"

Anyway I post my picture when i get home. Thanks, chubbywoo!

[ing]

so poor thing, buy something then not sure what is it for. all along i thought grits are for nail files only you can post the pics of your tools, i'll let you know which is which and the usage.

show you my buffer and the white block (ya, literally a white block)
black for step-1
green for step-2
white for step-3
http://s185.photobucket.com/albums/x...magicangel.jpg
http://s185.photobucket.com/albums/x...ent=buffer.jpg
http://s185.photobucket.com/albums/x...whiteblock.jpg

next time you tell him off that it is a standard procedure to buff nails to smooth before applying lacquer. sorry, but i think his knowledge is "private limited"

white blocks can be use for acrylic nails and natural nails, brittle/soft/thin nails cannot. white blocks can be use as step-1.

regular buffing yes, but you have to see if your nails are thick enough to take it. for me, i have thin nails, so i do with step-2 and step-3, step-1 only once in 5 or 6 weeks.

hi cubbywoo, may i know where did you get yr buffer from? how much would that be?

[chubbyvoo]

my super shiny magic angel buffer from PNC Traders, retailing at $6.00. their address Blk 34 upper cross st #02-150, tel 6534 2844

if tampines is more convenient for you, then you can consider getting from me too. i got 2 dozens of them at the moment.

[ing]

tks chubbyvoo! i stay near town so tampines too far.

which part of upper cross st does blk 34 near to? u r a manicurist? can PM me where u r stationed?

many tks in advance!

[hui]

hi-

i'm not sure if this is the right place to post this, if its not moderators please feel free to shift this post to another thread.

i heard that its not good to use acetone nail polish removers to remove nail polish. is this true? if yes, where can i get non-acetone nail polish removers? thanks!

[chubbyvoo]

tks chubbyvoo! i stay near town so tampines too far.

which part of upper cross st does blk 34 near to? u r a manicurist? can PM me where u r stationed?

many tks in advance!

upper cross street is near chinatown mrt. there is this old building besides OG and PNC is just above the coffee shop. if still lost can call and look for lilian, she is very friendly.

yes, i'm a manicurist. your pm not enable...........

[chubbyvoo]

hi-

i'm not sure if this is the right place to post this, if its not moderators please feel free to shift this post to another thread.

i heard that its not good to use acetone nail polish removers to remove nail polish. is this true? if yes, where can i get non-acetone nail polish removers? thanks!

acetone is a drying chemical. my girlfriend accidentially drip pure acetone on her rubber table mat and it literally crumbled. if you can afford, non-acetone nail polish will be the best, especially for dry and sensitive nails. if not, apply cuticle oil will help too. non-acetone removers slightly more expensive, but can easily be purchased at watson, metro etc.

hope my little infor helps.