Manicure in the three weeks

There are a few aspects to this question: polishing nails, cutting them, and the professional manicure experience.

Polishing: A woman’s standard cosmetic routine is considered a form of basic grooming, and not a matter of excess joy, so polishing nails is permissible throughout this period.

Cutting: Some have the custom of refraining from cutting nails during the actual week of Tish’a Be-Av, but there is no constraint beforehand or on the Friday of that week, in honor of Shabbat. There’s also no constraint on cutting nails at any point in anticipation of mikveh immersion.

Professional Manicure: For some women, a professional manicure is routine, in which case there would be no issue during the three weeks or nine days. For others, it is a special pampering treat, in which case it could be an issue during the nine days.

Taking all of these factors into account, it would seem that a woman who would like to get a manicure during the three weeks would ideally do so before the nine days, or at least before shavua she-chal bo. But this is not a hard and fast rule, and depends on personal habits and communal custom (and scheduling needs).

Learn more about appearance and grooming at this time of year here.

See more Q&A here.