Manicure

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 is filed with a nail file; the free edge of the nail is cut, the cuticle is treated, the person's hand is massaged and nail polish is put on.

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.

• Nail art
• Acetone