What is Manicure?
[[File:Female hands.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Nails following a manicure.]][[File:Tipsy.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Example of acrylic nails over natural nails]] A '''manicure''' is the act of beautifying one's hands or fingernails. Manicures can be done at home or by a professional in a nail salon. During a manicure, the [[nail (anatomy)|nail]] is filed with a [[nail file]]; the free edge of the nail is cut, the [[cuticle]] is treated, the person's hand is [[massage]]d and [[nail polish]] is put on. ==History== [[Image:Ex-servicewomen learning manicure techniques.jpg|230px|thumb|left|Ex-servicewomen learning manicure techniques, 1945]] 5000 years ago, manicures were first used. [[Henna]] was used in [[India]] for manicure. The word mehendi, another word for henna, derives from the Sanskrit mehandika. [[Cixi]], the Dowager Empress of China, had very long naturally-grown nails. == Related pages == *[[Nail art]] *[[Acetone]] [[Category:Body art]] [[Category:Cosmetics]]