The art of how to do anything is a skill; everyone has different skills. Whether it is to bake, cook or a manual labor skill it still such as fixing cars is an accomplishment. For instance giving a proper manicure as a licensed Cosmetologist would not be a skill anyone can do. Giving a proper manicure involves more than just filing the nails and applying polish on the nails. I have this knowledge due to my training at a ceritfide school (Ralph R. Mckee High School) To learn how to give a proper manicure that is Salon quality one must attend a Cosmetology school. First you are taught to inspect the nails to make sure they are free from fungus or cuts; it is very important to inquire if your client has diabetes or is a hemophiliac. If your client suffers from either illness there is one step of the manicure you should avoid; cutting the cuticles. After you have observed, and obtained the health information you can now proceed to the first manual step. To begin you must first remove any and all old nail polish from the nails. If the customer has acrylic nails or any type of fake nails, which are easily noticed. You must not use polish remover that contains acetone; this will melt and dissolve the nails. From here you proceed to filing the nails; real or fake. Before moving onto the next hand you must fill a handrest with warm soapy water. Place the hand you filled in the warm soapy water and proceed to file the other hand. When you are finished with filing both hands remove the first and replace it with the second hand. Take the first hand that has soaked and proceed to gently push back the cuticles to seperate the cuticle from the nail bed with a wooden stick that has a flat head at each end, this is called a cuticle pusher; they also make them in clay and metal. It is up to the nail technician’s personal taste as to which type of pusher they use. When the first hand is completed you now remove what is called Cuticle Clippers from a sterilizing solution and proceed to remove the dead skin surrounding the nail, as well as the cuticle itself (this is why you need to check on your clients health status before cutting). When you have completed this part of the process on the first hand you then proceed to work on the second hand. Before proceeding to apply any polish at all you first apply moisturizing lotion to the hands and begin to gently massage one hand and the arm up until the elbow. The technician massages both hands and arms for about ten minutes to have given your client a therapeutic massage, as well as helping them to completely relax. Once the nail technician completes this part of the process they then proceed to applying the nail polish of their client’s choice. If a client is indecive as to which color to choose as them to narrow it down to 2-3 choices and help them come to a decision from the 3 polishes. Sometimes clients may request a design painted on their nails as well. When applying the nail polish you first must apply a moisturizing clear base coat. This will protect the nails from staining and keep them healthy at the same time. To apply the color of the client’s choice you take the hand you began with and hold it in your left hand if you are a right-handed person. With your free right hand take the nail polish brush tap any excess off then begin to apply the nail polish, beginning with the clients pinky. To ensure applying the polish evenly and neatly rest your pinky fingers upon each other. At first you must be very careful and not rush through applying the polish. If the nail tech gets polish on the skin the tech would then take a wooden nail pusher applying a small amount of cotton to one end and dipping it in nail polish remover to help remove the polish from the skin without damaging the nail bed. Once both hands have polish applied to them you now apply a clear top coat that seals and protects the polish from chipping until the client is ready for their next manicure (which typically is about 2 weeks, depends on client upkeeps nails). Upon completion of the manicure the client will sit and dry their nails under a nail-dryer for about 15-20 minutes. At this point you have now completed successfully a professional level manicure. Manicuring is not always easy, especially on a professional level. If you are going to attempt your own remember to take precausion when using nail clippers, because they are sharp and you can easily give yourself a wound severe enough to require a visit to the doctor/ emergency room. If you can follow and perfom these steps on yourself in the correct manor people will be under the impression you recieved a perfessional manicure.