TIP OF THE WEEK #25
WATERLESS MANICURES By Vicki Peters

A waterless manicure is not a new idea, just a new concept that seems to be 
catching on. Gone should be the plastic bowls and dehydrating that water 
does while soaking in it. Soaking the nails in water expands them. We should 
be re-hydrating not dehydrating and using lotions and oils instead of soaking 
does just that. During a regular manicure as well as a spa manicure we 
should be doing more skincare in our services and not soaking in water is the 
perfect way to do that. So here are some suggestions and the way I do a 
manicure. Take what you like and make up your own system of a waterless 
manicure and restructure your manicure menu. The old fashioned way of 
manicuring natural nails are gone and it is time for all of use to upgrade. 

STEP #1
Always have the client take a clean dry sanitized nylon nail brush to the 
bathroom and brush her nails and wash her hands well before you begin the 
service. You should wash your hands as well. I put together a little 
manicuring basket that has the nailbrush in it, some antibacterial soap that 
smells wonderful and exfoliator to exfoliate her hands. I try to make it 
special. You can retail the soap and exfoliator too. You must exfoliate 
before you can condition because you cannot condition dead skin. 

STEP #2
Remove the polish and file and shape the nails perfectly.
Do any repairs that need to be done at this time. 

STEP #3
Apply cuticle oil or cuticle remover or cuticle cream (whatever you prefer) 
to all ten nails and rub in. If the cuticles are in need of a lot of 
attention you may want to use a cuticle cream with Alpha Hydroxy in it. 

STEP #4
Do a hand five-minute massage with a hydrating lotion - don't spare any 
expense here - use something really good that has conditioning agents and not 
a lot of greasy ingredients like mineral oil. Do not rub the lotion 
completely in and use an ample amount.

STEP #5
This is where you would paraffin dip if that is part of your service. Dip 
the hands three times and place the hands into a plastic bag and into mitts. 
If you do not paraffin dip the hands then place them in plastic bags and 
warming mitts instead. Leave the hands in for about 5-10 minutes. 

STEP #6 
Remove the mitts or the paraffin and massage in the remainder of the lotion 
and moisturizers.

STEP #7
This is where I would so any skincare light lightening of age spots, more 
exfoliating.
Additional massaging or anything else you need to do.

STEP #8
Push back the cuticles and do any removing of the cuticles if necessary. 

STEP #9
Cleanse the nails with a lint free pad and cleansing solution, such as Scrub 
Fresh or a soap and water combination. I used to use Matrix's Water Cure that 
I diluted with water in a squeeze bottle. Woodward's Dr.G's 6S is also good, 
however too concentrated for the skin and nails so be sure to dilute it as 
well. Do not use alcohol or acetone - this really dehydrates and leaves an 
oily film behind on the nail plate.

STEP #10 
Polish. One base coat and two coats of color with a topcoat is the norm. 
I always would have them dry their nails in my UV lamp which helps set the 
polish. 

TIP: I suggest that you have two types of natural nail care systems for your 
clients. One with formaldehyde and one without. Some clients need the extra 
help and some do not. Some may even react to the formaldehyde. Use a 
"system" of products that are made to work with each other for the best 
results. Interchanging a base coat and topcoat may not give you the results 
you want long term. So read your labels and understand the ingredients and 
the system of products you use. 

Another thing you need to pay attention to are the fast drying top coats made 
for acrylics like "Heat Coat". (You can tell the difference by the smell - 
they all smell similar to each other) These products can and may chip off 
natural nails immediately so do your homework on natural nail tops coats that 
are made specifically for natural nails. Drying in the UV lamp - no matter 
what products you use - can help. 

DISCLAIMER
Any products mentioned in the "Tip Of The Week by Vicki Peters" is not an 
endorsement of any kind.

The Peters Perspective 
"When you stop learning your career ends and your job begins"
Visit my new web site: http://vickipeters.com