Russian Manicure: Everything You Need To Know

A Russian manicure has become increasingly popular in the beauty industry, particularly in the United States. In my opinion, TikTok is partly responsible for this trend. As you may have guessed, its origin is from Russia. Russian nail technicians developed this style of manicure in the 90s to combat the harsh cold weather that often damages your nails. This can lead to nail breakage and a short lifespan of the manicure. The manicure has also gained popularity because it involves a precise cuticle-cutting technique. This helps the nail to look clean and last a long time and does not compare to other manicures. Here are a few things you should know.

White and gold speckled Russian manicure

Russian Manicures Explained

Unlike traditional manicures, Russian manicures do not use water and instead use something called an e-file. This is the technique of using a drill and its corresponding drill bits. As mentioned before, cutting the cuticle is a very crucial step in the process. This takes some time as it requires precision and leaves the nails with more room for polish, resulting in a cleaner nail look. The process does not involve the use of acrylics or gels as they are known to cause damage to the nail.

The Russian manicure involves the application of a hard gel that is a gooey liquid using a soft, thin brush with precision. It is quite different than the gel used in a common salon. The UV lamp cures the gel, and then a brush is used to apply quality gel polish on top. The type of hard gel will vary from person to person because everyone’s nails are different in terms of health.

How Long Is The Appointment?

The appointment can last anywhere from 2 to 5 hours. This is due to the prep work and cleaning of the nail bed as well as your nail health. Nails that are severely damaged may take longer to get healthy again. The main goal of the manicure is to improve the health of your nails, so it’s essential to take the time to do so.

How Long Does it Last?

The manicure lasts much longer than a traditional one because of the cuticle cutting. Depending on how fast your nails grow, it can last anywhere from 3-5 weeks. This is much longer than any acrylic or gel nail service I have experienced and much less damaging.

Controversy

Although the manicure has gained traction and is becoming more popular, it has also been in the spotlight for being a manicure to avoid. Cutting the cuticle is considered an invasive procedure, and if done incorrectly, can cause infection. So, if you want to try a Russian manicure, I would suggest doing your research and making an appointment with someone with years of experience and a license.

Where To Find

Cities like NYC, Miami, and L.A. are buzzing with salons for the service but can be more difficult to find in other states. This does not necessarily mean that other cities do not have Russian manicure services. Atlanta has a large Eastern European population and many Slavic ladies know how to do a Russian manicure. Many Russian Facebook groups can help with finding someone qualified in your area. Usually, these people are in the suburbs of Atlanta. I like to visit Luisanna Nails in Lawrenceville who does a fantastic job! She also does Russian pedicures and regular gel manicures.

Conclusion

I love the Russian manicure not only because of its clean look and how long it lasts but also because it is the only one that has helped me stop biting my nails! It also helped my nails become strong, not brittle, and weak as they would have with acrylics or gels. The manicure can be more pricey but there are fewer trips to the salon. If you want a refined and lasting nail, I highly suggest trying a Russian manicure. I guarantee that you will not be left disappointed.