A published BARON design photo, not a complete booking-photo template. Send your own current nails, including clear views of both thumbs and a side view when needed.

Your saved design shows what you would like next. Photos of your own nails show the starting point. When enquiring about a BARON appointment before your Japan trip, keep those two sets of pictures separate so the salon can discuss removal, added length and your requested design with the right context.

A photograph cannot reliably identify an existing nail product or confirm which service can be performed. It helps start the conversation; the salon may need more information or an in-person assessment.

Start with a clear view of each hand

Take one photo of your left hand and one of your right, with the nails visible and in focus. Include the thumbs rather than letting them disappear behind the other fingers. If a thumb is hard to show in the group photo, add a separate picture.

Use a plain background and even light. Check the image before sending: can you see each nail from the base to the tip? If glare hides a section, change the angle and take another photo. Avoid beauty filters or edits that smooth away visible details.

You do not need a styled manicure photo. The purpose is to show what is currently there, not to make every nail look identical.

Add a side view when length or raised details matter

A top view can hide how far a nail extends beyond the fingertip or how high a decoration sits. Add a side view if you currently have extensions or raised parts, or if you want to keep a particular length.

Label the image rather than expecting the recipient to identify the hand from the camera angle. For example:

  • “Current nails: my left hand, top view.”
  • “Current nails: my right hand, top view.”
  • “Current nails: my left index finger, side view.”

There is no universal required photo count. Start with the views that explain your situation and ask whether the salon needs anything else.

Point out differences between nails

If one finger has a different length or product from the others, name it. “My right index nail is shorter; I want to discuss making the lengths look more even” is clearer than “Please fix this.”

Describe only what you know. You can say that one nail has no product while the others have a salon set, or that you want to change the overall length. Do not remove, file or alter the existing set just to improve the photo.

If you want the salon to look at one particular area, send both the whole-hand image and a closer view with the finger identified. Photographs are not a medical assessment or a promise that a cosmetic service will be suitable.

Add product information without guessing

Write the material or system name only if you know it. If you do not, “material unknown” is useful information. You can include the previous salon's service name or product information if available, keeping the original wording alongside any translation.

If sharing a receipt or booking screenshot, crop out unrelated personal and payment information. The relevant detail is the service or product, not the rest of the document.

A long nail is not automatically acrylic, and a glossy surface does not establish a particular gel system. Use the guide to booking with existing gel or acrylic to explain what you want afterward: removal only, a new gel design, or new extensions.

Keep “now” and “next” in separate groups

Send your current-nail images first, labeled “NOW,” followed by the desired design labeled “NEXT.” Add the date the current photos were taken. If your nails change before the appointment, send an updated photo and explain what changed.

For example:

“NOW: photos of my hands taken on [date]. The material is unknown. NEXT: this design reference, but without added length. Please advise what service I should book.”

This prevents a reference picture from being mistaken for your present set. For choosing and labeling inspiration, read how to prepare a nail-design reference.

Send the photos with one practical question

“Hello! I am considering BARON [branch] on [date/time in Japan]. These are photos of my current nails taken on [date]. The material is [confirmed name/unknown]. I would like [desired result], shown in the separate reference. Could you advise which service to request and whether you need more information before booking?”

Use official LINE or official Instagram DM, and identify your preferred location:

BARON is women-only. Some staff speak English and translation apps can help, but ask about language support for your appointment. Check the proposed service, estimated total and time needed before finalizing your plans. Sending photos does not reserve a slot or confirm that an existing set can be accepted.