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Using manicure tools is crucial when performing a manicure, whether on yourself or others. Some tools may seem unfamiliar, and not everyone knows their proper usage. However, learning to utilize a cuticle pusher, cuticle nipper, nail clippers, and nail file correctly is essential. After using your manicure tools, always ensure to clean and disinfect them to prevent the spread of infection-causing bacteria.
Steps
Utilizing Cuticle Pushers and Nippers
Soften cuticles using cuticle remover or softener. Before employing a cuticle pusher or nippers, it's vital to apply a cuticle softener or remover. This facilitates easier cuticle pushing and excess skin removal with the nippers.
- Consider soaking nails in warm water with a few drops of hand soap for approximately five minutes.
- Subsequently, dry nails with a towel. Apply a drop of cuticle softener to each cuticle and gently massage it in.
Gently push back the cuticles. Use the rounded edge of your cuticle pusher to softly push back the cuticles on all nails.
- Ensure not to exert too much pressure while pushing back the cuticles. Gentle pressure is key.
- If the cuticles are stubborn, consider soaking the nails in warm water for a longer duration.
Scrape away dirt and debris with the pointed end of the cuticle pusher. On the opposite side, the cuticle pusher typically has a pointed end. Employ this end to remove any dirt or debris near the cuticles.
- Handle this tool with care. Avoid inserting it beneath the cuticle.
Remove excess skin using cuticle nippers. After pushing back and cleaning around the cuticles, check for any excess skin that might hinder nail painting. If present, utilize cuticle nippers to eliminate it.
- To use the nippers, open them and position them over the excess skin. Identify protruding or ragged skin.
- Next, gently squeeze the nippers to separate the skin from the cuticle. Avoid pulling the skin; this could cause bleeding.
- After releasing the nippers, the squeezed skin should detach easily or can be brushed away.
Nail Clipping and Filing
Trim nails using a straight-edged clipper. If the nails are longer than desired, start by using a straight-edged nail clipper to reduce their length. While this may result in square edges, it offers precision.
- Clip small sections of the nail at a time to avoid over-trimming.
Shape your nails with a file. Begin by using a nail file to smooth any rough edges on your nails. This process helps to eliminate ridges and refine the nail shape. When filing your nails, remember to:
- Opt for a fine nail file initially. Nail files come in various grits, akin to sandpaper. Choosing a high-grit file minimizes the risk of nail damage.
- File your nails in one direction, avoiding a back-and-forth sawing motion.
- Keep the file flat against the nail's edge to prevent thinning and weakening.
Buff nails for a polished look. Following filing, use a nail buffer to smooth the nail surface. This enhances nail texture and facilitates even nail polish application.
- Buff nails using gentle back-and-forth motions.
- Some buffers feature a shine edge for a natural glossy finish post-buffing.
- Buffing is beneficial for nail care, but avoid excessive buffing—limit to once per week.
Maintaining Manicure Tools
Discard non-reusable items. Certain items cannot be effectively cleaned, necessitating disposal after use. Examples include emery boards and wooden cuticle pushers.
- Dispose of items like wooden cuticle pushers, cotton balls and swabs, paper towels, and toe separators.
Keep your tools clean. Maintain hygiene by washing manicure tools with warm water and liquid detergent, such as dish soap. Employ a brush to remove debris from previous manicures, then rinse and dry the tools thoroughly.
- Ensure the brush used is clean and disinfected.
- Wash tools after each manicure session.
Sanitize your tools. After cleansing your instruments to remove debris, proceed to sanitize them. This typically involves immersing the tools in a disinfectant solution. When sanitizing your tools, remember that:
- Mere spraying isn't sufficient. It's crucial to fully submerge the tools in disinfectant.
- Ultraviolet cabinets are not a substitute for disinfectant. While they can be used for storage, proper cleaning and disinfection are prerequisites.
- Prepare fresh disinfectant daily; it's not reusable from one day to the next.
