French Tip Instructions

Choose colors that match your skintone for a natural look.

French manicures are clean and classic. They are appropriate for most events from job interviews to weddings, and you never have to worry about wearing a polish color that clashes with your clothing. If you want to add a little more flair to the manicure, you can opt out of the typical nude and white polish pairing and choose different color options that are still neutral such as black and gray or black and beige. Learning how to give yourself a French manicure will keep your hands looking good and save you money at the nail salon.

Things You'll Need

• Nail clippers
• Cuticle treatment
• Manicure guides
• Base coat
• White polish
• Pink polish
• Top coat

Instructions

1. Trim your nails to the desired length. Use a nail file to shape your nail. The best shape for French tips is a square cut with the nail cut straight across and rounded at the edges. Sally Hansen recommends filing nails in one direction from each side of the nail toward the center to help avoid splitting.

2. Prep your nails by soaking your fingers in warm water and cleaning the nail surface. Apply lotion or a cuticle treatment around your nail bed and use a cuticle stick to push your cuticles down. Wash any remnants of lotion from your nails, and then apply a base coat to your nails. Clip away any remaining cuticles or hangnails.

3. Apply manicure guides along the curve of your nail to divide the nail tip. Leave a bit overhanging on each side. Apply white nail polish or your chosen color to the nail above the guide. Paint each side outward from the center. Allow the tips to dry thoroughly before you remove the guides.

4. Choose an opaque, shimmery color in a pink, nude or violet hue. Brush one to two coats over the entire nail, including the tip. Let the nails dry thoroughly and then brush on a shiny topcoat.

Tips & Warnings

• Shake the nail polish gently or roll it from side to side in your hands to make sure the polish is evenly mixed. If you have a hard time painting the tips, consider getting a French tip pen, which applies polish like a marker. You can get them in varying sizes from the drug store so you can customize the width of the French tip.

References

• Sally Hansen: Perfect French Manicure