Manucurist Founder Champions ”Skin-First” approach to Nail Care
NEW YORK – Manucurist founder Gaëlle Lebrat Personnaz is advocating for a paradigm shift in nail care, positioning nails not as mere accessories but as extensions of skin deserving of the same attentive routine. “Your nails are just as sensitive as your skin,” Personnaz told ET, explaining that, “Like our skin, nails are exposed to environmental stress, lifestyle habits, and daily wear. You wouldn’t apply a glowing foundation to damaged skin, and the same logic applies here.”
Personnaz emphasizes meticulous readiness as the foundation for a perfect manicure. Her recommended process includes filing in one direction, softening cuticles with an emollient, gently buffing the nail surface, and cleansing with a mild remover. She then advises a thin base coat,two layers of color,and a protective topcoat.
The brand’s Active treatment range offers polishes formulated to function as serums,allowing for layered application to achieve customized finishes. “You can wear them solo, but the real fun is in the layering. Apply one, two, or even three together to create different finishes, just like you would with your makeup routine. It’s nail care that plays like beauty,” Personnaz stated.
For a salon-quality finish or a contemporary aesthetic,Personnaz recommends the Green flash collection. She draws inspiration from fashion, design, art, and travel, believing a nail color should evoke emotion. currently, she highlights the reimagined French manicure, characterized by “micro, upside-down, multicolored and textured pearl, glazed, or glossy tips.”
Personnaz views a manicure as a transformative detail. “A manicure is that little detail that changes everything. Like a great pair of shoes or a gorgeous bag, it completes your look. Well-groomed nails show that you care about yourself and it gives your confidence,” she noted.
To maintain nail health, Personnaz integrates hydration and targeted treatments into her routine. She extends skincare product application to her hands and utilizes the brand’s Rose New Balm for cuticle and hand hydration, and also lip care. She also carries a glass nail file and the Complete Nail serum for travel,and applies cuticle oil before bed.
