Beach, sandals, open shoes: on vacation, hands and feet are constantly visible. What to do when — and which treatments are truly worth it.
Why nails deserve special attention before vacation
In daily life, feet hide in closed shoes and hands disappear between keyboard and steering wheel. On vacation, everything changes: sandals, flip-flops, beach photos, poolside — hands and feet are permanently on display. Nothing stands out faster than chipped polish, cracked heels, or unkempt cuticles.
The good news: with the right timing and treatments, you start your vacation with flawless nails — and return with flawless nails. No daily touch-ups, no worrying about peeling polish.
The timeline: when to schedule what
Two weeks before
- Start foot care: If your heels have significant calluses, begin regular exfoliation and a rich foot cream. Apply cream every evening with cotton socks over them — moisture absorbs overnight.
- Cuticle care: Daily nail oil on fingers and toes. Dry, cracked cuticles not only look rough — they can painfully tear with salt water and sand.
- Hair removal: If you plan to have legs and bikini area done — now is the time. Skin needs days to calm before the first beach day.
One week before
- Pedicure appointment: Professional pedicure with callus removal, nail correction, and shellac or gel polish. Five to seven days before departure is ideal.
- Manicure appointment: Shellac or gel manicure. The coating lasts two to three weeks and survives pool, ocean, sunscreen, and sandcastles.
Tip: Book manicure and pedicure as a combo appointment. It saves time, and color matching between hands and feet works on the first try — instead of risking two different shades.
Which manicure for vacation?
Shellac — vacation insurance
Shellac is the top choice for vacations. The coating cures under LED light and is immediately chip-resistant. No smudging, no waiting, no peeling. In the ocean? Holds. At the pool? Holds. Covered in sunscreen? Holds.
Two to three weeks of wear means: you polish before vacation and do not think about it until you return.
Gel polish — when nails need reinforcement
Thin, brittle nails benefit from gel polish, which builds a sturdier layer than shellac. Especially on vacation when nails face more stress from water, sand, and activity.
Classic polish — only for short trips
Regular nail polish lasts three to five days maximum. Fine for a lake weekend, not for two weeks at the beach.
The right pedicure before vacation
Feet that spent all winter in boots and sneakers are rarely vacation-ready. A professional pedicure includes:
- Foot bath to soften skin
- Callus removal — gentle, not down to raw skin
- Nail correction — toenails cut straight across, corners slightly rounded to prevent ingrowth
- Cuticle care
- Shellac or gel polish for two to three weeks of flawless toenails
- Finishing cream or foot mask
Color choice: what works on vacation
| Situation | Recommended colors | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Beach vacation | Coral, red, pink | Contrast with tanned skin, look vibrant in photos |
| City trip | Nude, rosé, milky nudes | Match any outfit, hide minor chipping |
| Active vacation/hiking | Clear base coat or subtle nude | Protective, low-key, no chipping worries |
| Cruise/evening events | Dark red, burgundy, vanilla chrome | Elegant for dinners and cocktails |
What to do for your nails during vacation
- Bring nail oil: Apply once daily to cuticles. Salt and chlorine dry out the skin around nails.
- Sunscreen on hands too: UV bleaches polish and dries skin. Include the backs of your hands.
- Rinse after swimming: Do not leave chlorine or salt residue on skin and nails for hours.
- Glass file for emergencies: If a nail tears, file it smooth immediately before sand and water worsen it.
Vacation manicure and pedicure at MONLIS in Munich
In our studios at Goetheplatz, Karlstraße, and Westpark, we offer special vacation combo appointments: shellac manicure and professional pedicure in one sitting. We advise on color choice, match hands and feet, and give you care tips for the road.
Book your appointment at least one week before departure — slots fill quickly during holiday season.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
Five to seven days before departure is ideal. The manicure is fresh, but you still have a day of buffer if a correction is needed. Shellac and gel polish will last the entire vacation.
Yes. Shellac and gel polish are waterproof and withstand both chlorine and salt water. Frequent swimming may minimally shorten wear time, but the coating stays intact for two to three weeks.
Light tones (nude, rosé, coral) hide minor chipping better than dark colors. For something bolder: red and coral tones look especially good with tanned skin.
If you are wearing open shoes or sandals — yes. Calluses on heels, unkempt cuticles, and overly long toenails are immediately noticeable in sandals. A professional pedicure gets feet in shape and lasts three to four weeks.
A Shellac manicure costs between 35 and 50 euros, and a professional pedicure with Shellac costs between 45 and 65 euros. We offer combined appointments (hands and feet) at a discounted package price.
