About
Skip the spa and give yourself an at home manicure-and here's the perfect author to show how. Ji Baek, the high-energy owner of New York's hottest nail salons, the Rescue Beauty Lounge-written about from Vogue to InStyle, Lucky to Harper's Bazaar, used by designers and stylists, patronized by actors, fashionistas, professionals, and more-presents the definitive guide to beautiful hands and feet. Emphasizing natural beauty, cleanliness, and simplicity, it covers the science of the nail, and why it's important to take vitamins, file regularly, and moisturize constantly; the care of the nail, with step-by-step illustrated directions to achieving professional-quality home manicures and pedicures, including tools, techniques, lotions, polishes; the dressing of the nail-shapes, colors, and styles; the health of the nail and the surrounding skin-how to heal split nails, brittle nails, and ingrown nails, and take care of common problems like calluses and sunspots. Ji Baek founded Rescue Beauty Lounge, New York's top nail salon, in 1998, and soon after started garnering attention in Vogue, InStyle, Allure, New York, Lucky, Jane, Elle, Harper's Bazaar, The New York Times, WWD, and more. The Ten (Unbreakable) Rules of Nail Care:
1. Take your vitamins. Nails are keratin-based, so make sure you have enough calcium, protein, and nutrients in your diet.
2. Moisturize and hydrate. Dryness can cause your nails to crack and split. Use moisturizer for your outside, drink plenty of water for your inside.
3. Keep your nails clean. There is nothing more unattractive than having dirt under your nails-remember, clean is chic!
4. File your nails weekly into a smooth, even shape, whether they're short or long.
5. Take care of your tools. Learn the three S's-sterilization, sanitation, and storage-and be vigilant. Preventable infections are just that-preventable!
6. Trust your instincts. If it hurts, don't do it. If it feels wrong, stop it. If (heaven forbid) it bleeds, tend to it immediately.
7. If it chips, take it off! If you can see the chip, everyone can see the chip. Uniformly lovely nails are just a swipe of remover away.
8. Don't be a slave to the trends. If you're seeing the same color everywhere, only wear it if you like the way it looks. Say no to peer pressure!
9. Don't be afraid of trends. Get out of your rut and try something new!
10. Have fun! Experiment! Remember, your nails' style is hardly permanent. If you're even slightly tired of your current look, change it! If you're not happy, all it takes is some polish remover and you're back in the safety zone.
What you'll learn:
The best way to repair smudged polish
The best way to store your polish-not in the fridge
The secret to cleaning up spilled polish (hint: check your desk drawer)
The must-haves in your nail-care arsenal: lemon juice and salt
The best way to repair a split or chipped nail
Colors for the beginner, colors for the pro The ten unbreakable rules of nail care Chapter 1
You've got nail
Ji's story, Land of Opportunity, The Evolution of Beautiful Nails, A Field Guide to the Fingernail, The Ten Unbreakable Rules of Nail Care, You Are Your Nails, The Real Deal on Fakes
Chapter 2
Getting started at home
The Instant Medicine-Cabinet Manicure, Lotions & Potion, Do-It-Yourself Exfoliators, Tools of the Trade: An Illustrated Guide, Three Ways to Sterilize Your Tools
Chapter 3
The at-home rescue manicure
Manicure Mise en Place, Stage One: Trimming and Smoothing, Shaping Up, Stage Two: Cuticle Care, Stage Three: Finishing Up, Stage Four: Cleanup
Chapter 4
The at-home rescue pedicure
Pedicure Mise en Place, Stage One: Getting Ready, Stage Two: Trimming and Shaping, Stage Three: Not-So-Cuticles, Stage Four: Out, Dead Skin!, Stage Five: Finishing Touches-Stage Six: Cleanup
Chapter 5
Polish perfection
Nail Polish Application 101 Polish Mise en Place
1. Take your vitamins. Nails are keratin-based, so make sure you have enough calcium, protein, and nutrients in your diet.
2. Moisturize and hydrate. Dryness can cause your nails to crack and split. Use moisturizer for your outside, drink plenty of water for your inside.
3. Keep your nails clean. There is nothing more unattractive than having dirt under your nails-remember, clean is chic!
4. File your nails weekly into a smooth, even shape, whether they're short or long.
5. Take care of your tools. Learn the three S's-sterilization, sanitation, and storage-and be vigilant. Preventable infections are just that-preventable!
6. Trust your instincts. If it hurts, don't do it. If it feels wrong, stop it. If (heaven forbid) it bleeds, tend to it immediately.
7. If it chips, take it off! If you can see the chip, everyone can see the chip. Uniformly lovely nails are just a swipe of remover away.
8. Don't be a slave to the trends. If you're seeing the same color everywhere, only wear it if you like the way it looks. Say no to peer pressure!
9. Don't be afraid of trends. Get out of your rut and try something new!
10. Have fun! Experiment! Remember, your nails' style is hardly permanent. If you're even slightly tired of your current look, change it! If you're not happy, all it takes is some polish remover and you're back in the safety zone.
What you'll learn:
The best way to repair smudged polish
The best way to store your polish-not in the fridge
The secret to cleaning up spilled polish (hint: check your desk drawer)
The must-haves in your nail-care arsenal: lemon juice and salt
The best way to repair a split or chipped nail
Colors for the beginner, colors for the pro The ten unbreakable rules of nail care Chapter 1
You've got nail
Ji's story, Land of Opportunity, The Evolution of Beautiful Nails, A Field Guide to the Fingernail, The Ten Unbreakable Rules of Nail Care, You Are Your Nails, The Real Deal on Fakes
Chapter 2
Getting started at home
The Instant Medicine-Cabinet Manicure, Lotions & Potion, Do-It-Yourself Exfoliators, Tools of the Trade: An Illustrated Guide, Three Ways to Sterilize Your Tools
Chapter 3
The at-home rescue manicure
Manicure Mise en Place, Stage One: Trimming and Smoothing, Shaping Up, Stage Two: Cuticle Care, Stage Three: Finishing Up, Stage Four: Cleanup
Chapter 4
The at-home rescue pedicure
Pedicure Mise en Place, Stage One: Getting Ready, Stage Two: Trimming and Shaping, Stage Three: Not-So-Cuticles, Stage Four: Out, Dead Skin!, Stage Five: Finishing Touches-Stage Six: Cleanup
Chapter 5
Polish perfection
Nail Polish Application 101 Polish Mise en Place