American Manicure

A nail salon performs an American manicure by following a series of steps to clean, shape, and polish the natural nails with a natural-looking base color and softer, more subtle white tips. Here’s a typical process for an American manicure at a nail salon:

Sanitize hands: The nail technician and the client will sanitize their hands before the manicure begins.
Remove old nail polish: The technician will remove any existing nail polish from the client’s nails using nail polish remover and a cotton pad or lint-free wipe.
Shape nails: Using a nail file, the technician will shape the client’s nails according to their desired length and shape (e.g., square, round, almond, or oval).
Soak hands: The client’s hands may be soaked in warm, soapy water for a few minutes to soften the cuticles and relax the hands.
Cuticle care: The technician will gently push back the client’s cuticles using a cuticle pusher and trim any excess cuticle skin with a cuticle nipper, if necessary.
Exfoliation (optional): Some salons may offer a gentle hand scrub to exfoliate and remove dead skin cells from the client’s hands.
Moisturize: The technician will apply hand lotion or cream to the client’s hands and massage them to improve circulation and provide relaxation.
Prepare nails for polish: The technician will clean the nail surface with nail cleanser or rubbing alcohol to remove any oils and residue, ensuring better polish adhesion.
Apply base coat: A thin layer of base coat will be applied to the client’s nails to protect the natural nails and promote even polish application.
Apply nude or sheer pink polish: The technician will apply a natural-looking base color (usually a nude or sheer pink polish) in thin, even layers, allowing each coat to dry before applying the next.
Create off-white or soft white tips: The technician will use either French manicure stickers, hole reinforcement stickers, or nail art tape to create a guide for the tips. They will then apply off-white or soft white polish to the tips of the nails, following the guide to create clean, even lines.
Remove the guide: Once the softer white tips are dry, the technician will carefully remove the guide, revealing the finished American manicure design.
Apply top coat: A top coat will be applied to seal and protect the nail polish, providing a glossy finish and prolonging wear time.
Dry nails: The client’s nails may be dried using a nail dryer or a fan, or they may be allowed to air dry.
Cuticle oil: The technician will apply cuticle oil to the client’s cuticles to nourish and moisturize them.

After completing these steps, the client will leave the salon with a natural and subtle American manicure. The specific process may vary slightly depending on the salon and the client’s preferences.

Tools needed for am American Manicure

An American manicure is a variation of the classic French manicure, featuring a more natural look with softer and subtler colors. The following tools and materials are needed to perform an American manicure:

Nail file and buffer: To shape and smooth the natural nails.
Cuticle pusher and nipper: To gently push back and trim the cuticles.
Nail cleanser or rubbing alcohol: To remove oils and residue from the nail surface.
Base coat: To protect the natural nails and ensure better polish adhesion.
Nude or sheer pink nail polish: To provide a natural-looking base color for the nails.
Off-white or soft white nail polish: For the subtle, natural-looking tips.
Small paintbrush or nail art brush: To help create precise and even lines for the tips.
French manicure stickers, hole reinforcement stickers, or nail art tape: To create a guide for the tips, ensuring clean and even lines.
Top coat: To seal and protect the nail polish, providing a glossy finish and prolonging wear time.
Cotton swabs or a small brush dipped in nail polish remover: To clean up any polish mistakes around the edges.
Nail dryer or a fan (optional): To speed up the drying process.