Do you have to think twice before putting your hand forward? Well, a manicure can be the answer to your woes. |
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 ARE chipped nails or wrinkled hands a part of your grooming nightmares? Do you have to think twice before putting your hand forward? Well, a manicure can be the answer to your woes. It not only strengthens the nails but also makes your hands soft and radiant. You can get a manicure at home or get pampered at a salon. Here’s a crash course on the manicures that you can give yourself ! urmimala.banerjee@mid-day.com
|  FRENCH MANICURE
French manicure
The French manicure gives the nails a natural and healthy look. Marion Clocheau, aesthetician, Jean Claude Biguine Salon says, “This look is preferred by women working in conservative as well as informal sectors.”
Tip: Make sure that the white coat isn’t too thick, as it will spoil the show. How to do a French manicure:
1. Wash and soak your hands in warm water for five minutes. Apply lotion or Vaseline if the skin and cuticles are too dry and push back the cuticles
2. File your nails in a curved shape and make them even
3. Apply a coat of protective clear polish as base to prevent chipping
4. Apply two coats of bright white nail polish on the tips with one long stroke
5. Let the paint dry, and apply one coat of baby pink colour over the nail for a natural finish |  JAPANESE MANICURE
It’s impossible to get one at home, and very few salons offer the Japanese manicure. Besides the nail art, the only difference between a French and a Japanese manicure is that in the former, pearl powder is used to polish the nails. The crushed pearl powder used in the manicure revives the growth of skin cells. One can notice the effects after a first application, and the nails shine and look healthy. After the routine procedure of filing and cuticle cleaning, the hands are soaked in the bath with mineral substances. Special vegetable oils are also used for softening extra dry cuticles. The relaxing massage is applied with aroma additives from jasmine or other flowers.
Tip: Exquisite Japanese nail art can give you a party look |  ITALIAN MANICURE
This is one of the hottest trends for manicures. Easier than French manicures, they make the fingers look long and slender.
Tip: Experiment with bold colours on a white/transparent base How to do an Italian manicure:
1. File the nails, flattening the tips with a back and forth motion
2. File the sides, keeping them straight and squaring off the corners
3. Apply a layer of base coat on your nails and let it dry for five-ten minutes. Then, paint the nails with a light colour and let them dry
4. Take red nail polish and generously apply it on the paint wand (brush). See that it has plenty of paint but not so much that it drips
5. Paint a thin stripe, starting at the cuticle and moving upwards | PRECAUTIONS
Ruchi Kumar, vice-president, Sally Hansen India suggests a few tips to avoid manicure faux pass
» Don’t file your nails in the wrong direction, instead file from left corner to center for a few strokes, then from right corner to center
» Don’t neglect the cuticles. Put some rich cuticle oil on your cuticles after showering and before bed
» Always apply a base coat on your nails before layering with a darker polish. Or else the darker shades may turn yellowish
» Replace nail polish every 5 days to avoid dehydration
» Ensure that the cuticle pusher, nippers and scissors used by your manicurist are disinfected | | | | 
|  WE know that you use your right hand to do all the dirty work like cleaning the house, digging your nose, cutting veggies etc, but that doesn’t mean that you forego the right hand manicure. A lot of women have the gall to step out with their left hand beautifully groomed and the right looking like that belonging to a witch. Don’t think it’s a way to cut cost at the salon. Please stop playing favourites with your hands. Pick up the nail file and get started !
| | A CUTABOVE | 
Nalini & Natasha Naegamvalaa
These hair-stying experts run the Nalini Hair Academy at
Bandra | No more hair scares  If you’ve been spotting those precious strands on the pillow every morning, you have reason to worry. In the case of women, hair loss is usually due to hormonal problems, stress or diet related. Avoid crash and fad diets.
» The fastest way to hide thinning hair is with a curly perm. With a wavy pattern, individual hair strands push against each other, the end result is that they push outwards, making your hair look fuller.
» In case of colour, always choose a lighter hair colour. Shades that closely match your skin tone are the best since they blend with your scalp.
» It is advisable not to use heavy styling products as they will weigh down the hair and make it look flatter. Use a volatising product which will give your hair more volume and oomph.
» While getting your hair cut, go in for fringes at the front or short at the top with layers. If you are comfortable, keep the do short.
» Avoid blow-drying your hair. Wear a hat when you are in the sun. Avoid tight hats and caps; do not tie your hair up too tight either. Keep changing your parting. Use mild shampoos or nutrient enriched conditioners.
» Do not comb out wet hair. Gently towel-dry the hair after a wash and let it dry naturally. Using a wide tooth comb for thinning hair is recommended as it avoids breakage.
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