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What does a Manicurist do?

Photo of Brenna Goyette
Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Published 3 min read

A manicurist is a professional who provides nail care services. This can include filing, shaping, and polishing the nails, as well as providing treatments such as cuticle care and hand massage.

Manicurist job duties include:

  • Cleaning and shaping the nails
  • Applying polish
  • Decorating nails with paint, gems, or glitter
  • Massaging and moisturizing the hands and arms
  • Removing old polish
  • Providing hand and foot scrubs
  • Giving paraffin treatments
  • Trimming cuticles
  • Polishing nails

Manicurist Job Requirements

A manicurist is a professional who provides cosmetic treatments for the nails and hands. There are no formal education requirements to become a manicurist, but most complete a vocational program at a cosmetology school. Many states require manicurists to be licensed, which typically involves completing a certain number of hours of training and passing an exam. Some manicurists may also choose to obtain certification from professional organizations, such as the National Association of Barber Boards of America (NABBA). Manicurists typically need several years of experience to develop the skills necessary to be successful in the profession.

Manicurist Skills

  • Patience
  • Communication
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Organizational skills
  • Time management
  • People skills
  • Physical stamina
  • Manual dexterity
  • Visual assessment
  • Artistic ability
  • Creativity
  • Focus

Related: Top Manicurist Skills: Definition and Examples

How to become a Manicurist

A manicurist is a professional who takes care of people's hands and nails. They are responsible for making sure that the nails are clean, trimmed, and free of any polish or other decorations. In some cases, they may also be responsible for applying polish or other decorations to the nails.

Becoming a manicurist requires completing a cosmetology program at a vocational school or community college. The length of the program varies by state, but most programs take about six months to complete. After completing the program, you will need to pass a state-licensed exam in order to become a licensed manicurist.

Working as a manicurist can be very rewarding. You will have the opportunity to make people feel good about themselves and help them relax. If you are interested in becoming a manicurist, start by researching cosmetology programs in your area.

Related: Manicurist Resume Example

Related: Manicurist Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

Editorial staff

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Editor

Brenna Goyette

Expert Verified

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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