Category: D/s, Power Play
Subcategory: Body control

Manicures

Manicures within BDSM involve a dominant controlling the appearance and maintenance of a submissive's nails and hands. This could include selecting nail length, shape, color, and design, as well as establishing hand care routines that the submissive must follow. The dominant may personally perform the manicure or require professional services.

This subtle form of body control symbolizes attention to detail and ownership over even small aspects of the submissive's appearance. Submissives often enjoy the care received and the visible reminder of their submission displayed on their hands. Dominants appreciate influencing their partner's presentation and the ongoing compliance required for maintenance. Despite seeming mundane compared to other BDSM activities, manicures can represent a constant, visible symbol of the power exchange relationship that is present in everyday life.

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This is a description of an activity in the BDSM checklist (also known as a 'kink list'). Want to discover what (more) kinks you might have? Maybe share them with a partner? Start the checklist!

About the category D/s, Power Play

Dominance and submission (D/s) and power play revolve around the consensual exchange of control between partners. This dynamic can manifest in countless ways—from bedroom-only scenarios to comprehensive lifestyle arrangements—all centered on one partner taking a controlling role while the other yields authority within negotiated boundaries.

People are drawn to power exchange for diverse reasons: the freedom found in surrender, the thrill of exercising control, the deep trust required, and the opportunity to explore aspects of themselves not expressed in everyday life. Unlike physical BDSM activities which focus on bodily sensations, D/s emphasizes psychological connection and the erotic potential of power differentials, creating experiences that many find deeply fulfilling on both emotional and sexual levels.

About the subcategory Body control

Body control encompasses activities where one partner directs or restricts the physical actions, positions, or functions of another. This can include position training, movement restrictions, controlled breathing, directed exercise, or regulation of bodily functions like eating, drinking, or bathroom use within consensual boundaries.

People enjoy body control dynamics for the deep level of surrender and authority they create. For the controlled partner, having basic physical autonomy directed by another can create profound submission and mindfulness. For the controlling partner, the responsibility and power to guide another's physical experience offers intense dominance. Many find that externally imposed physical discipline creates a unique mental space where everyday concerns fade and power dynamics become vividly tangible.



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