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Manicure

Shape, cuticle care and polish for natural nails and hands

A classic manicure is care for the natural nail: filing to shape, softening and tidying the cuticles, buffing, a hand massage with cream, and a finish of regular polish, gel or simply a clear strengthening coat. It is the base on which every other nail treatment is built, and the one to book if your nails are recovering from extensions or you want them to look neat without product on top.

Salons offer variations: a luxury manicure adds an exfoliating scrub, a mask and a longer hand massage; a Russian or dry manicure uses an e-file to clean the cuticle area very precisely; and a men's manicure is usually a tidy, buff and matt finish. Most nail bars list a file and polish as a quick option too.

A standard manicure takes 30 to 45 minutes and a luxury one up to an hour. With regular polish, avoid putting your hands in water for an hour or two afterwards; with gel the nails are dry when you leave.

Also known as: classic manicure, Russian manicure, file and polish.

Manicure by city

London Birmingham Leeds Glasgow Bristol Edinburgh Sheffield Brighton

Who offers manicure

Frequently asked questions

How much does a manicure cost?

A classic manicure is usually £18 to £30 outside London, and £30 to £45 in central London. Luxury manicures with a mask and massage cost £35 to £55.

Should cuticles be cut during a manicure?

Only the dead skin around the cuticle, never the living tissue at the base of the nail. A careful technician pushes back and tidies rather than cutting deep, which protects the nail from infection.

What is a Russian manicure?

A dry manicure that uses an electric file with fine bits to clean the cuticle area precisely, so gel can be applied very close to the skin and grows out more neatly. It needs a well-trained technician; done badly it can damage the nail.