Cement and Roger Saints are inseparable, it seems. When the young Bermudian began his working life in construction, cement was the all-important ingredient which held buildings together. Today, he still works with cement, but this time it holds artificial fingernails in place -- and it's a good deal kinder to the hands! As Bermuda's only male nail technician, Mr. Saints has become used to people's initial dismay when they learn of his unusual career, and it doesn't bother him a bit.

"First they say, `Oh, wow!' but once they get over the initial shock they say, `It's about time men got into the profession'. In fact, a lot of clients tell me they prefer having a man do their nails,'' he related.

Growing up, the last thing Mr. Saints ever dreamed he would become was a nail technician, nor did it enter his mind when he began life as a construction worker, but he also knew that that occupation wasn't something he wanted to do for the rest of his life.

It was his mother, Mary, who actually provided the impetus for change.

"Construction was taking a lot out of me, and when she told me she was going to open her own nail business, I said I would give her a hand,'' Mr. Saints said.

First, however, he had to gain the necessary skills, and once an appropriate school was located in Cape Cod, Mr. Saints set off on a intensive five-month training course to prepare him for his chosen career.

Admittedly nervous at entering what was traditionally a woman's profession, Mr. Saints soon discovered that he was also the only male in his class, and the first his teacher had taught.

But no matter. He quickly settled down and tackled a wide range of subjects, including physiology, bacteriology, professional ethics, chemistry, manicuring and nail art.

"We began with the basics -- the structure of the nail and hands, and went on to the chemistry of products in order to avoid using things which the customer may be allergic to, and so forth.'' Mr. Saints explained that the nail is comprised of three parts -- the visible part, the root and the bed.

Noting that women popularly demand long nails, Mr. Saints said that it was the matrix (the living part of the nail beneath the cuticle) which determined shape and length, and whether nails grew properly or not.

"If the matrix is damaged it will be like that for the rest of a person's life, and if it's damaged badly enough the nail won't grow any more. There is nothing you can do to rectify that,'' he said.

When it came to manicures, the Bermuda student learned everything from "the important bones and blood vessels in the arms and hands'' to shaping nails, pushing back cuticles, applying polish and massaging the hands.

While serious hand and nail diseases would be referred to medical professionals, Mr. Saints said he was also trained to treat minor problems, such as hang nails, himself.

Because the demand for long, eye-catching nails has caused the artificial nail industry to skyrocket, an important part of Mr. Saints' course -- and business -- was learning how to apply and maintain them.

"First, the nail extensions are trimmed down to the customer's desired length, then we mix a two-part acrylic paste, and apply it over the whole nail surface, taking great care that there are no imperfections or bubbles. When the surface hardens, it is filed and buffed to pristine smoothness before the polish is applied.

"The process takes 60-90 minutes, and is very exacting. If a mistake is made, it takes quite a bit of time and work to correct it,'' Mr. Saints explained.

He also revealed that, contrary to what most people think, nail varnish actually takes about eight hours to dry completely.

Because his mother excels at nail art, Mr. Saints found this facet of his training particularly interesting, for it is here that the imagination runs free in order to create an eye-catching "look'' on nail extensions.

Everything from tiny strips of foil to fake jewels, feathers, lace and glittery paint are used to create unique designs. Brides might choose tiny rhinestones and white lace, for example; a sports lover might choose a related equipment design, an animal lover a household pet or jungle dweller, and a mathematician a geometric design.

In fact, at their salon, the Saints are even offering a wide range of Cup Match designs, including club colours and a wickets, bat and ball combination, each of which is painstakingly painted by hand.

But what of stories that wearers of nail extensions ultimately wind up with infected fingernails? "Whenever you put anything artificial on natural nails, they will soften,'' Mr. Saints explained, "but if the natural nail has a hard coating on top of it, that coating protects the underneath nail from every day things. Which is why women must come in every two weeks for fill-ins where the natural nail has grown out.

"It is when women don't have regular fill-ins, and the extensions start to lift, letting moisture get underneath, that a fungus or bacteria can form. My mother has had her extensions for three years and she's never had any trouble.'' Natural nails must also be kept clean, Mr. Saints noted, to further reduce the risk of infection.

In addition to all the technical skills he acquired, Mr. Saints learned the secrets of a successful personality.

"You have to know how to approach a client, and how to greet them. You must be friendly but not familiar, diplomatic, and also stay neutral,'' he said.

"Some women want to talk and others don't. Sometimes they tell you what's wrong or bothering them in their lives. You listen, but you don't become involved.'' In fact, Mr. Saints said, there are drawbacks to a very talkative client.

"Sometimes it's hard to even listen because you are concentrating on what you are doing. You don't want to be rude, but you also want your client to go out with nice-looking nails,'' he explained.

And at the end of the day, that's what Mr. Saints is all about. "A woman likes to look good. When her hair and nails are done she feels good. It makes me feel good inside when a client is pleased with her nails and she looks nice,'' he smiled.

As well as basking in the pleasure of happy clients, Mr. Saints also rejoices in a string of diplomas he earned at the end of his training. Not only did the lone male student graduate at the top of his class with 98 percent overall and become the only student to gain a Superior rating for sculptured nails, but he also passed the Massachusetts state board's examinations, earning him a licence to work as a nail technician in that state.

For now, however, Roger Saints is perfectly happy to ply his trade in Bermuda, alongside the mother who inspired him and with whom he enjoys "a great working relationship,'' and to share good times with his girlfriend.

GIVE ME A HAND! -- Nail technician Mr. Roger Saints works his magic with nail extensions on a client. Over an hour of painstaking effort goes into creating the eye-catching hands she will ultimately leave with.