Manicure

Also known as: Hand Treatments, Hand Massage.

Keep those cuticles cute. They say that nothing gives away your age like your hands, so it’s a good idea to make sure they’re looking as pampered and perfect as they can be. With shapely nails and soft skin, your hands will be irresistably hold-able.

How does it work?

A manicure can take anything from 10 to 45 minutes. A longer manicure will normally involve a deep-moisturising mask and a hand massage.

Your manicurist will file your nails using emery boards or a sponge file to wear the ends to a smooth shape. If your cuticles are getting a bit wayward, you might have them pushed back with a special tool and snipped off – this neatens them up and gives you the appearance of longer nails.

If you are keeping your nails natural (a more popular look for the guys) then a very slightly abrasive buffer will be used to polish your nails. Alternatively, for a more “manicured” look, you might choose to have varnish applied. This can be anything from a simple lick of colour to more intricate nail art with individual designs or diamante gems on each nail. Having a “French manicure” may sound a bit racy, but it basically means painting your nails pink with white tips to look clean and healthy.

There are some types of nail varnish and base coats that help to nourish your nails. If your nails need a good feeding, for example if they chip or flake a lot, your manicurist may be able to apply a coat of something vitamin-enriched and conditioning.