Manicure without coating. Photos before and after, how to make it beautiful

In pursuit of fashion trends, women are increasingly turning to the services of nail technicians to cover and model their nails. Constant exposure to aggressive materials and mechanical damage from abrasive instruments can affect the condition of the nail plate. A manicure performed without coating will help correct the situation. It will not only restore the health of your hands, but also save money. After all, the price for this type of service is much lower.

Portfolio: what beginners should know

A portfolio will help a manicure salon or nail artist:

1. Demonstrate the level of work, attract attention. A portfolio is a business card;
2. Get new clients;
3. The style of photographs can appeal to the interests of different target audiences;
4. Promote an account on a social network.

Therefore, the quality and style of photographs in your portfolio are very important.

To create a portfolio you will need:

• smartphone or camera;
• models for shooting;
• good lighting;
• good background, accessories;
• photo processing programs;
• the knowledge you will gain after reading.

Also decide where to place your portfolio: on social networks, on your own website or a specialized service, such as Portfoliobox. It is better to place it on all platforms available to you. Most often they use Instagram.

Photo rules for masters

It's one thing if you photograph your nails for yourself, but quite another if you're a nail artist and you need to take the best photos of your masterpieces for your portfolio.

• Do you sign your works? Make sure that the inscriptions are consistent across all photos: the same font, style, etc.
• It would be better if all your photos on social networks were in the same style.
• To do this, you can select a specific set of presets in a particular photo editor.
• Follow the trends: what accessories do photographers use for photography, what is popular?
• Doing a themed nail design? Why not choose a themed background? For example, a manicure with ice cream against a background of ice cream, etc. And be inspired by new beautiful photographs, constantly drawing ideas for gorgeous shots!

What does a portfolio look like?

Photos for a portfolio should not only be of high quality, but also in the same style. You must demonstrate the ability to work with different shapes and lengths of nails, as well as mastery of several techniques. Let all the types of manicures you perform be reflected. You can post your work under categories, for example, “French”, “Manicure on short nails”, “Art painting”.

Features of manicure without coating

A manicure without coating, the price of which depends on the method of execution, is a set of nail care actions.

When performing any type of manicure, the master pursues certain goals:

• giving a well-groomed appearance;
• removal of pterygium;
• removal of keratinized skin and hangnails;
• cuticle treatment (removal in some techniques);
• correction of deficiencies;
• sawdust forms;
• plate restoration.

A manicure without a color coating or other artificial material is significantly cheaper.

Its price varies between 450-1500 rubles, and depends on many factors:

• method of execution;
• cost of tools/equipment;
• prestige of the salon;
• availability of care procedures;
• cost of care products (oils, vitamin complexes).

Fans of this procedure have the opportunity to choose a technique that meets their requirements.

Nail service experts distinguish the following main types of manicure:

• European;
• classical;
• sawing;
• hardware;
• combined.

Posing

The most unphotogenic poses are tense or splayed fingers, a completely straight palm, hand on hand “a la an octopus.” Don't press too hard against the table surface. We also do not recommend photographing your nails from the end (tip), as this will cause them to take on a trapezoid shape.

1. To begin, ask the model to relax her hands;
2. We keep our fingers together, relaxed, without straining them. The main thing is naturalness, no strange positions, no “predator” poses. In a relaxed state, veins and wrinkles stand out less on the skin;
3. Gently straighten your fingers to your liking. If it doesn’t work, arrange the brush beautifully in a free state, let the client take a small object. This technique is always a win-win.

Some posing ideas:

• a handful of beads in the palm of your hand, you can hold them with one hand and “sort” them with the other;

• one palm on the other;

• take a small object, it could be a cup, a beautiful accessory, a souvenir;
• gracefully turn your hand over and raise your fingers up.

Share your posing ideas in the comments! )

Take several shots from different angles, then choose the most successful ones. Don't photograph all your work from the same angle, otherwise the album will turn out boring.

Selecting hand position

Are there win-win hand positions that will always look good on camera? Yes! Here is a list of them.

Raise your hands up

You can raise your hands up, interlace them elegantly and place them in the center of the frame. Decorate your fingers with massive jewelry and don't forget about bracelets!

Hands on face or chest

Bring your hands to your face or fold them across your chest and spread your fingers. In this case, it is better to opt for plain clothes in calm colors.

Interlace your fingers or place your hands side by side

Interlace your fingers beautifully, place them in the center of the frame and remove everything unnecessary from the background. Or repeat the classic pose with your hands relaxed next to each other or one on top of the other.

Spontaneity and dynamics

Photos that seem to be taken by chance look very advantageous: for example, in motion, with a hand straightening your hair or covering your mouth while laughing. You can also take pictures as if you were dancing: put your phone on a self-timer and perform smooth movements.

Love

Pictures look great when lovers hug or hold hands, with the emphasis on the girl’s fingers and, of course, her impeccable manicure. Another option: extend your hand with the engagement ring forward.

Background

When choosing a background, strive for harmony:

• bright manicure - light, unobtrusive background;
• polishes in pastel colors - add accessories.

Under no circumstances should you clutter the background. One or two items are enough: a flower, a notepad, a bottle of perfume, a bow, a piece of fruit.

An ordinary manicure table, preferably matte, is suitable as a background. At the same time, your workplace should be perfectly clean, there should be no dust.

You can lay paper, cardboard or fabric on top. There are ready-made sheets with different textures: silk, metal, velor, shiny. It’s easy to make your own brand sheet from them: the name and surname of the artist and logo are applied to the textured sheet.

What does a brand list look like?

Even a sweater or pillow with a beautiful pillowcase can be used as a base.

4 ideas for creating a background:

• We take a piece of fabric, it can be tulle, chiffon, suede or regular material. The color should match the design on the nails. The fabric is lightly grasped by the hand, the client’s fingers are positioned beautifully;
• We use the gifts of nature as a background. We take pictures against the backdrop of fresh flowers, fruits, berries, branches;

• We select accessories to match the manicure style. For delicate, airy nail painting, pearl beads, lace, and feathers are suitable. An evening option is beautifully emphasized by a bottle of perfume, a brooch, and a dark rose. And gold jewelry will highlight tanned skin.
• Handbag as a background.

When choosing a background, remember that nails are the main object, and attention should be directed to the manicure, and not to foreign objects.

What types of sets are there?

Manicure according to the rules of the Land of the Rising Sun can be performed in 2 variations - P Shine and Masura. Each of them assumes an individual composition of sets.

Pishine includes a list of the following materials:

• nutritional paste, which is contained in a green jar;
• glossing powder in a pink container;
• 2 suede buffs;
• 3 pieces of sanding pad;
• suede napkin;
• plastic pusher;
• diamond file.

The contents of the Masur set are slightly different. It includes:

• mineral paste NI;
• TATIBANA sticks;
• polishing powder HON;
• polishing block

Sometimes this kit is supplemented with oil and a composition for softening the cuticle. A Ginseng protective coating may also be included.

Lighting

The ideal light is a window with the curtains pulled back during the day or a bright table lamp. In the first case, you should avoid sunlight, as it will ruin the quality of the photo. Opposite the window you can place a light reflector - a regular sheet of Whatman paper or foil. The table on which the shooting will take place should be between the window and the sheet.

The most commonly used lamp is a table lamp. Ideally, there are two of them and they are placed on both sides. You can get by with just one. The lamp should rotate well in different directions, and always choose a very bright light bulb with a cool light, not yellow.

The lamp should be placed on the side above the palm.

A photobox can be an assistant in lighting the scene of a photo; its other names are lightbox, photocube, lightcube. It is a box with light walls in which a hand fits. Often equipped with lighting.

General artificial lighting is not the best option; the quality of the photos will be much to be desired. And one more important point: never use a flash.

Secrets of the perfect highlight

What is a highlight on nails? This is the reflection of light from a light bulb on the glossy surface of the nail plate. The natural highlight looks very attractive, and the photo will not go unnoticed.

To achieve this effect:

• The nail coating should be glossy; you won’t be able to achieve a glare with a matte finish;
• Try to perfectly align the nail plate;
• Take photos of your nails before removing the sticky layer;
• You need a round lamp with a very bright bulb;
• Place the lamp on the side, as close to the nails as possible, as if putting it on your hand. To get beautiful highlights in a photo, you need a lot of light.

You can also add a highlight using Adobe Photoshop. The easiest way is to use a special filter. Go to the “Filter” menu, select “Rendering”, then “Highlight”. Set the brightness and glare type. A cross will appear, with which we mark the desired place in the picture.

The brightest and largest highlights are visible on those nails that are closest to the lamp. The further the nail is from the lighting, the less glare there is on it.

Technique for doing it at home

Manicure without coating (price 400–750 rubles) with the classic (edged) version is available at home. All tools are affordable and will last a long time.

Even a beginner can master this technique by sequentially performing the following steps:

1. Lifting the cuticle.
2. Opening and cleaning of the subcuticular space.
3. Shape sawdust.
4. Applying remover.
5. Maceration.
6. Deep cleaning of the pterygium.
7. Removal of rough skin.
8. Cuticle cut.

9. Applying oil.

The mandatory sterilization step cannot be performed at home. Therefore, all instruments are used strictly individually, in order to maintain hygiene. Even the safest manicure can cause harm and injury. Excessive pressure, depth, pressure or angle of the instrument can damage the matrix and nail plate. Each stage has its own characteristics and requires a more detailed analysis.

Removing old coating

Removing the old coating is a mandatory step and can be done in two ways: sawing and soaking.

The choice of method depends on the following factors:

• nail conditions;
• material rigidity;
• material thickness;
• available tools.

Soaking involves soaking the artificial surface with a liquid containing a solvent. Varnishes that dry in the open air are wiped with a cotton pad soaked in liquid. It is enough to apply it for 5-10 seconds. The service of coating nails with gel polish is very popular in salons.

When coating with leveling, a layer of base coat is applied under the color coating, forming the correct architecture of the nail. The thin layer and structure of the material allow a special liquid to saturate and soften it. You must first file the top coat and the end with a file for natural nails. This will reduce the soaking time to 15–20 minutes.

A cotton pad cut into several triangles is soaked in removing liquid. Each piece is attached to a nail using foil. The softened coating is scraped off with gentle movements from the surface of the nail. Residues are removed with a buff of soft abrasive. The material must be removed in the direction from the cuticle to the free edge.

When modeling nails, harder materials that cannot be soaked are used.

In this case, it is necessary to note the sawdust technique. For an experienced craftsman with a router and carbide cutters, the procedure will take no more than 20 minutes. To remove the coating at home, you will need a coarse abrasive file and a longer period of time.

Cuticle treatment

First of all, the cuticle needs to be lifted. Light movements of a pusher or an orange stick push it towards the proximal fold. This stage makes it possible to open the subcuticular space, which will allow for a deeper cleaning of this area. Nail technicians recommend that beginners perform lifting in several passes, moving from the sinuses to the center of the nail. The resulting pocket must be cleaned of dry pterygium and adhesives adhering to the nail plate. To do this, short stroke movements are made along the cuticle line from the sinus to the center of the plate.

Before putting your hand into a bath of warm water (water temperature no more than 30–40 C°), modern manicurists apply a cuticle remover. This thick liquid is designed to soften the cuticle and make it easier to remove later. The water in the bath should not be hot, and the exposure time should not exceed 10-15 minutes. Otherwise, when cutting the cuticle, the border of keratinized and dry skin will be poorly visible. This increases the risk of injury.

Using the previously described technique for cleaning the pterygium, it is necessary to clean the subcuticular space and lateral sinuses. Moistened keratinized skin is removed from the lateral ridges and sinuses. To do this, use the selected type of cutting tool, positioning it parallel to the growth of the nail. Moving on to cutting the cuticle, you need to change the angle of the cutting blade. Its lower part is placed under the cuticle, and the instrument is turned across the growth of the nail.

After completing the treatment of all 10 nails and the manicure as a whole, it is recommended to apply vitamin oil to the cuticle area. The composition will moisturize the skin and cushions, extending the wear time.

In addition to processing the cuticle, an important point is to remove dirt under the free edge. Many beginners, trying to achieve the perfect manicure, aggressively clean out the hyponychia. This layer between the skin and nail is the body's protective reaction. It prevents bacteria from entering the subungual space. Mechanical damage to the hyponychium leads to increased growth. You can use a stiff bristled brush to clean this area.

Grinding

Sanding with a buff is used before soaking the skin and after it dries. After opening the subcuticular space and cleaning the dry pterygium, this area is processed with a grinder. The nail is cleaned with long movements (in one direction) from one side fold, along the cuticle line and to the other.

After drying, the sander is used before polishing. This stage allows you to smooth the edges of the cuts and visually smooth the surface of the skin around the nail. Sometimes manicurists use a natural nail file to polish dry, rough skin on the side ridges. For hyperkeratosis, stripping will reduce the treatment time for these areas.

Polishing

As a rule, the nail plate is covered with an artificial colored material, and then with a finishing material to add gloss. When performing a manicure without coating, the effect of shine and smoothness is achieved by polishing. A polisher is a device that is soft in structure and has a flexible base. Due to friction, its abrasiveness allows you to safely polish the natural nail plate.

Shaping your nails

A natural nail consists of flat, dry plates layered on top of each other. Its properties resemble a sponge. After being saturated with liquid, the scales rise. It becomes more loose, flexible and vulnerable.

By filing a wet nail, the abrasive of the file aggravates the splitting of the scales among themselves. After drying, the free edge may crumble and delaminate. It is for this reason that the filing of the natural nail plate is always carried out before moisturizing.

Manicure without coating: at the final stages you need to shape the nail, as in the photo.

The most practical to wear are the following forms:

• oval;
• round;
• squaw oval;
• soft square;
• almond.

Shapes such as a sharp square, stiletto, ballerina have sharp corners and can cause discomfort when worn.

Hydration and nutrition

Manufacturers of nail service products offer a wide range of different products for the care of natural nails. Before purchasing and using them, you need to understand the structure of the nail. The nail consists of onychoblasts - white cells that form at the root of the nail.

At the beginning of their journey, they are round in shape and filled with liquid. As you move along the plate, its shape becomes flatter and drier. Layers of dried and flattened onychoblasts stick together to create a nail. These cells can be called dead.

By forming onychoblasts, the matrix receives nutrition from the body. Therefore, to improve their quality, it is necessary to improve the overall condition of the power source.

To improve the condition of your nails, it is recommended:

• rejection of bad habits;
• healthy eating;
• healthy sleep;
• consumption of vitamins;
• playing sports.

A healthy body is a complete source of nutrition not only for the skin and nails, but also for all body systems. It is not possible to influence the nutrition of dead nail cells.

The closer they are to the free edge, the worse the connections between them. This is why the end of the nail often delaminates and breaks. The main task of various nail care products is to reduce the influence of the external environment on them and improve their visual condition.

Every day, nails are exposed to various factors:

• water;
• household chemicals;
• Sun rays;
• mechanical impact;
• aggressive environments.

Special oils penetrate between the nail scales and soften them. A moisturized nail has better flexibility and is less prone to breakage. A similar effect is achieved by various nail polishing pastes. After applying the composition to the plate, it is rubbed in with a polisher or a suede file. The composition heats up due to friction, and paraffin particles are distributed between the scales. Such sealing improves their adhesion, protecting them from the influence of moisture.

It’s hard to imagine a modern woman without a manicure. The abundance of artificial materials, techniques for their use, and a wide color palette of gel polishes for coating make it possible to realize the most daring ideas. The cost of such experiments may be a deterioration in the condition of the nails. This is why classic manicure techniques remain consistently popular.

Shooting with a camera

The quality of pictures is affected by 3 important camera settings:

• diaphragm;
• excerpt;
• photosensitivity.

The aperture is responsible for the flow of light entering the camera sensor. On the camera display, the aperture is indicated as follows: F/number. The lower the number after the letter F, the more open the aperture, which means the shallower the depth of field. This allows you to highlight your nails in the photo against a blurred background. If you don’t want a blurred background, increase the number indicating the aperture.

Shutter speed is the time required for light to hit the sensor. A long shutter speed is needed when photographing a subject in motion so that the photo does not turn out blurry. But in our case, we are shooting the hand in a fixed position, so it is better to keep the shutter speed short.

on the photosensitivity (ISO) . The lower the value of this parameter, the less noise there will be, and the picture will be of better quality. Typically, high light sensitivity is needed when shooting in a dimly lit area.

Changing one of these parameters usually automatically changes the others.

For photographing marigolds, the automatic “macro” mode is perfect, usually a button in the shape of a flower. This way you can convey the texture of the coating in the smallest detail in the photo. It also gives a soft background blur.

The advantage of the camera is that the lens automatically focuses on the object we need.

Features of shooting on your phone

In good lighting, the smartphone automatically takes good quality photos. But sometimes there is a “failure”, and unnecessary yellowness or darkness appears, or a lack of sharpness.

When filming with your phone camera, pay attention to the following recommendations:

1. Instead of the standard camera, you can download other applications with more interesting color rendering. Popular programs for Android include Open Camera, HD Camera, Retrica, A Better Camera, and for iPhone – ProCamera, VSCO, Halide;
2. The nails in the resulting picture should be in the center. To do this, use the crop mode. It looks like a sizing chart with a centering button. Touch this button to make the camera better focus on the desired area;
3. Remove the matte gel polish coating from above, and remove the glossy and shiny coating at an angle to catch the glare;
4. Do not use digital zoom, this will reduce image quality;
5. It is better to refuse standard built-in filters if you want a high-quality and aesthetic photograph. You can always add effects, if needed, later, during processing.

Treatment

Using manicure photo processing, you can eliminate the following shortcomings:

• make a faded frame brighter;
• remove unnecessary yellowness;
• remove imperfections and correct skin tone.

You can use Adobe Photoshop, which will correct all the above shortcomings. In the “Image-Correction” tab, the brightness and contrast of the picture are changed, and the “Spot Healing Brush” tool removes skin defects and unnecessary objects. The mobile version of the program is called Adobe Photoshop Express.

There are special photo processing applications for Android:

• Snapseed - the application can be called “mobile Photoshop”, it allows you to change brightness, contrast, light balance, increase sharpness, add text and even remove unnecessary specks of dust;
• AirBrush - used to whiten desired areas, for example, skin, and there are also many different filters;

• PhotoDirector - has a lot of possibilities: working with color, cropping, applying filters, blurring the background;
• LightX - in addition to standard processing, changes the background and color of individual areas of the image.

There are also applications for iPhone:

• Darkroom-Photo Editor is a simple editor with a set of tools, it is possible to create your own filter;
• Enlight - has many filters and convenient tools for photo correction.

You can also edit photos on Instagram. The application has several good filters that make the picture brighter, add color saturation, and allow you to emphasize a certain shade.

When processing photographs, try to preserve the color and texture of the coating as much as possible.

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.

Instagram for posting a portfolio

An Instagram profile is a great way to promote your services, advertise your portfolio, and find new clients.

A few ideas for an attractive Instagram profile:

• Take photos for Instagram in the same style. To develop a unique style, choose one convenient photo editor and process everything in it. Different sections can be decorated in different color tones. But at the same time, avoid the same type. Experiment with hand position, background, accessories;

• For inscriptions, choose a loose, interesting font and stick to it. But the letters should not be too intricate and difficult to read;
• Post high-quality photos on Instagram that clearly show the work done. The skin of your hands should look well-groomed, without wounds, scratches, or hangnails. It’s good when the texture, design, and color of the coating are clearly visible;
• You can display pictures from the “before and after manicure” category.

Instagram for beauty business - application in marketing

Errors

The most common beginner mistakes:

• Abuse of processing, filters. They are designed for easy adjustments, not redoing the entire frame.
• Oily skin. The cuticle needs to be moisturized with oil. But in the photograph the greasy shine does not look presentable.
• The camera distance is too far or too close. The first option can confuse viewers: is this a shot of a manicure or a table with a hand accidentally included in the frame? We recommend holding the camera 50 cm from the subject, or a little closer.
• Mixing natural daylight and lamps is simply a crime. Choose one.
• The glare is too big. Let them be light and unobtrusive, not covering the entire nail plate.
• Inappropriate background. Maybe your background is too colorful or glossy. Do the accessories look awkward? Take them away, and with time and experience the ability to work with additional attributes will come.
• The lens is dirty. You need to wipe your camera lens or the back camera of your phone. Because of this, the quality of the pictures may suffer.

Write your opinion or question in the comments!

Features of photographing the work of a pedicurist
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Vitamins and dietary supplements for beauty and healthy nails

If the problems are not too serious, then a regular healthy diet will help cope with them. Of course, we are not talking about situations where the deterioration in the appearance of the nail plate after extensions is associated with certain diseases or injury.

In this case, it is better to go to the clinic rather than self-medicate, which can lead to the disease becoming advanced. Sometimes nail correction after extensions can help eliminate some defects.

In other cases, you can use special pharmacy vitamins. Today you can buy vitamins A and E at the pharmacy, which are available in the form of ampoules and are inexpensive.

Thanks to this, they can be considered a universal budget product that can significantly improve the appearance of the nail plate and make it a little thicker. This is especially important if the nails are too thin and this causes pain.

Due to insufficient thickness, nails hurt after extensions. The method of using these vitamins is extremely simple: you need to rub them into the nail plate every day. After 7-14 days, the first results will be noticeable.

In addition, you can buy vitamin B5 at the pharmacy. Many people forget about it when looking for a product that will help restore nails after extensions. And in vain, since this vitamin is very necessary for nails. If you rub it with other vitamins into your nails, they will recover faster.

It would also be useful to use special dietary supplements, which can be purchased not only in specialized stores, but also in pharmacies. They contain a large amount of useful minerals and vitamins.

Many of them are designed specifically to improve the appearance of hair, nails and skin. They drink such drugs in courses. Typically the course duration is 21 days. You can repeat the course, but only after a certain period of time.

It is worth noting that making a decision to purchase such nutritional supplements on your own is highly discouraged. You must first consult your doctor. This can be explained by the fact that their use is not always justified.

It is best to start by rubbing the vitamin into the nail plate and monitor the improvements that follow. If this method does not give the desired result, you can think about purchasing dietary supplements.