Nail Art, Polish, and Specialty Services
Polish fundamentals
Polish application is a sequence: base coat (adhesion and protection), two thin color coats, top coat (gloss and seal). Allow each coat to dry; thick coats wrinkle and peel. The polish line should follow the nail's natural curve, leaving a hairline margin at the cuticle and sidewalls. Quick-dry drops or spray speed drying without changing the chemistry.
Nail art and specialty
Nail art includes hand-painted design, stamping, foils, decals, rhinestones, and airbrush. Sanitation applies here too: brushes, dotting tools, and stones must not be shared without cleaning, and porous items are single-use. Specialty services include paraffin treatments (temperature-test first; contraindicated over broken or inflamed skin), hot oil manicures, and French manicures (the smile line should follow the natural free edge).
Traps
- "Top coat first" - no; base coat is first.
- Nail art tools are not exempt from disinfection.
- Paraffin over cuts and rashes is contraindicated.
- Airbrush equipment needs cleaning between clients.
Rule of thumb
"Base, two thin colors, top." If a client's polish chips within a day, suspect skipped base coat or a thick coat, not the brand alone.