How to Do Your Own French Manicure at Home

Give yourself a beautiful French manicure at home.

A French manicure gives your nails a classy, polished finish that pairs well with any look. The classic French manicure involves white nail tips and either a clear or pink nail bed. If price is an obstacle to you getting a French manicure in a salon, try doing it yourself for a fraction of the cost. It will take some practice and a steady hand, but you can do your own French manicure at home with good results.

Things You'll Need

• White nail polish
• Clear or pink top coat
• Square-shaped stickers with straight edge
• Small cardboard square
• Nail scissors

Instructions

1. Cut a small triangle out of one side of your cardboard square. Fit your nail to be painted into the notch. Your nail should fit easily over the cardboard and sit comfortably in the corner of the triangle.

2. Apply the flat-edged sticker tightly over the curve of your nail, without covering the nail tip that you want colored. Apply the sticker at the line where the tip of your nail is white. If your nails are very short, make your own line, but keep the tip thin so it looks natural.

3. Apply white nail polish to just the tip of your nail, above the sticker. The cardboard and the sticker will protect areas that you want to keep paint-free.

4. Give the nail polish several minutes to dry, and then slowly remove the sticker and cardboard.

5. Repeat these steps until all 10 of your tips have been colored. Give yourself five minutes to let them completely dry.

6. Once your nails are dry, apply a clear or very light sheer pink top coat. Allow to dry.

Tips & Warnings

• If you opt for a pink sheer top coat test the polish first by applying your white polish to your nail, letting it dry and then applying the pink top coat. If it is sheer enough your white will still be very visible.

• I recommend you remove all old polish from your nails before starting the process.

• It looks best on those with longer nails and natural tips.

• If you do not apply your sticker tightly enough the nail polish can bleed under the sticker.

References

• Seventeen: French Manicure Tips