When should a practitioner give a client a massage during a manicure?

The most appropriate time for a practitioner to give a client a massage during a manicure is before applying polish. This is because performing a massage prior to polish application allows for relaxation and improves blood circulation to the hands. It also prepares the skin and nails for the subsequent steps in the manicure process, ensuring that the client feels comfortable and pampered. Moreover, massage helps relieve tension and can enhance the overall experience for the client.

If massage were performed after polishing, it could disturb the finished look, smudging the polish and potentially ruining the aesthetic achieved during the manicure. Similarly, massaging during the filing process or before cutting cuticles could interfere with the effectiveness of those procedures or lead to discomfort if nails or cuticles are being manipulated directly afterward. Thus, positioning the massage before the polish application maximizes both client satisfaction and the integrity of the manicure's final appearance.