Are you considering a DIY Russian manicure? Here's what you need to know
If you've never used an electric nail file, professional assistance is highly recommended
I’ve come a long way with electric nail files, specifically pet Dremel tools. I went from my dog hiding behind a couch pillow when I tried to clip her nails to her walking right up to me, swiping her paw across my arm and marching to the kitchen cabinet where her Dremel is. It is the most unsubtle, comical way to ask for a mani-pedi, but she has done it one too many times to be coincidental.
That, or she starts aggressively scratching the carpet I placed in one of her crates. If I see her doing it and know it’s not to get comfortable, I start walking toward the kitchen. If my guess is right, she follows me as I pull out her dog bag. As soon as she sees the soft-padded muzzle, she shoves her snout in the opening and sits down. (I used the muzzle in the early days so she wouldn’t try to bite the Dremel. Nowadays, I skip the muzzle 50% of the time. I treat it like an optional dog coat.)
When I saw Russian manicures trending on TikTok, Junee (my Hound mix) was the first image that popped into my mind. Unlike manual dog nail clippers, a Dremel works much faster and I’m not playing guessing games.
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Is a Dremel for dogs similar to an electric filer for humans?
Sorta. With a Dremel for dogs, the grinder on the rotary tool will shorten the nail gradually. (I tried manual dog nail clippers before. I was done with those things after one try. My dog’s nail started bleeding, and I tapped out.) With a Dremel, we have a system down where she holds her paw still. When I get too close to the quick, she stiffens and moves her paw away. I move to the next nail. No styptic powder needed. No towels. I even have an option to use a nail guard attachment and switch the speed settings. The only thing Junee walks away with is shorter nails, homemade dog treats or a baby carrots.
Can you give yourself a Russian manicure at home with an electric nail file?
I suppose you could. I, personally, went to a dog groomer first so I could see how electric nail files work, how long the dog’s nails should be when they’re done and to get some grooming tips. I strongly recommend letting a professional human manicurist do a Russian manicure first to watch the process before doing this on your own.
For the same reason I went to a beauty salon for several years before testing out perming my own hair, which I have been doing since I was about 13 years old and made side money doing it for family members and college friends, I made a point of learning what I was doing correctly so I wouldn’t ruin somebody’s hair or scalp.
Three decades, no hair accidents! Ironically, I got three scalp burns while being styled by a couple of professional beauticians in my early childhood years. Around my pre-teen years, I would speak up more about when and what brands to use, not sitting there while letting “the perm set in” and not doing four-week-touchups. My hair immediately started growing much healthier, and the scalp burns were nonexistent.
No one knows your hair, your nails or your body better than you. You’re living in them all day long. This is why my dog is so comfortable with me filing her nails. She knows I’m watching and listening to her reactions instead of just telling her what the final product should look like. Same goes for why my grandfather, who lived to be 95, trusted me to give him pedicures when he was no longer limber enough to clip his own nails. I watched my grandfather’s reactions and proceeded until he started gushing over how “pretty my feet look without turning blue.” (I don’t know why, but I was obsessed with painting my toes periwinkle and deep blue. Every single time I walked around barefoot, he’d go, “Your nails are blue” like I had no idea. I still like these colors but not as much as I did in my 30s.)
How do you give yourself a Russian manicure?
(Note: While the rest of this post is written exclusively by Shamontiel, the tools and instructions for a DIY Russian manicure have been reviewed and edited from ChatGPT. The remaining text underneath the directions is Shamontiel, not AI.)
Tools You’ll Need
Electric nail file (e-file)
Cuticle and smoothing bits (diamond or carbide)
Fine sanding bands
Cuticle nippers or scissors (optional)
Base coat, gel polish and top coat
Cuticle oil
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Russian Manicure Step-By-Step Instructions
Sanitize hands and tools.
Remove old nail polish.
Lightly buff the nail surface to remove shine.
With the electronic nail file, select a fine diamond bit designed for cuticle cleaning.
Set the e-file to low speed.
Gently push back and lift the cuticle by running the bit around the nail plate edge.
Use a flame or ball bit to remove excess cuticle.
Switch to a sanding band or a fine bit to smooth the nail plate near the cuticle.
If necessary, use nippers — or small scissors — to trim any lifted or loose cuticle. (Do not cut live skin.)
File nails to the desired shape.
Buff the surface lightly to smooth imperfections.
Use a lint-free wipe with isopropyl alcohol to remove dust and oils.
Apply a thin base coat and cure under an LED/UV lamp.
Apply gel color in thin layers, curing each layer.
Finish with a top coat and cure.
Apply cuticle oil to nourish the skin.
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What is the main difference between a Dremel and an electric nail file?
I used my dog’s Dremel one time (on a low setting) just to see how it felt. My nail was shortened so quickly that I realized why the amount of time spent on one nail matters as much as pressure. It didn’t hurt. It was just overkill. While a Dremel for dogs doesn’t have the same pressure as a traditional Dremel intended for wood, metal and crafting, it’s still too strong for delicate human nails — unless the attachments are changed.
Electric nail files for humans are more precise and have a lower vibration. (If you’re a pet owner, you already know how sensitive dogs are to sound. So having a quiet Dremel is necessary to begin with.) Human electric nail files are also more precise when it comes to shaping, smoothing, buffing and filing. If done correctly, the nails won’t be damaged. Consider getting a professional Russian manicure first to understand how an electronic nail file should be used. Pay attention to pressure.
If I’m uncomfortable with giving myself a DIY Russian manicure, what can I do from home?
You should always make sure your hands and nails are properly moisturized. Basic maintenance like clipping and filing your nails can easily be done at home. Same goes for using cuticle oil a few times a week to avoid dry skin and hang nails.
Recommended Read: “The battle with dry cuticles ~ Stop covering your hands, just fix your nails”
If you find that using an electric nail filer is way more intense than you intended, there’s nothing wrong with going back to the tried-and-true emery board nail files (including emery boards for gel and acrylic nails) and leaving your fingers in soapy water for a few minutes. (Some people have tried hydrogen peroxide and baking soda for nail cleaning, but that’s not necessary unless there’s some kind of nail fungi.) Soap and water is totally fine on its own. Manicure sticks — or orange sticks — work well too. Then, leave the Russian manicures to the pros.
Did you enjoy this post? You’re also welcome to check out my Substack columns “Black Girl In a Doggone World,” “BlackTechLogy,” “Homegrown Tales,” “I Do See Color,” “One Black Woman’s Vote” and “Window Shopping” too. Subscribe to this newsletter for the monthly post on the third Thursday. Thanks for reading!