HIGH END MANICURES

Great question! Structured manicures are the latest innovation in natural nail care, and in my professional opinion, the safest option. 

In a traditional gel manicure, the polish is adhered directly to the nail plate, then the product is soaked off with acetone and reapplied every two weeks. Each time the service is provided the natural nail plate needs to be prepped (buffed to remove shine). Even when a technician is being gentle, they are still removing a small layer of the nail each time they do this. The nails are also  being dried out by the acetone each time they remove the product. This is often why peoples nails feel thinner when they “take a break” from gel polish, and struggle with dry cuticles.

Structured manicures are applied once, which means the nail plate only needs to be gently prepped one time! When you come back for a fill, that regrowth is only prepped once, and then covered for protection. The product is breathable, which means nutrients can still penetrate your nail plate while you wear the product (cuticle oil - wink wink), and you don’t need to take a break or “let your nails breathe”. Once the product is applied the nails stay protected for as long as you keep the product on. Structured manicures also offer….structure! The product is a thicker consistency which offers reinforcement to the natural nails to help support any length of nails you wish to keep. Because of its incredible staying power, all of my clients are on 3-4 week schedules. (See “why can’t I go longer than 4 weeks for more info”)

It's a personal preference, I prefer helping clients grow their natural nails out instead of adding instant length. I enjoy the rehabilitation and nail growth process, and believe it is healthier for the nails - when you grow your nails out 'slowly' your nail beds have a chance to grow with your nails to better support the new growth. Over time we actually GROW your nail beds as well, creating an all around healthier nail structure. 

However, if you are looking for instant length there are some fantastic local techs who do provide these services. All have been vetted and maintain a clean and safe work environment. 

TRUSTED PRACTITIONERS:

Salty Waves Salon - Rockland - Ask for Kat

Level 10 Salon - Rockland - Ask for Kelsea

Meraki Hair Studio - Rockport - Ask for Emily

Salty Hair Co. - Belfast - Ask for Makenzie 

E-File manicures are the safest, most effective way to eliminate dead tissue from the nail plate, creating the base for a flawless product application and ridding you of those pesky hang nails.

Your cuticle is the skin around the base of your nails which protects the matrix (where the nail plate is formed) from bacteria. Maintaining this protective barrier is very important. Here at Devi Maine, I only ever remove dead tissue, never living skin. With your standard mani or pedi, the hands and feet are soaked, and then cuticles pushed back and removed with metal tools, whereas with my High End treatments I perform all the cuticle work dry, using (natural nail) safe bits and an electronic file. The gentle rotating action of the headpiece slowly buffs away the dead skin, allowing complete control and therefore no nasty cuts (ouch!). It can sound scary, especially if you’ve been to a chop shop or untrained technician who has caused damage in the past. But when done properly, and most importantly SAFLEY, stunning results are possible!

In addition to a clean ‘instagram ready’ finish, this High End technique will help to make your nails look and last longer. With no more “dead” skin attached to the nail, your nail bed will appear longer, and the gel or polish can be applied a lot closer to the base of nail, meaning you won’t get that annoying grown out look as fast. Helping you to save time and money!

There are many stories out there about how electric files are bad for your nails. When used incorrectly, this can absolutely be true. Overuse of an electric file, too much pressure or incorrect angles of the file can cause damage like thinning or rings of fire. This is why choosing a licensed nail technician who continues their education is so important. Here at Devi Maine, I pride myself on my continued education and dedication to your natural nail health. (See my multiple certifications below)

I hope this has cleared up what exactly a High End Manicure entails and why I know this technique will really enhance your manicures!

Yes, your manicure really will last up to 4 weeks, and yes the product would last even longer if I let it. I’ve had it last up to 6.5 weeks before, and still look perfect. However, I will not book clients any more than 4 weeks at a time, and here’s why… 

I build the structure (the apex) of your structured manicure into a very specific spot on your nails called the ”stress point”, this assures that as they grow out they have the support they need to not break. However, as your nails grow out, so does the apex. At a certain point the apex has now passed its point of support, and is further down the nail, creating a “tip heavy” structure. When this happens you now have too much product on the end of your nail and not enough in your stress points, leaving your nails susceptible to breaking. For this reason, appointments may not be booked in increments of more than 4 weeks.

Simply, they take more time. Not only are all the elements of the intial manicire included, but the safe removal of product takes additional time. Unlike some salons that peel or pop your nails off or use other unsafe removal practices, I take a slower, safer approach to removing your polish and prepping the nails for your next set. Because of this, rebalances will take a little longer than your innitial appointment, and the price reflects this extra time. 

I am not a quick ‘in and out shop’. 

This level of quality doesn’t happen on a lunch break. I am meticulous in my attention to detail, assuring each client receives top level service and results. My services include all the extras that other salons make you add on. Removal, detailed cuticle work, building the structure of the nails and gel polish are all included in my services. Along with complementary drinks and entertainment of your choice.

My clients come to me for the experience, to escape, they rave about the relaxing experience and superior results. Your appointment is dedicated self care time away from the outside world in the private oasis I have created here at Devi Maine. 

Healthy, fabulous nails take time!

First, and always first here at Devi Maine will be natural nail safety. I will never provide a service without first evaluating if that service is safe for the natural nails. The Structured Manicures can only bee booked on a recurring schedule because maintenance is required to protect the natural nails. I strategically build in structure (the apex) to each set to assure that the natural nail is properly supported as it grows out, this is why everyone has such incredible results. However, if I were to do a structured manicure on a client who only comes in one time, and they leave that set on for longer than it’s intended, as the apex grows out the tip of the nail will become too heavy, potentially causing strain and damage to the natural nail plate as it attempts to counter that weight. For this reason I do not offer one time structured manicures. However, a diamond manicure could be preformed if you are looking to enhance your gel manicure!