How to do your own French Manicure

A 3 step how-to on doing your own french manicure; anyone can do in as little as 20 minutes. Illustrates the basics in 3 simple steps with 3 simple visuals.
As easy as 1 - 2 - 3! Hope this helps and inspires some of you to try it.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• prepared finger nails and cuticles - cleaned, filed, etc.
• nail base (bottom) coat (I used Sally Hansen Advanced Hard as Nails with Nylon + Retinal)
• french manicure polish (I used ORLY French Manicure)
• 2 in 1- combo nail dryer & top coat (or separate top coat and nail dryer - I used Sally Hansen INSTA-DRI ANTI CHIP TOP COAT)

1. APPLY BASE COAT (7 - 10 mins includes 3 1/2 mins drytime)
   
   I used the Sally Hansen Advanced Hard as Nails with Nylon + Retinal: Shake gently and apply one coat to clean, bare nails. This dried within 2 minutes but I waited until about 3 ½ minutes before step 2 below.

2. PAINT NAIL TIPS (10 - 15 mins includes 4 mins drying time)
   
   I used ORLY French Manicure: I used the bright white (White Tips # 42001) but there are softer colors such as a pastel pink, beige, off white, etc. Try to avoid using any tip guides which tend to be more of a problem then help. Shake ORLY bottle well and in smooth strokes, paint each nail tip from left corner to center; then from right corner to center, following the curve of your nail. This dried within 4 minutes but I waited until about 6 minutes before continuing. Then if needed, lightly brush nail tip across and let dry. Optional, apply a 2nd coat of Sally Hansen Advanced Hard as Nails with Nylon + Retinal. Let dry for a few minutes.

3. APPLY TOP COAT (3 - 6 mins for 2 coats includes 1 mins drying time)
   Sally Hansen INSTA-DRI ANTI CHIP TOP COAT. One coat is enough but I applied 2 finishing coats. First coat dried less than 30 seconds. I waited about 1 minute before applying the 2nd coat. Enjoy your beautiful nails which last about 5 to 7 days and think of all the valuable time you will save and dollar savings (up to about $1,000 per year).

Tips & Warnings

• Before polishing, make sure your hands/nails have been prepared (nails trimmed as needed, cleaned, filed, cuticles pushed back); I usually do my manicure right after I shower. Nails look best when tips are similar length (about 1/8th “).

[amanpreet]

on 6/22/2008 this is an amazing article and i have tried it.....did work well for me...

[filu777]

on 5/3/2008 This article really helps , but if there were pictures showing evrything step-by-step it would really help a lot !!

[Gracie1402]

on 5/1/2008 I honestly never knew how to do this, I am going to try it. Thanks for the great article!

[GloBuono]

on 1/2/2008 Thanks so much for your comments. So much appreciated.

[Andrea820]

on 1/2/2008 This will be something that I'll want to do with my daughter. We both enjoy manicures and I can not wait to do this in the comfort of my own home. Thank you.