You don’t always need to resort to semi-permanent or artificial nails to achieve a perfect manicure or pedicure! To keep your hands and feet looking their best, all you need is proper care and the attention they deserve. Oil baths, regular filing, borage oil, or yeast? We’ll reveal all our secrets for a 100% natural manicure and pedicure that’s always a success, even at home!
What is a manicure?
A manicure is a cosmetic treatment designed to beautify the nails and hands. It involves several steps, from cleaning the nails to filing them, caring for the cuticles, and even applying nail polish. This beauty ritual aims to keep nails healthy while making them aesthetically pleasing.
What is a pedicure?
A pedicure, on the other hand, focuses on the feet and toenails. It often includes soaking the feet, exfoliating, caring for the cuticles, and shaping the nails.
What are the benefits of a manicure and pedicure?
We tend to forget, but our feet and hands are essential to our daily lives. Pain in the fingertips or calloused, painful heels can become debilitating and slow down our movements. In addition to being a cosmetic procedure, manicures and pedicures have many benefits:
Improve nail health
Regular manicures and pedicures help maintain healthy nails. Regular care prevents:
- Infections: Cleaning nails and removing dead cuticles reduces the risk of fungal and bacterial infections.
- Brittle nails: Applying nourishing oils and filing them helps strengthen nails, making them less likely to break or split.
- Ingrown Toenails: Regular pedicures, with proper trimming and filing, can prevent the formation of ingrown toenails, which can be very painful.
Relaxation and a sense of well-being
Manicure and pedicure sessions are truly relaxing experiences. They allow for:
- Stress reduction: Taking time for yourself and indulging in a moment of well-being can be very relaxing.
- Emotional well-being: Hand and foot massages, often included in treatments, stimulate the release of endorphins, the feel-good hormones. These moments of relaxation help the body relax.
Prevention of skin problems
Regular hand and foot care helps maintain healthy skin:
- Removal of dead skin cells: Regular exfoliation removes dead skin cells, reduces calluses and rough skin that can make walking uncomfortable and age/dull the hands.
- Hydration: Using deluxe 4 pedicure kits and oils during pedicures helps keep skin soft and supple.
Our care routine for naturally beautiful short nails
If you don’t feel like wearing nail polish, but still want beautiful nails, here are the steps to follow for perfect nails:
1. Exfoliation: Exfoliation is essential for maintaining healthy nails and skin. By removing dead cells, you promote cell regeneration, while improving skin texture and preparing your nails to better absorb moisturizing and nourishing products.
2. Cuticle treatment: Cuticles should be gently pushed back to avoid damaging the skin and nails. Use natural products to soften them, such as jojoba oil, then soak your fingers in a chamomile bath for a soothing and hydrating treatment.
3. Filing and buffing: After moisturizing and conditioning your nails, use an glass or crystal file to shape them as desired. Next, use a buffing block to smooth the surface of your nails and give them a shiny appearance without the need for polish.
4. Hydration: Apply a final layer of moisturizer or oil to seal in moisture and nourish your nails and the surrounding skin. Massage well to promote product absorption and stimulate blood circulation.
Do a pedicure yourself
A pedicure can be a necessity if your feet are tired or damaged, but ideally, it should also be a pleasure! Before taking care of your feet, start with a nice foot bath in a basin of warm water, accompanied by a suitable bath oil or essential oil. You can also use a handful of baking soda, known to calm itching and redness, or even soften dry skin. The idea is to soothe your feet, but also to soften the skin in preparation for the care to follow: you can then remove dead skin with a pumice stone, or tackle the harder calluses with a foot file. These actions are much more effective on tender, slightly damp feet than on dry ones. You can then exfoliate and apply a moisturizer. Finally, don’t forget to trim your nails, always avoiding cutting them at an angle to reduce the risk of ingrown toenails. If you wish, you can also file and polish them, and push back the cuticles if they are too visible. You can finish the treatment with nail polish in the color of your choice!
Read also: How to achieve a perfect French manicure?
