How to Remove Fingernail Cuticles in French Manicures

Neat cuticles are an important part of a professional-looking manicure. Pushing back the cuticles will make the nail beds appear longer and help prevent hang nails. Carefully removing the excess skin takes a steady hand and a sharp pair of cuticle nippers but can be done at home as part of a manicure or for regular maintenance of well-groomed nails.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cuticle cream
• Cuticle pusher
• Rubbing alcohol
• Cotton ball
• Cuticle nipper
• Nail polish remover
• Cotton swab

1. Apply a gentle cuticle remover solution to your cuticles to soften the skin. Using the blunt end of a cuticle pusher, gently push back the skin that has grown over the base of the nail bed. As the cuticle is pushed back, it will lift slightly off the nail bed.

2. Hold nippers in the palm of your hand and angle the blade around the loose skin of the cuticle. Squeeze the nippers to trim the excess skin visible on the base of each nail bed. Cut only the loose skin; cutting skin attached to the nail bed may lead to an infection.

3. Moisturize your newly-trimmed cuticle with cuticle cream or sweet almond oil. Wipe oil off the nail using nail polish remover and a cotton swab.

4. Clean under your fingernails by running the pointed end of the cuticle pusher under the free edge of the nail to remove any dead skin.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep cuticles under control by pushing them back daily after showering. Cuticle skin will be softened by soap and water and easy to push back with a towel.
• Nail tools such as a cuticle pusher and nipper should be sterilized using rubbing alcohol and a cotton ball before each use.