Proper Way to Hold Manicure Implements

Steel file hold the file firmly in the right hand, with the thumb underneath it for support and
the other four fingers on its upper surface.
Emery board it is held in the same manner as the steel file.
Orangewood stick it is held in the same manner as in writing with a pencil.
Steel pusher it is held in the same manner as in writing with a pencil. The dull spade side is
used to push back and loosen the cuticle.

Nippers pick up the nippers by the handles and turn the cutting edges towards you; place
the bent tip of the shank. Place the thumb on the side of the handle and the remaining fingers
over the opposite side handle.

Proper Way to Hold Manicure Implements

Steel file hold the file firmly in the right hand, with the thumb underneath it for support and
the other four fingers on its upper surface.
Emery board it is held in the same manner as the steel file.
Orangewood stick it is held in the same manner as in writing with a pencil.
Steel pusher it is held in the same manner as in writing with a pencil. The dull spade side is
used to push back and loosen the cuticle.
Nippers pick up the nippers by the handles and turn the cutting edges towards you; place
the bent tip of the shank. Place the thumb on the side of the handle and the remaining fingers
over the opposite side handle.

Cosmetics
Nail and hand cosmetics vary in their composition and usage according to the purpose they
serve.
Nail cleansers consist of some form of soap, flaked, beaded or caked.
Nail polish removers contain organic solvents and are used to dissolve the old polish present
on the nails. To offset the drying action of the solvent, oil may be present in the nail polish
remover.
Cuticle oil softens and lubricates the skin around the nails.
Cuticle creams are mixtures of fats and waxes (lanolin, cocoa butter, bees-wax, etc.) which
are intended to prevent or correct brittle nails and dry cuticle.
Cuticle removers or solvents may contain 2-5% of sodium or potassium hydroxide plus
glycerine. After the cuticle is softened with this liquid, it can be easily removed.

Nail bleaches contain hydrogen peroxide or diluted organic acids in a liquid form or mixed
with other ingredients to form a white paste. When applied over nails, under the free-edge and
on fingertips, stains are removed.
Abrasive is available as a pumice powder, and is used to smooth irregular nail ridges.
Nail whiteners are applied as a paste, cream or coated string. They consist mainly of white
pigments (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide). When applied under the free-edge of the nail, they
keep the tips looking white.
Dry nail polish is usually prepared in the form of powder or paste. The main ingredient is a
mild abrasive, such as tin oxide talc, silica or kaolin. It smoothes the nail and also imparts a
sheen to the nail during buffing.
Liquid nail polish or lacquer is used to color or gloss the nail. It is a solution of nitro
cellulose in such volatile solvents as amyl acetate, together with a plasticizer (castor oil), which
prevents too rapid drying. Also present is a resin and color.
Nail polish solvent containing acetone or other solvent is used to thin out the nail polish
when it has thickened.
A base coat is a liquid product applied before the liquid nail polish. With this application, the
nail polish adheres readily to the nail surface. It also forms a hard gloss which prevents the
color in the nail polish from staining the nail tissue.
A top coat or sealer is a liquid applied over the nail polish. This product protects the polish
and minimizes chipping or cracking of the colored polish. Some manufacturers combine a base
coat and a top coat or sealer in a one-bottle product.
Nail strengtheners are products designed to prevent the nails from splitting or peeling.
These are applied to the tips of the nails only. They are never applied over polish. The nails
must be thoroughly clean, free of oils or creams, and dry. The application is used before the
base coat is applied. The product usually contains formaldehyde. Cuticle shields are used
during the application to prevent the product from touching the skin or cuticle.
A nail drier is a fine spray which protects the nail polish against stickiness and dulling and
can be used either as a spray over the top coat or directly on the nail polish.
Hand creams and lotions keep the skin soft by replacing the natural oils lost from the skin.
They are recommended for overcoming a dry, chapped or irritated condition of the skin.

Hand creams are similar in composition to vanishing creams. Other ingredients which may
be present are glycerine, cocoa butter, lecithin, or gums.
Hand lotions are dilute emulsions of stearic acid and water to which may be added mucilage
of quince seed, gum lanolin or glycerine.