While both types of manicure focus on shaping the nails and giving a beautiful, polished appearance, the Russian Manicure goes so much further!  The attention to detail in a Russian manicure is incomparable.  A traditional manicure consists of the nails/hands being soaked, followed by the cuticles being pushed back and trimmed if necessary.  Finally, polish is added as the last step.  However, soaking nails can expand/swell the nail bed, and any polish applied to a soaked nail could peel or crack much more quickly than polish applied in a completely dry method.

In a Russian manicure, the entire service is performed on dry hands.   Utilizing a gentle electronic file, the nail technician gently buffs the cuticles and skin around the nails, and then trims away any excess.  The look is clean and absent of any hangnails or dry cuticles.  Such attention to the cuticle means the manicure will last 3-4 weeks (vs. the 2-week longevity of a regular manicure.)

At Gilded Ritual, our Russian Manicure also features polish alignment: a dry technique that will give any nail the illusion of a perfect arch–even if your nails naturally have ridges or grow at an angle, etc.  Your hands will look the most beautiful they have ever looked!

The combination manicure is so-named because our nail technicians will use a combination of methods to give the desired result.  They will use their e-file and will also sometimes use a manual nail file.  The cuticles will receive the same attention and care that our Russian Manicure gives; however, the Combination Manicure does NOT include polish alignment.

Many of our clients come to see us every 4 weeks, but we recommend a cadence of every 3 weeks, just so your nails can stay in their best condition, receive any repair necessary, and so that your cuticles can receive the best grooming and maintenance possible.  Plus, you will probably be ready to rock a new color/style after three weeks! Treat yourself!

 Absolutely!One of our favorite brands is Luxio.  Luxio is odorless, is free of solvents, and is made in Canada, following strict guidelines put in place by both Europe and North America.

We also use The Gel Bottle, another favorite!  The Gel Bottle formulations are made in the UK and are vegan, cruelty-free, and non-toxic; they are also free of formaldehyde, Dibutyl phthalate, toluene, formaldehyde resin, and camphor.

Yes!  We can give you a manicure if you want to keep your nails short–or we can also offer you a manicure with extensions to instantly add length to your nails. 

A manicure will take around an hour and 15 minutes, because of the intricate detail work the technician will perform.  Times will vary, depending on a number of factors.  Please keep in mind that add-ons like fiber gel, french nail design, general nail design, etc. will also take an additional 15 minutes per manicure.

Wear gloves when doing dishes or cleaning.  Apply hand cream/hand lotion often–and also apply cuticle cream or cuticle oil to make sure your cuticles are well-hydrated and cared for.

Most definitely.  Regular care for your nails from a professional nail technician will help keep your nails healthy and strong.  The gel polish adds a layer of protection to the nail bed to allow it to stay healthy.  Additionally, if you want to add even more strength to the nail, we recommend booking a fiber gel add-on to help the natural nail get stronger, longer, and healthier over time.