Leigh Toselli’s 2005 book promises to be a guide to nail care, but does it deliver? After spending time with it, the conclusion is that it’s merely “okay,” offering little beyond what a dedicated online search can already provide. While the book suggests dipping nails in sliced lemon for 15 seconds bleaches them, this didn’t hold true in practice. The images are clear and helpful, but not particularly outstanding. Beyond manicures and pedicures, the book touches on common skin and nail ailments and their treatments.
The book provides some useful information regarding manicures and pedicures. It breaks down the steps involved and gives advice on how to achieve a professional finish at home. However, the lack of innovative techniques or groundbreaking information leaves a void. It’s a decent starting point for a complete novice, but experienced individuals will likely find it redundant.
A few elements of the book are troubling, although they do not necessarily impact the rating. The opening paragraph focuses on preventing hands from “looking old,” which feels like an appeal to insecurities. While acknowledging the societal pressure to look youthful, it’s important to remember all hands are valuable and should be cared for, regardless of age. Pride in your body is not limited by age.
The author’s perspective on nail art is another downside. It’s portrayed as “impractical,” with a small section dedicated to extremely long nails needed for such “freakish” styles. This diminishes an entire art form and seems out of place in a comprehensive nail care guide.
However, the issues mentioned above did not ultimately determine the rating. Beauty guides often play on insecurities, and the expectation wasn’t for this book to deviate from that norm. This book focuses on basic manicures and pedicures, not necessarily advanced nail art techniques.
Despite its shortcomings, Toselli’s book does offer clear visuals and instructions for basic nail care. However, the ageist language and dismissive attitude towards nail art may deter some readers. Overall, the book is a decent introduction, but falls short of being a comprehensive and empowering guide to nail care. You can find much of the same advice, and perhaps more inclusive and updated methods, online with a bit of research.
