Manicure without manicure. What to do if you can’t wear nail polish to work? 6 options for solving the problem.

Regular nails without manicure

You can see it on many film stars, women politicians, and public figures. In the royal dynasty it is forbidden to apply gel polish or gel on nails. This is considered bad taste, bad manners. So why do we chase pictures from glossy magazines and mercilessly degrade our natural beauty? There are several reasons:

1. Hide imperfections (separation of the nail plate, bumps, fungus, etc.)
2. There is no need to take care of your nails under gel polish. I went to the salon once every 3-4 weeks and forgot
3. You feel more confident when meeting new people
4. Everyone does gel polish. And if you are without it, then people will think that you have no money or desire to take care of yourself
5. Habit. When you wear shellac for several months or years, it’s hard to imagine yourself without it.

Why is nail polish so popular among women?

The first nail polishes (according to Wikipedia) were created by American entrepreneur Charles Revson in 1934. He was the owner of a cosmetics company.

Nail polishes gained worldwide popularity when Chanel announced and released its famous tubes in 1995 (the appearance of the polishes has remained almost unchanged since then).

That is, just some 25 years ago. On the scale of the Universe, this period is negligibly short for the fair half of humanity to have time to “play enough” and put on makeup.

The varnish had to be applied and washed off constantly; it took a long time to dry. Which caused some inconvenience - an hour of effort and only two or three days of beauty.

Therefore, about five years ago, the first shellacs and gel polishes appeared - the so-called resin, which lasts a long time on the nails and hardens under ultraviolet light (in a special lamp). Everything is fine, but my nails are growing. And you have to do a manicure every 2-3 weeks.

After the boom in manicures with gel polish, many began to come to the conclusion that even without it, nails look beautiful and aesthetically pleasing, if you simply cover them with colorless varnish. In this case, you do not need to go to the salon, spend money and several hours of time.

The rethink came during the period of self-isolation (the recent coronavirus pandemic). When beauty salons were forced to close. Many didn't even have a nail file at home. Despite the fact that the gel polish began to peel off and come off. The nails were growing. Then many women decided to abandon this procedure altogether. But there were also those who waited longer for the opening of salons than for the opening of international borders.

Manicure is a habit. If you have been doing it for a long time, you can no longer imagine your life without going to a master. But like any habit, it can be changed.

Think about it.

Do you really like your feet under a layer of synthetic material?

Does trim manicure give you pleasure? Or are you doing this procedure for the sake of public opinion?

In fact, the cuticle does not grow so quickly and intensively. If you don’t cut it off at all, then you won’t even notice that it exists.

However, you don’t have to give up gel polish forever. There are special events (wedding, birthday, etc.), vacations, hot summer months, when you can go to the salon and have this procedure done. If you really want it. And not if you think that “bare” nails on your hands and feet are ugly. And remove it after a few weeks, allowing the plate to breathe out.

With bare hands: why now everyone is refusing gel polish

Why there is now a new round of fashion for bare nails, we discuss with experts from Kiev nail studios

After quarantine, the Vogue editorial staff was divided into two halves: some rejoiced at the newfound freedom from making an appointment for a manicure and sitting in a chair for an hour, others rejoiced at the fact that salons were working again, and they could finally return to their usual coatings. Culture editor Daria Slobodyanik wears exclusively long almond-shaped nails with a bright finish - she says she really likes it. Brand manager Ksenia Shagova prefers short nails and creamy finishes in rich shades, from black to berry.

Marc Fast

“I only go for a hygienic manicure,” says the site’s editor-in-chief, Violetta Fedorova. – I do a trim manicure, I don’t use any coating. And I feel great." Beauty editor Alena Ponomarenko agrees with her. “I gave up coverings after a session with the star artist from the Bastien Gonzalez studio in Mauritius,” she says. – I was so amazed by the appearance of “naked” nails that at first I couldn’t get used to it. But I quickly appreciated the advantages of this solution: I don’t have to constantly find time to record. And the procedure of removing gel polish with a device was stressful for me every time.”

Victoria Kolodiy, founder and creative director of the MVK network, says that gel polish coating today is no longer a tribute to fashion. “The vector of global trends is shifting towards ultra-natural nails. In other words – nude nails, virgin manicure. This is the trend that beauty teams resort to when accompanying the shows of world-famous brands at Fashion Weeks. Among them are Chanel, Vera Wang. Star manicurist from the USA Tom Bachik, whose muses are Jennifer Lopez, Selena Gomez, Heidi Klum, also emphasizes: naturalness is in trend.”

Victoria believes that naturalness is with us for a long time. “This was dictated, among other things, by the challenge the world faced in 2020 - the pandemic, when beauty salons were urgently closed. It’s easier for women to care for bare nails at home,” she explains.

CPG Center specialist Victoria Pratsevitaya agrees with her. “After last year’s quarantine, the demand for gel polish coatings really decreased,” she says. Removing gel polish at home was not so easy. Not only files and orange wood sticks were used, but also all available means. It seems that everyone who has remained locked up with a stubborn manicure has at some point been guilty of nail abuse.

“When the quarantine ended, most of the nails were in poor condition, because during quarantine, something was cut off, something grew back on its own, something was chewed off.” Yes, we know, even reading this is creepy. But let someone who has never tried to “make changes” to a salon manicure during quarantine write to the editor: we want to know these people with iron self-control personally.

“Many craftsmen,” says Victoria Kolodiy, “have an illiterate approach to gel polish coatings, use materials incorrectly and ignore technology. For example, a very thick layer of gel polish is applied. This type of coating is extremely difficult to remove on your own at home – and many have felt this since the beginning of quarantine. In addition, the illiteracy of the masters leads to unpleasant consequences - various types of fungal diseases, onycholysis, thinning of the nail plate.”

You can read how to restore your nails after gel polish by following the link.

“We in the studio and I personally like the trend of accepting yourself and your body in its original form,” says Ira Popova, founder of the 365STUDIO network. “We love naked nails with a hygienic manicure and a healthy nail plate, it’s very sexy.”

At 365STUDIO, after removing gel polish, the masters always offer care and treatment, and the demand for such procedures is constantly growing. “We are always looking for products that support healthy nails,” says Ira, “and we are glad that our guests like the new procedures so much. But even the most safe and gentle coatings that are used in our salons require a break. “We don’t recommend wearing them for a long time,” says the expert, “and we recommend that you give your nails a rest after removing them.”

Natural beauty of nails

Nature has designed us to be amazing and beautiful by definition. Despite the difference in nail shapes and their characteristics, they are ideal for every woman (if they are healthy). By varnishing, we hide the natural beauty under a layer of synthetic film.

When you remove gel polish, it seems that the nail plate is flimsy, dull, lifeless. And the first desire is to quickly cover it again so as not to see it.

But just a few weeks after removing the gel polish, you will see your nails recovering, becoming pink and shiny again.

If there are any problems:

• Nail fungus
• Dehiscence of the nail plate
• Fragility
• Stains

All this can be treated even at home. Cuticle oil perfectly restores the skin and improves growth. Yes, you will have to file or cut the ends yourself, but this is basic self-care. The same as brushing your teeth or washing your face. Remember, in childhood there was a ritual: clean your ears, cut your nails, etc.

Having grown up, we simply transferred the care of our appearance to other people - beauty salon masters. Of course, it’s worth going to a cosmetologist, dentist and other specialists if you have problems.

But if they are not there, then it is better to return to your natural self - you will become more confident.

The same applies to natural hair color, face without injections, eyelash extensions, etc.

Only at first glance it seems that this is beauty. In fact, educated people, the intelligentsia, consider this manifestation of “self-care” to be vulgar.

There's nothing better than what you're born with.

This does not mean that you can leave yourself alone, not cut the ends of your hair, grow your toenails, not pluck your eyebrows, not shave your legs, etc. Balance is important. At first glance, a woman with undyed hair, eyelashes and no manicure may seem strange. But take a closer look at well-groomed women without these attributes. Can you really call them slobs?

It’s just that their self-care is not noticeable, which is why it is more significant.

Maintaining natural beauty is sometimes even harder than putting your body in the hands of beauty salon specialists. But this is not about what is simpler (cheaper) / more complex (more expensive). And about what sincerely suits you best.

Photo of nails without manicure

Benefits and recommendations

A manicure without coating (the price of which depends on the type chosen) is attractive because it saves time. The average time for performing a hygienic manicure is no more than 30 minutes, and methods with coating or modeling take at least an hour. Each of the previously listed types of manicure without the use of artificial materials has its pros and cons. Its selection depends on the individual characteristics of the nails, their condition, skin type, and the desired result.

A brief description of the types of procedures, techniques for performing them, and features are presented in the table:

European and file manicures are the most gentle and atraumatic. Performed without cutting instruments that require sterilization. They are suitable for thin, slow-growing cuticles and the absence of hyperkeratosis. To perform this you will need a minimum set of tools. The main disadvantage is the short wearing period of the manicure.

Manicure using the device is deeper, more durable and suitable for all skin types. However, in addition to the large list of necessary equipment and tools, it will require a lot of development and practice.

Otherwise, you can injure your skin and nails. This can lead to thinning, deformation and other irreversible consequences. The middle link is the classic edged manicure. It requires minimal skills in using manicure tools and can be done at home. Manicure wear period is 10–15 days. The main disadvantage is the need to use soaking. Frequent exposure to water is not suitable for weak and thin nails.

Natural manicure: fashion

All transparent varnishes (not gel varnishes) are perfect for the trend of 2020 - 2021 and beyond. It's safe to say that in the near future the number of women covering their nails with shellac will decrease.

At the same time, it is not necessary to deny yourself the pleasure of going to a beauty salon. You can do a hand massage and caring procedures. Manicure: preferably without torture. That is, ask the master to carefully push back the cuticle with an orange stick, after making a bath with aromatic oils, and gently work with a nail file. So that the process itself evokes positive emotions, and not pain or discomfort.

Wealthy women who know their worth pamper themselves with beauty treatments and cover their nails with clear varnish or a barely noticeable shade so that the natural color of the nail plate is visible.

The average Russian girl, coming to the salon, wants everything at once and so that it is brighter, more noticeable, shiny. Therefore, red nail polish is still the most popular color, as well as manicures with rhinestones, beads, feathers, etc. It seems to us that since we are spending money and time on this, let it be noticeable (everyone can see!) that I got a manicure.

Long nails without manicure

They look pretty strange now. It's like long hair with 20-centimeter split ends. There is length, but there is no beauty in it.

In addition, long uncoated nails are prone to breakage and delamination. Dirt and dust get under such nails. And even if they are externally clean, every time you wash your hands you need to wash your nails and under them.

Short nails without manicure

A classic as it is. 1-3 millimeters is the ideal length for well-groomed feminine nails. There are several nail shapes:

1. Oval
2. Soft square
3. Clear square
4. Almond-shaped
5. Stiletto (pointed tips)
6. Trapezoid

The last type is the most capricious in terms of care. The nail plate seems to widen towards the top, the nail appears rectangular. With this form, girls usually file the nail down to the root, not leaving even a few millimeters.

How to cut your nails correctly

Experts advise cutting your nails according to the shape they grow in: oval or straight. This is a genetic predisposition; you cannot change the shape of your nail. That is why gel nail extensions were so popular at one time: short ones could be made long. From square - oval, etc.

With a natural manicure, nails are filed according to the shape of their growth.

The safest and most gentle way is with a soft nail file. When cutting with scissors or tongs, the nail may peel off or be cut unevenly.

Average nail growth is 1 millimeter per week. Although for some the same length grows in two to three weeks, and for others in just three days. Everything is very individual. To grow nails, take vitamins and eat calcium-containing foods.

Determine your ideal length. For example, 3 mm. In this case, you will need to do a manicure approximately once every three to four weeks, filing away the extra millimeter.

I didn't even realize that I have nails

So I’m wondering: how did it happen that now every self-respecting woman is obliged to go for a manicure? I don’t know the answer to this question, but I’ll ask it anyway - let it hang in the air as a silent reproach, as evidence that there is always something new that we must do, although a million hours are already spent on self-care.

For the first forty-five years of my life, I didn’t even think about the fact that I had nails. Very rarely did I file them with my shabby file, paint them with varnish and go out into the world. This process took me about three minutes twice a year. (I'm kidding, of course. But not much more.)

I knew that somewhere out there there were women who regularly got their nails done, but in my mind they were slackers with nothing better to do. Or they are deeply mistaken in thinking that painted nails are beautiful. And they certainly never sit down at a typewriter - the sworn enemy of long nails.

But one day, literally overnight, billions of nail bars sprang up in Manhattan. All of a sudden there were more of them than liquor stores, post offices, opticians, dry cleaners and key cutting shops - and if you lived in Manhattan, you know that there is a lot of this stuff here. It even seemed to me that there were more nail salons than nail salons.

They were staffed by young Korean women who knew how to do manicures quickly and well and did not take up valuable time from their clients, pretending that they were at all interested in them. Their services were incredibly cheap - eight to ten dollars.

Soon everyone started doing manicures. If you didn't have your nails done (just clean nails don't count), you felt unkempt. You felt ashamed and wanted to sit on your hands. And then from somewhere a rule arose that you need to go for a manicure once a week.

And this inevitably brings me to thoughts about pedicures. The good thing about pedicure is that for most of the year, and to be precise - from September to May, no one except your family knows whether you have it or not. Another undoubted advantage over manicure is that when you get a pedicure, your hands are free and you can easily read and even talk on the phone. And finally, it makes your legs really look wonderful.

Still from the film Sleepless in Seattle, directed by Nora Ephron

But pedicure also has a big drawback - it takes a lot of time, and even when everything is over, you still have to wait until the nails dry. And they take almost as long to dry as the pedicure itself took. And so you sit and sit for an eternity and finally you can’t stand it and very carefully put on your sandals. And on the way home, naturally, you peel off the polish on your thumb, and since people look at the thumb first, the whole pedicure is down the drain.

Very short nails without manicure

Characteristic of women of such professions as:

• Doctors, dentists, medical personnel
• Musicians playing instruments
• Massage therapists

And a number of others. In some cases, this rule is related to hygiene (germs accumulate under the nails), in others - aesthetics and convenience. Tapping the piano keys with long nails is bad manners. Long nails in medical gloves too.

Very short nails are popularly called “under the root.” This is also beautiful if there are no hangnails, calluses, etc. on your fingers.

Manicure for short nails without varnish

It comes down to caring for the cuticle, removing burrs, filing with a soft pouf for a natural shine to the entire surface of the nail.

There are varnishes that do not leave a mark. That is, it is not visually visible that it is applied. These are caring cosmetics for strengthening and restoration. Men often use it so as not to attract attention to their nails, but at the same time look well-groomed.

Manicure without varnish also has its place. This is a procedure that is not striking, but makes your image perfect.

Features of manicure without varnish

In order to have beautiful, well-groomed nails and not hide them under a layer of varnish, you need to follow a few basic tips:

1. More protein means stronger nails. Protein is the main building material of our body, so it is simply necessary for the growth and strengthening of nails.
2. Whiten your nails. To do this, you just need to hold them briefly in lemon juice and rub them a little, for example with an old toothbrush. Lemon is an excellent nail whitener.
3. The ideal shape for nails without polish is oval or round. In this case, they will not cling to anything, and burrs will not appear on them.
4. The shorter, the stronger. Long nails are more likely to break. Some women are not very comfortable with them, so the ideal manicure without varnish is a manicure for short nails.
5. Avoid contact with water. Uncoated nails are more susceptible to external factors. Water makes them soft and brittle.
6. Use oils to strengthen and care for your nails. For example, a bath of olive oil will saturate your nails with all the necessary vitamins and microelements.
7. Use gentle manicure products. For example, when sanding, try to use the softest file so as not to damage the nail plate.

Don't miss: Manicure with stickers - quick and easy! (51 photos)

By following these simple rules, your nails, even without varnish, will always make you happy, look well-groomed, healthy and beautiful.

Beautiful nails without manicure

These are healthy nails. No stains, fungus, thickening, etc.

The manicure procedure itself is not about applying varnish, but about caring for the nail plate and cuticle.

In this case, nails can be varnished without manicure. If it's transparent. Beautiful, for any look and for any event. This can be done at home (if desired) in just 10 minutes.

Women's nails without manicure are beautiful in themselves. Such a girl does not need to prove her beauty or express herself through the color of her nail polish. She is self-sufficient. And this state is read by others at the energy level.

Of course, it’s not enough to walk around with beautiful nails without a manicure and consider yourself a goddess. The internal state is important here. And, if you have not yet come to full acceptance of yourself, then external attributes in the form of a manicure or bright varnish can be useful for greater confidence. Everything here is individual.

Essentially: the more complex and brighter the manicure, the less self-confident the girl is. This is not a rule or an axiom, but such a trend can still be traced. Note that teenage girls, as soon as they are allowed to apply nail polish, choose the most garish colors. And an older woman (or on the path of conscious self-development - the number of years lived will not matter here) prefers pastel colors or even goes without nail polish. This is not modesty, not embarrassment, but self-sufficiency - such a woman does not need to compete, stand out or declare herself. She paints her nails for herself to have fun. And if he wants.

Nail coatings: powder, acrygel and other replacements for gel polish

Now in every salon you can get a manicure with gel polish.

What other options are there? We dealt with Ksenia Nikolaeva, a manicurist at the Special Opinion salon.

Ksenia Nikolaeva

What types of nail coatings are there besides gel polish?

Photo: @nikki_makeup
There was a time when a manicure meant one thing: simple polish, secured with a shiny top coat. Today, manicurists are surprised when a client asks for just a manicure without coating.

Long gone are the days of the simple manicure, which is of course still possible, but now you can also try powder, acrylic, gel and many other finishes for your nails.

Vinylux coating 

This is a polish created by CND (a brand of Creative Nail Design polishes) that has a self-adhesive color coating that provides long-lasting wear, can be removed with nail polish remover, and lasts up to a week without chipping. This is a hypoallergenic varnish, which is ideal for those who do not like long-lasting coatings like gel, are worried about the condition of their nails and want to change the color of their manicure more often.

Photo: @feduasalons

Soft and hard nail gels

The main difference between the two products has to do with how they are removed. Soft gel nails are known as "absorbent gels" because the nail polish can be removed with acetone. Hard gel is used to increase the length of nails as opposed to soft gel which is only used as a polish. Gel nails are also best for nail art.

Photo: Instagram / @ma.and.mi

Gel powder

Gel powder is a material that was made to strengthen and extend nails and is also used as an alternative to gel polish.

A manicure with this coating is done as follows:

1. Thick gel glue is applied to the nails.
2. Then you dip your fingers into a very fine gel powder.
3. After this coating is done 2-3 times.
4. Then several layers of gel powder are applied, which harden and dry thanks to a liquid activator.

Gel powder is very easy to apply at home and does not require special skills. Thanks to the non-porous material, nails are less sensitive to external influences. Gel powder can be removed with nail polish remover, lasts up to two weeks, does not fade or turn yellow during this time.

Photo: @moskvichkabbb

Acrigel

A combined system of gel and acrylic with the best properties of these components. Very high viscosity, does not spread and is easy to work with. It cuts well, is more stable than gels and more flexible than acrylic. It is pressed and suitable for any length and shape of the nail plate, is stable in storage, does not change its properties during long-term storage up to 50 degrees.

Acrigel does not have a strong chemical odor, therefore it is harmless for allergy sufferers and asthmatics, as well as for pregnant and lactating women.

In addition, acrygel, unlike regular gel, protects the nail and strengthens it, preventing it from breaking and peeling.

Eco-varnishes Fedua

Fedua does not use harmful substances in its varnishes (toluene, formaldehyde, camphor, formaldehyde resins and dibutyl phthalates), and, in fact, are herbal products that are absolutely safe for your nails.

Photo: Instagram / @feduarussia

Photo: Instagram / @feduarussia

The varnishes have an ideal semi-gel consistency, thanks to which they apply smoothly, even if you apply one layer, and the coating is durable and shiny - so forget about cracks and chips. Your manicure will be in perfect condition for up to four weeks. At Fedua you can also find a nourishing base with algae extracts and minerals that disguises minor unevenness and is ideal for protecting the nail plate.

What safe nail coatings are there?

Photo: @ma.and.mi
Traditional nail polish has gotten a bad reputation, largely due to its chemical ingredients and strong odor. Besides irritating your senses with a pungent odor, nail polishes contain solvents and some ingredients that can potentially cause health problems and irritation if inhaled in large quantities. Nowadays, manufacturers are doing everything possible to use safe materials for production.

What new types of varnishes are used for manicure now? How to replace gel if the nail plate is too thin?

Photo: @hungvanngo
One way to strengthen the nail plate is to use acrylic powder. It saves brittle and overly soft nails. Porous in structure, it will protect thin nails from mechanical damage, frost, ultraviolet radiation and aggressive household chemicals. To strengthen the nail plate, transparent or nude acrylic powder is most often used.

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