How to Perform a Professional French Manicure

A French manicure provides a classic, timeless look that appeals to everyone from housewives to fashionistas and brides. Glossy and natural looking white tipped fingernails add a flair of simple beauty and elegance to any outfit or style. Best of all, a French manicure looks great on ladies with long nails as well as short nails. In the past women flocked to nail salons and spas to achieve this look. However, with just a few basic supplies it is possible to give yourself a beautiful, professional looking French manicure at home for a fraction of the cost.

Things You'll Need

• Emery board Body scrub or exfoliating wash Dish soap Small bowl Towel Almond oil (optional) Cuticle stick (sometimes called an orange stick) Clear nail polish White nail polish Pale pink or light beige translucent nail polish

Instructions

1. Exfoliate your hands using a body scrub or an exfoliating wash. Massage a small amount of product on each hand and apply gentle pressure in small, circular motions. This process helps aid in the removal of dead skin cells and also softens your hands. Wash your hands and remove any remnants of the scrub or wash. Then fill a small bowl with warm water and a few drops of dish soap. Soak the tips of your fingers in the water for about five minutes then pat them dry.

2. File your nails using the fine side of an emery board. Be sure to use the board in a single direction. Avoid making the mistake of roughly filing your nails back and forth as doing so can cause unsightly cracking and tearing of the fingernail. If you would like your French manicure to have the most rounded, natural look, simply follow the contours of your finger tips when filing. To achieve square tipped nails, file the tops of your nails flat and then round the edges with the emery board. Square style nails are best reserved for women with longer fingernails, as it can be difficult to shape short nails into the desired shape.

3. Wrap your hands in a warm, damp towel for five to 10 minutes. Some women like to moisturize their hands with a few drops of almond oil afterward, as it can be beneficial for the next step, which is pushing back cuticles. Using a cuticle stick carefully and gently push back your cuticles. If possible, utilize a rubber tipped orange stick, as it is far more gentle than its solid wooden or plastic counterparts. Rinse and dry your hands to remove the almond oil and any cuticle debris.

4. Roll up your sleeves and begin painting a coating of of clear nail polish onto each of your fingernails. Be sure that your hands are on a flat surface, such as a desk or table, because this helps to ensure that your hands are as steady and stable as possible. Allow your nails to dry for about five to seven minutes. The next step is to paint the white line across the tips of your nails. For a rounded look, simply follow the the natural curve of your nail bed. For square nails, paint a line straight across the top of each nail. Allow the polish to dry for about five minutes before applying a coat of translucent pink or beige polish. Once the first coat has dried, apply a second coat.

5. Allow your manicure to dry completely. Use caution and try to stay as still as possible because at this stage it is extremely easy to accidentally nick or dent the polish. After the colored polish has dried completely, paint a layer of clear topcoat over each of your nails to complete your do-it-yourself French manicure.