Introducing Russian Manicures

What is a Russian Manicure?

Russian manicures, also known as e-file manicures or dry manicures, is a technique involving the use of electric nail files and a combination of various e-file bits and manual tools to carefully remove dead skin and clean the cuticle area without the use of water.

The result is a set of nails with ultra crisp, precisely outlined cuticle lines. A clean and longer looking nail bed as the skin covering the nail bed is removed. With either a finish in gel polish or an enhancement.

Russian manicures aren’t offered at a lot of salons, they’re meticulous work that require advanced skill in working with e-files. They also require additional time compared to a traditional manicure, most of it being the precision work and care that is absolutely required when working so closely with the cuticle.

A Typical Russian Manicure

1. No soaking. Your hands stay dry from start to finish. Dry skin holds its shape, which lets your nail artist work with far more precision.

2. E-file prep. With a series of fine e-file bits, your nail artist gently:

   • lifts and exfoliates dead cuticle tissue
   • clears buildup around the nail fold
   • cleans along the sidewalls of each nail

3. Cuticle work. Where it’s needed, the cuticle is trimmed with nippers or small curved scissors for a clean, even line.

4. Shaping and surface prep. Each nail is shaped to your liking, then lightly buffed so polish or an enhancement holds well.

5. The finish. Gel polish or builder gel is laid as close to the cuticle as it can safely go. As your nail grows, the gap it leaves at the base is covered by your cuticle growing back over it, so your set looks freshly done for longer. Here at Courtly, you can choose between a regular polish, gel polish, Gel-X enhancements, or a Hard Gel Overlay enhancement for your type.

Who’s it for?

A Russian manicure suits anyone who wants their nails to look as clean as possible. However, it’s a particularly good fit if you:

• love a crisp, clearly defined cuticle line
• find your cuticles grow quickly or creep up the nail
• wear gel polish or builder gel and want each set to stay fresh longer between visits
• would like your nail beds to look longer

Russian Manicures at Courtly

Courtly is one of the few studios in the Lower Mainland, and especially in Maple Ridge, to offer Russian manicures. Only our master artists provide this service: each is well experienced in the industry and practised Russian manicures before joining us.

As of current, Russian manicures are only offered by Amee. You can view their work here or reserve a Russian manicure here.

Thanks for taking a read, until next time.