Natural shine, stronger nails and no polish in sight – that’s what Japanese manicure promises, an ancient technique straight from Japan! If you're after a nail treatment made with natural ingredients that enhances without harming, this could be your next go-to beauty ritual. Let us walk you through everything you need to know about this ever-growing trend: its roots, its benefits and how to master it at home or in a salon!
What is a Japanese manicure?
Definition: origins and principles
Before we dive into the details and benefits of a Japanese manicure, let’s quickly go over what it’s all about.
Also known as the P Shine method, this treatment draws inspiration from age-old techniques used by Japanese aristocracy to achieve healthy, glossy, glowing nails. Unlike Western manicures which focus on decoration and bold colours, this Japanese technique is all about enhancing the nail’s natural beauty by deeply nourishing it. It's a holistic approach to nail care, a true "slow manicure", guided by a precise protocol.
The idea? Use only natural ingredients like beeswax, pearl powder, rice milk, soy, algae extracts, marine minerals or silica from the Sea of Japan! Applied using the layering technique, these ingredients nourish, strengthen and polish the nail, leaving a naturally pearly finish – with zero chemicals. Magic, right?
As you can imagine, this method is ideal for anyone with brittle, soft, splitting or weakened nails, especially after repeated Gel Polish or extensions.
💡 Good to know: Japanese manicure is suitable for everyone – men, women, children, and even pregnant or breastfeeding individuals thanks to its 100% natural formula. If you’re looking for a nail care routine that respects and enhances, this gentle method is very likely for you.
Japanese manicure: a natural ritual for stronger, beautiful nails without polish.
The benefits of Japanese manicure
Let’s take a closer look at the many benefits of a Japanese manicure, because yes – there’s a lot more to it than aesthetics.
Deep care: thanks to its nutrient-rich pastes, it nourishes nails deeply, strengthens the keratin structure and drastically reduces breakage. The ingredients are massaged in for better absorption. Nails become stronger, thicker and regain their natural vitality. It’s a real detox for nails!
The beauty of natural: it boosts natural shine without polish or top coat. Gentle buffing combined with mineral powders creates a radiant pearlescent finish that lasts around two to three weeks! Your nails look healthy and well-groomed, in line with the bare nails trend that celebrates natural beauty.
Better growth: this method stimulates blood circulation at the nail matrix, helping nails grow faster and healthier. And here’s the cherry on top: nourished with plant oils at the end of the ritual, your cuticles protect your matrix even better. The result? Immaculate hands, radiant nails and a respectful routine that never compromises their health.
Natural shine, stronger keratin – Japanese manicure reveals your nails’ authentic beauty.
(@look8thenails)
How to do a Japanese manicure
Salon or at home?
As with any beauty ritual, the question arises: should you do it at home or head to a salon? The good news is that Japanese manicure can be done either way – it all depends on your preference and experience.
In a salon, you’ll benefit from the expertise of a trained professional who uses high-quality products and has mastered the technique, from buffing to application. A typical session lasts 30 to 45 minutes and offers immediate results.
If you'd rather try the Japanese manicure at home (understandable), that’s perfectly doable with the right nail care tools and a little patience. All you need is a complete P Shine professional kit with everything required: buffers, nourishing paste, mineral powder and a plant-based cuticle oil. Why do it at home? It’s budget-friendly and gives you the freedom to refresh the treatment as often as needed to maintain that luminous finish.
Steps to a successful Japanese manicure
To guide you through the process, here’s our step-by-step breakdown for a flawless Japanese manicure. Each stage matters:
1. Prep: Remove all traces of polish using a gentle remover. File your nails to your desired shape. Then thoroughly cleanse your hands and nails to remove any impurities.
2. Buffing: Use a multi-sided buffer, starting with the roughest side to gently exfoliate the nail plate and remove dead skin cells. This step smooths ridges, opens up the keratin scales and prepares the nail for treatment. It also boosts cell exchange and prevents splitting.
3. Apply the nourishing paste: Massage a paste enriched with beeswax, plant oils and natural actives into each nail. This nourishing blend penetrates deeply, strengthens the nail structure and forms a protective barrier that seals in keratin. Massage with your fingertips to stimulate circulation.
4. Apply the mineral powder: Using a piece of chamois, apply a superfine powder made with vitamins, minerals, pearl powder and algae extracts. This powder enhances the nail's natural glow without any polish. Buff for about a minute to achieve a pristine pearlescent finish.
5. Hydrate the cuticles: Finish with a massage using a nourishing oil to deeply hydrate the cuticles and reinforce the nail’s natural protective barriers. Your nails are now polished, fortified and radiant for two to three weeks.
Enjoy the benefits of Japanese manicure with the P Shine kit – at home or in the salon.
(@latelierdesrouges, @nailcoutureparis)
Japanese manicure, the Manucurist way
At Manucurist, we celebrate natural beauty with nail care products that are bio-based and vegan, designed to respect your nails’ integrity. Here’s our routine for the perfect Japanese-inspired manicure, the Manucurist way:
👌 Prep
Start by prepping your nails: file them using a nail file for natural nails and soften your cuticles with a little Cuticle Softener before gently pushing them back. Next, exfoliate the nail plate with our Glycolic Peeling to remove dead cells. Then smooth the surface using our Buffer sponges, moving perpendicularly to erase imperfections and open up the keratin layers.
Exfoliate and nourish your nails with layering using Manucurist care essentials.
🧱 Layering
Follow up with our iconic trio of treatments: Complete Serum for intense hydration, Nourishing Cuticle Oil to deeply nourish, and Pink Balm to seal in moisture and provide lasting protection. Wrap your hands in a warm, damp towel (oshibori in Japanese tradition) and gently massage to encourage circulation and help the actives absorb fully.
For particularly weakened nails, apply the Nail Strengthening Serum, an intensive treatment packed with plant-based keratin, biotin and silica to reinforce and regenerate nail structure.
Our Japanese-style Detox manicure protocol in video format.
✨ The Manucurist bonus
If you'd like to add a touch of glow while prolonging the benefits of your treatment, go for our Active™ nail care polishes. Opt for mirror shine with Active Glow™, a smoothing CC finish with Active™ Smooth, or a pearly sheen with Active™ Shine, Bright or Plump – the choice is yours!
The final touch with our Active™ range: Smooth, Glow, Shine, Plump… which one will you choose?
Now you know all the secrets behind the Japanese manicure. Let yourself be tempted by this gentle ritual, a pioneer in the world of slow beauty. Turn your manicure routine into a moment of self-care, inspired by the purest Japanese traditions 🥰🎎
