Beautiful Manicure

BeautifulManicure.com has lots of manicure ideas in different nail colors, shapes, and lengths. The manicure pictures here show you styles for all occasions from everyday to special occasions, like weddings. Find a new look or nail polish colors to suit your mood, workplace, or event.

You can print out any picture for personal use, e.g., to show the manicurist at your nail salon what you want. If you want to use a picture on your blog or website, kindly add a link to this site. Thank you.

Introduction

What are the design elements of beautiful manicure? There are five major elements: 1) nail health; 2) nail length; 3) nail shape; 4) nail color, cuticle health.

Cuticles

The key to a beautiful manicure is healthy, well-shaped cuticles. Your cuticles are the "frame" and your nails are the "picture." Cuticles are the foundation to the creative process; you can't paint your nails first and come back to your cuticles later and expect a great manicure.

One defining characteristic of perfect cuticles is perfect moisture. Dry or cracked cuticles ruin a manicure but it is easy to keep them moisturized. Depending on the climate, all it usually takes is using moisturizer after you shower or wash your hands; or doing that and rubbing moisturizer into your cuticles once a day.

Cuticles seem to have a mind of their own. On some nails they can grow or stretch as the nails grow out; whereas on others they never grow. So you may have to push them back only once a year or every time you get your nails done. The key is to get a uniform look so your cuticles have the same shape, length, and look on all your fingers.

When cuticles grow and they are pushed back, they may need to be clipped; otherwise it leaves an imperfect look and interferes with the application of polish. A cuticle snipper in a steady hand gets the job done.

Lighting can make a difference when you shape your cuticles. Some angles and brightness levels make it more difficult to get the shape you want.

Cuticle definition is important but it can be tricky. The key is to push back your cuticles without causing damage to the nail plate. (Damage could cause ridges.)