How to Do a Great French Manicure

If you are on a budget, there's no need to visit the salon every time you want a manicure. If you simply want to change your nail color, do it yourself. If you desire a French manicure, don't worry about making a mess when painting on the signature white tips. Follow these technique to create a neat French manicure, even if you have an unsteady hand.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Nail polish remover Cotton balls or pads Manicure kit Clear base nail polish Sheer flesh or pink tone nail polish French manicure guide strips Stark white nail polish Clear top coat

1. Prep your nails for a French manicure the same way you would for a regular one (see Resources for videos). Remove all traces of the old nail polish. Cut your nails so that they are the length you desire. Use a nail file as well to perfect the shape of your nails and get rid of any jagged or sharp edges. With the exception of nail polish remover and cotton balls, everything you need to groom your nails can be found in a basic manicure kit.

2. Apply one coat of base nail polish on all your nails to create a smooth surface for the color you will be applying. This will give you a longer-wearing manicure. Apply another coat of the clear base polish if you do not want to use any color at all. If you want a touch of color on the other hand, apply one coat of a sheer flesh or pink tone nail polish instead.

3. Allow your nails to dry thoroughly. You may have to wait more than an hour, since you will be sticking French manicure guide strips onto your polished nails. This poses no danger to completely dry nails, but you will ruin your manicure if you apply the guide strips while your nails are still wet.

4. Remove the manicure guide strip from the paper backing and stick it on the portion of the nail immediately below the part you will be painting white. Apply the guide strip from one corner of the nail all the way across to the next. There should be no space in between the guide strip and the surface of your nail. If there is even a fraction of space between your nail and the guide strip, the white polish may seep underneath instead of staying on the tip of your nail. Leave a 1/4 inch overhang on either side of your finger when you attach the guide strip. This makes it easier to remove each strip later. Repeat the process on the remaining fingers of the same hand.

5. Stroke a stark white nail polish onto the tip of your nail above the guide, beginning on one side all the way across to the center of the tip. Repeat, this time from the other side to the center. If you paint on the color in one stroke, the white may appear vivid on the side where you start, but look completely faded by the time the stroke makes it to the other end of the tip. Repeat the process on the rest of your fingers on the same hand. Give yourself about a half hour before removing the strips.

6. Repeat Steps 4 and 5 for the other hand. Apply a protective clear top coat on all your nails. Let your nails dry before moving on to other tasks.

Tips & Warnings

• You may use more vivid color pairings when creating a French manicure; however, your results will appear far from classic. Stick with a sheer flesh or pink tone as your main shade and stark white for the tips if you don't want a trendy-looking French manicure.

Resources

• Expert Village videos on giving yourself a home manicure
• Expert Village video on doing an easy French manicure