There’s a reason why mani/pedis turn out so much better at the salon than they do at home. Today’s nail technicians and esthetics institute graduates use top-grade products and methods to ensure each client gets the star treatment they deserve when they come in for a manicure or pedicure.Mani/pedis have steadily grown in popularity and accessibility in recent years, with trends like nail art and red carpet ‘Mani Cams’ showcasing what professionals in the beauty industry can do. Even with gel nail and acrylic options aside, the natural nail itself has become a canvas for creativity and individuality—with custom polished nails an important aspect of many modern high-fashion campaigns.At a top beauty school like IBI, you’ll learn tried-and-trusted techniques for giving clients the level of esthetic excellence the industry is known for. Whether a client prefers a simple, classic nail treatment or more elaborate, dramatic nail art, you’ll have the skills you need to produce groomed, polished, and professional results every time.To get you started on the right foot, take a look at our infographic on the basics of a salon-standard mani/pedi:
A Beauty Student’s Guide to Creating the Perfect Mani/Pedi
5 Steps to Mastering the Classic Manicure
1. Cuticle Care
- Apply cuticle softener
- Soak client’s hands in warm, sterile water
- Use a cuticle pusher to gently push back the skin at the base of each nail bed
2. Trim and Shape
- Use clippers or nail scissors to trim nails to desired length & shape
- Smooth out tips with a nail file (gentle, one-way strokes, never a ‘sawing’ action)
- Buff the surface of each nail
3. Polish
- First apply a base coat
- Apply two thin layers of polish (client’s choice!)
- Finish with a high-shine top coat
4. Dry and Tidy Up
- Remove excess lacquer around nail edges with a fine brush dipped in polish remover
- Dry client’s nails under a nail dryer or LED/UV nail lamp
5. Moisturize
- Massage lotion into tops and bottoms of the client’s hands, as well as into each cuticle
- Potentially useful extra stats:
- Manicures and pedicures make up 56% of the revenue at an average full-service salon.
- The average cost of a manicure in 2015 was $20.20
- The average cost of a pedicure in 2015 was $32.25
The 5 ‘S’ Steps of a Perfect Pedicure
1. Soak
- immerse client’s feet in sterile, warm water to soften the soles
- add a reviving foot soak to strengthen nails, or calming scented spa salts
2. Scrub
- Exfoliate the skin from the bottoms of the feet to the ankles
- Rinse off the exfoliator and dead cells, and towel-dry
3. Spot-Treat Target Areas
- Pumice heels, sole, and balls of the feet
- Gently push back cuticles & apply cuticle cream
- Buff the surface of each nail
4. Soothe & Moisturize
- Apply a foot lotion or moisturizer to seal in softness
- Firmly massage it into the feet and lower legs
- Ensure nails are wiped dry and clean
5. Splash on Some Colour!
- Paint on a base coat
- Apply two layers of polish
- Finish with a topcoat