The Brazilian Manicure
Tiktok hashtags gaining millions of views have given way to Tiktok accounts lauding its virtues; Brazilian manicure is set to become part of our beauty routines; however, its drawbacks must also be considered.
Painting beyond the nails may make for an imperfect painting job, but this technique reportedly extends the shelf life of polish.
What is a Brazilian Manicure?
While French manicures were once the only choice available to women when it came to nail art, Brazil has recently emerged as a source of beauty inspiration. From makeup and skincare products to massage techniques and cosmetic procedures originating in this soccer nation are quickly catching on social media.
Brazilian nail salons go beyond the usual manicure by painting over all areas surrounding the nails to achieve an all-over effect with no empty spots in between; thus extending their lasting power and making their manicures last longer than their counterparts.
Cuticles should be pushed back until they blend seamlessly with the nail plate, creating an overall slimmer and longer appearance for your nails.
At each nail polish application session, a manicurist applies a clear base coat before adding their chosen shade of polish and finally topping off with another clear coat. After drying is complete, any excess is removed using an orangewood stick soaked in acetone as well as cotton balls saturated in acetone for easy clean-up.
The Basics
Brazilian beauty influencers are spreading an unconventional manicure technique — one in which polish is painted over cuticles to lengthen and polish nails more uniformly. While it might sound messy or dangerous, experts explain that this approach actually gives the nails a longer and more polished appearance.
Nat Baker, an expert nail technician from Brazil, notes that rather than applying polish just on one fingernail at a time, the manicurist should apply generous amounts around all fingernails and surrounding tissues of each digit, including skin around its edge. “This ensures that polish covers every part of each nail edge for long-term coverage,” according to Baker.
Ami Streets agrees, noting that manicures performed solely on nails tend to last longer. She cautions that it should only be performed by experienced and trained professionals as getting chemicals like nail polish and acetone on skin can lead to infections or allergic reactions; she states furthermore that cuticles act as natural barriers, therefore its removal would be counter-productive.
The Technique
Brazilian manicurists employ a more deliberate, methodical method for applying nail polish. They utilize precise methods that cover surrounding skin as part of the painting process – an often messy technique!
Allure reports that a typical manicure involves soaking hands in a treatment and exfoliating them before polish is applied. Next, the nail technician uses a Brazilian clipper to trim away any small areas of skin below the cuticle that might hinder its adhesion to nails, helping ensure its polish remains on them instead of gradually wearing away over time.
A nail stylist then applies polish to the rest of the nails and cuticles before wiping away excess with a boxwood stick soaked with acetone. Experts such as Elle Gerstein, Fernanda Lacerda and Nadine Abramcyk claim that proper manicure doesn’t harm nails; however, cutting too close may cause infection; therefore it is wise to seek assistance from an experienced nail pro for best results.
The Final Touch
She stresses the importance of finding a nail salon with technicians trained in this technique, noting that improper manicures may irritate cuticles and lead to infection. Gerstein suggests using cuticle oil to keep nails hydrated and slow polish removal; she likes Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat as her top pick.
A Brazilian manicure may appear messy, but that is intentional. Nail stylists apply generous coats of polish onto both nails and surrounding skin to achieve full coverage – then remove excess with an acetone-soaked boxwood stick.
Brazilian manicures have long been considered a sign of class and luxury, often utilized by aristocrats to demonstrate that their hands were free from bacteria from hard work. Now manicures have become essential part of life – from celebrities to everyday women alike – offering strong, long, beautiful nails.