In Selmeston, the Manicure professionals listed here also serve the nearby towns of Lower Dicker, Laughton en le Morthen, Firle, Whitesmith. Contact any of them directly on WhatsApp — no middleman, no commission.
About Manicure
Classic, gel, or shellac: which one to pick
Classic polish dries in air and lasts about 4 to 5 days without chips. Gel polish cures under UV or LED and holds 10 to 14 days. Shellac is a softer gel hybrid, easier on the nail plate, but the base coat must be soaked off, not filed.
Time required for an at-home session
Plan 40 minutes for a classic polish, 60 minutes for gel, and 80 minutes for shellac or builder gel extensions. Add 10 minutes if both hands and feet are booked. Professionals need a ventilated spot, a flat surface at chair height, and access to at least 2 electrical outlets for lamps and tools.
What to ask before hiring
Ask if they are licensed in your area, which products they use, and whether tools are autoclaved or single-use. Confirm whether gel removal is included in future visits or billed as an extra service. Request the exact travel fee for your address.
Sanitation and hygiene standards
Tools that contact broken skin, such as nippers and cuticle pushers, must be sterilised in an autoclave or hospital-grade disinfectant for at least 10 minutes. Non-porous implements can be wiped with 70 % isopropyl alcohol between clients. Disposable items like files, buffers, and orange sticks should be opened in front of you.
What usually goes wrong
The most common issue is lifting gel within 3 days, caused by oily nail plates or thick application. Bleeding cuticles happen when nippers are dull. White spots appear when nails stay wet too long. If polish chips within 24 hours, the base coat was likely skipped.
Price factors you should know
Rates depend on polish brand, technique, and add-ons. Classic polish starts lower than gel, while builder gel or extensions can cost 2 to 3 times more. Add-ons like nail art, French tips, or removal of old gel add 10 to 20 minutes and a fixed surcharge. Travel distance and last-minute bookings also raise the final bill.
When to skip the appointment
Reschedule if you have open cuts near the nail, an active fungal infection, or fresh gel that was applied less than 2 weeks ago. Pregnant clients can book normally, but ask for a well-ventilated room if strong acrylic or acetone smells are a concern.
What a manicure actually includes
A standard manicure includes nail shaping, cuticle work, hand soaking, cuticle removal, and polish application. Some pros add a short hand massage with cream or oil. Ask if hard gel or acrylics are part of the price or counted separately before booking.
Classic, gel, or shellac polish
Classic polish dries in air and usually chips within 3 to 5 days. Gel polish needs a 36 to 48 W UV or LED lamp and lasts 14 to 21 days without peeling. Shellac is a softer gel-hybrid, removed in about 8 minutes with pure acetone, while classic gel needs 15 minutes of soaking and foil wraps.
Tools the professional should bring
The pro should carry a sterilized metal file, a cuticle pusher, nippers, a buffer block, bowls for soaking, and a portable LED lamp for gel. Files and buffers are single-use. Reusable metal tools must arrive in an autoclave bag that is opened in front of you.