Why the naked manicure should be on your radar

Do your nails need some serious TLC? Then maybe it’s time to give them a break from gels or regular polish. But this doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your manicure all together. There’s a new trend in nail treatments that’s all about embracing the look of your natural nails - without having to forgo the chic look of a manicure.
RELATED: Our editors favourite nail polish shades
RELATED: Everything you need to know about gel nails
Beauty expert and official manicurist for Chanel Australia, Jocelyn Petroni, offers the treatment in her Sydney based salon and says that aside from the results being very aesthetically pleasing, the long-term benefits are what’s really convincing clients to ditch the polish all together.
We spoke to Jocelyn to find out exactly what the Naked Manicure is, plus how to get similar results at-home.
What is a Naked Manicure?
“The Naked Manicure is a conditioning nail treatment that repairs and strengthens the nails,” explains Jocelyn. But it’s more than just your typical nail treatment. “Rather than applying polish the nail plate is buffed to a high shine glass-like finish and nourished with Rescu RX’s new keratin treatment. The treatment is completely personalised to your own individual nail concerns, which makes it unique from the common manicure. “This treatment thoroughly and meticulously trims the cuticles and includes tailored nail and cuticle shaping specific to your nail bed and hand shape,” says Jocelyn
Why is the Naked Manicure so popular?
According to Jocelyn, the Naked Manicure is recommended for all of her first time manicure clients to ensure that their nails are at optimal health. “Our clients love the long lasting results, which are cumulative with every treatment along with the elegance and lady like finish,” she says.
Who is the perfect candidate for a Naked Manicure?
In a nutshell, everyone can benefit from a Naked Manicure, even if your nails are already strong and healthy. “Women and men love this treatment because they have never experienced a detailed manicure that focuses on cleaning and repairing,” explains Jocelyn.
Do you recommend Naked Pedicures too?
Yes, there are Naked Pedicures too and Jocelyn insists that they are just as necessary. “The toes are often in polish year round so it’s great to give them a breath of fresh air without polish and also allow them time to heal and repair,” she says. So how is the Naked Pedicure different to the Naked Manicure? “The Naked Pedicure removes every trace of dry dead skin using a drill specifically created for smoothing the soles of the feet. The treatment finishes with a firm pressure point massage so feet feel light and rejuvenated,” says Jocelyn.
Are there any downsides to a Naked Manicure?
“The only downside is that you don’t get to choose a coloured polish, but the benefits outweigh this and are much longer lasting than nail polish,” says Jocelyn.
How often do you recommend getting a Naked Manicure or Naked Pedicure?
If you’re interested in trying the Naked Manicure or Naked Pedicure in salon, Jocelyn recommends the Naked Manicure ($70) every 2 weeks for 6 consecutive treatments and the Naked Pedicure ($100) once annually.
How can we try a DIY Naked Manicure at home?
If the Naked Manicure or Naked Pedicure sounds up your alley, but you’re not quite sure if you want to visit the salon just yet, here are Jocelyn’s tips on how to get the look at-home.
- Remove polish and file nails into a short soft square shape.
- Soak nails in warm water and then use your thumb nail to push back your cuticles (this also works well in the shower when your cuticles are nice and soft).
- Using cuticle clippers gently trim cuticle dead skin.
- Buff to a high shine finish.
- Massage in cuticle oil to your cuticles and a rich hand cream all over to finish.
For someone who has nail damage from Shellac or SNS, how can they get their nails back in good condition?
Nails in terrible shape from too many Shellac or SNS appointments? We’ve all been there. Jocelyn recommends having regular manicures without Shellac, SNS or even nail lacquer applied. “Stop wearing polish and allow the nail plates to breathe and naturally repair,” suggests Jocelyn. She also recommends applying the CND Rescu RXx nail treatment every night before bed for an overnight treatment to repair damage.
What do you think will be the next big trend in nail care?
“Natural lady-like manicures that are elegant and sophisticated,” says Jocelyn.
bh loves: CND Rescu RXx ($35, cndshop.com.au), L’OCCITANE Shea Nail & Cuticle Nourishing Oil, Mavala Nail Buffer/Shine Kit, Manicare Nail Shapers
To find out more about the naked manicure or visit the Jocelyn Petroni Sydney based salon, click here.
Would you try a naked manicure? Do you always wear nail polish or do you like to leave your nails bare?
Have you tried any of the products mentioned above?
Review them now to earn points that you can swap for free beauty products in RewardsRoom.
41 Member Comments
Sounds nice. Not the naked part, the look.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Having the keratin formula customised to each individual would make this naked manicure worthwhile.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Sounds good but I'm sure I would be tempted to choose a nailpolish defeating the purpose of a naked mani.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Oooo my nails could use some TLC, I'm definitely trying the DIY naked mani at home this weekend!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
This sounds great and must try it. I hate the way that nails go yellow after a bit of nail polish wear.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I am definitely going to find a salon that does this! Great for them to offer this, I can't do gel or SNS because they keep peeling off after a few days ( itchy fingers me)
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
This would be great for those of us who want a break from acrylic nails!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I already do the DIY one so I am good. No need to go for 6 treatments :)
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Definitely going to give the DIY version a crack!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I would definitely try this if it helps to strengthen my weak nails.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
My nails are bare most of the time. Just atm wearing BarryM sparkles received at BH b-Day event (man, loving the sparkles, my fave 'polish' so far!), it is amazing ♥
Love the sound of this mani, shiny glossy strong nails - yes!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I have been doing some thing like this for years.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
think Ill incorporate this into my next pamper session. Love these tips thank you
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
My nails definitely need this..
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
My nails could definitely benefit from this, but I love colour too much
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Ive not heard of this before but does sound like a good option as my nails would normally chip so quickly
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
CND Rescu RXx nail treatment is a product I read about a while ago, but then I forgot about it. I might do some more research on it.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
great idea, have a break from all those chemicals!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
This manicure sounds great as I like to keep my nails bare most of the times.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Wow, I thought this sounded great but 6 treatments at $70 each is a lot of money and time!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Never heard of this until today! Thanks for the info BH!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
my manicure never last long enough.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I love the sound of this!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I like the sounds of stronger nails. I'm not generally a go to get a manicure type but this is something I'd try and I'd paint them nude also for minimal maintenance.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Sounds wonderful!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0