The new Brazilian
What it is and why you should try it
By Renee Trilivas, Allure magazineThere is no doubt that Brazilian women are connoisseurs of beauty (see: hair straightening treatments, bikini waxing). So I was super psyched to visit the Maria Bonita Salon & Spa in Soho to experience a cultural first: the Brazilian manicure—a service that promises impossibly glossy, impeccably polished nails, and the solution to my biggest manicure pet peeve (bare, unpolished nail edges). Here, owner Fernanda Lacerda explains the service.
Related: The Top 21 Drugstore Beauty Bargains
What's the difference between a standard mani and a Brazilian?
"It's a more intense manicure. After soaking hands in a paraffin treatment and exfoliating, we remove the cuticles to make the surface of the nail completely flat. Then, instead of applying polish only to the nail, we also paint the surrounding skin to ensure that the polish coats edge of the nail bed to make the manicure last longer. We wrap cotton dipped in nail polish remover around an orange wood stick and wipe away the excess polish on the cuticle area."
Are there any special tools a needed for a Brazilian mani?
"Since Brazilian manicures focus on the cuticles, we use special clippers that come straight from Brazil. They are much sharper so we can easily remove the inner and exposed cuticles and not just hangnails."
Related: The 6 Most Flattering Haircuts for Round Faces
Why do you paint outside the nail area?
"The whole point of the Brazilian manicure is to get right to the edges of the nail. It's more precise, so it lasts longer—especially as the nails begin to grow out."
What tips would you give to someone doing a Brazilian manicure at-home?
"I wouldn't recommend cutting your own cuticles at home, because using the sharp Brazilian clipper right at the nail bed could be dangerous if done incorrectly, so just push the cuticles back with an orange wood stick. Try dipping a pointed cotton bud in nail polish remover to quickly clean up the polish skin."
Why are manicures so important in Brazil?
"In Brazil, manicures are a weekly regimen—people consider it part to be part of their normal routine more than a lifestyle choice. When girls turn 13 in Brazil, they start this regimen that carries on with them through life."
More from Allure:
The 12 Best Eye Creams
Best of Beauty 2012
The 10 Most Gorgeous Hair-Color Ideas for Brunettes
fashion: trends & must-haves for your wardrobe
-
The 8 hottest pedicure shades for summer 2013
That’s right. We said it. These nail polish colors aren’t just sexy—they’re the hottest things you can put on your feet this summer. Now the hard part: choosing one.
-
Ready, set, summer: 11 updates for your beauty routine
Days are getting longer, skirts are getting shorter, and our feet haven’t seen the light of day since the autumnal equinox. A seasonal beauty overhaul is in order.
-
Allure editors’ summer hair-product regimens
There’s no hair hotline for all your summer freakouts—but for every strand, type, and texture, there is an Allure editor who’s tested tons of products (in millions of combinations) to fix any problem. Here, our roundup of tried-and-true hot-weather hair regimens.
-
10 easy summer-hair ideas
When heat and humidity strike, the last thing you want to do is spend an eternity styling your hair, only for it to end in the F word: frizz. But that doesn’t mean you need to settle for a ho-hum hair day. These ten hairstyles are quick, simple, and not the least bit boring.
-
Beyoncé wants you to wear a fancy dress to her shows
She's chosen designer gowns that you can rent from the new Beyoncé Boutique.
-
Hairstyle of the day
Long, layered, medium or wavy – we’re sharing our favorite hairstyles of 2013 with a new ‘do each day. Stuck in a hair rut? Check back daily for snappy new looks that are sure to give your locks some beauty inspiration.
-
The month in hairstyles
Big event? Focus on the outfit, because we’ve got your hair all figured out, whether you’ve got two minutes to do it or 20.
-
The best swimsuit for your body type—yes, yours!
When morning talk shows and local newspapers dole out their seasonal swimsuit shopping advice, I’m usually pretty disappointed by the lack of body types represented. What about the women who don’t resemble fruit? (Or aren’t boy-shaped—the third “one of these things is not like the other” category I’ve never quite understood. Couldn’t they say “banana?” Or is that somehow more offensive than “apple” and “pear” shapes?)
-
35 hair and makeup ideas to try in the warm weather
Ready to refresh your hair and makeup for spring? Well, look no further for your latest batch of inspiration. These ladies are bringing the beauty brilliance with megawatt lipstick shades, sleek haircuts, and must-try hair colors. Get ready to play copycat.
-
Shoe envy
Step into spring with style in June Ambrose's new shoe line for HSN.
-
Office remix
Revamp your corporate look with graphic prints and bold color.
-
5 makeup brushes every woman should own
If you have only five makeup tools in your kit, make sure these are them. They do much more than just look cute on your vanity!
