What Are Russian Manicures?
A russian manicure actually has very little to do with nail art, and everything to do with the nail prep. "A russian manicure is a technique, not a design," says Gerstein. "The technique involves very extreme and extensive cuticle care [and requires a manicurist] to have almost surgeon-like precision."
The attention to detail and cuticle clean-up is what differentiates this manicure from others, along with the fact that there is "no hand filing whatsoever. [All cuticle clean up] is done with an e-file." While russian manicures use both normal and gel polishes, if using a gel, manicurists take extra time to make sure that they properly structure the gel polish on the nail, so that it best strengthens the nail bed.
How Long Do Russian Manicures Lasts?
While typical manicures last up to one to two weeks, russian manicures are said to have "three to four weeks" of longevity, Gerstein says.
Many manicurists tout that a russian manicure can last up to five weeks, but Gerstein does not recommend keeping the nail polish on for that long. "The growth of your nail becomes so top heavy with the material that's on your nail that if you bump it, you can knock your nail right off the matrix, which is the part that you never want to damage."