DIY Half Moon Manicure French Manicure Stickers

For a fraction of the cost, create your own half-moon nails at home.

The half-moon manicure ranks high on today's nail-trend watch. A reversed version of the classic french manicure, the half-moon manicure features two complimentary nail polish colors that create a half-moon design near the cuticle. French manicure stickers are used to achieve the moon shape and a base and top coat of clear nail polish sets everything in place. Whether you are attending a special event or simply enjoy the pizzazz of interesting nails, the half-moon manicure is sure to impress your friends.

Things You'll Need

• Water
• Soap
• Nail brush
• Towel
• Cuticle moisturizing lotion
• Cuticle stick
• Clear base coat nail polish
• 2 colors of nail polish
• French manicure stickers
• Cotton swabs
• Nail polish remover

Instructions

1. 

   Begin the process with clean nails.

   Wash your hands with warm, soapy water and do not rinse. Scrub your nails on top and underneath with a nail brush. Rinse the soap and dry your hands on a clean towel. Add a nail moisturizer to the entire nail, including the cuticle area.

2. 

   Push cuticles back slowly and gently.

   Push cuticles back gently with a cuticle stick. Begin at the center of the cuticle and move to the outer edges. Rub gently in circles at the base of the nail. This removes any dead skin that is still attached.

3. 

   Keep polish off of the cuticle.

   Apply a base coat to each nail. This fills in any ridges and enables the colored nail polish to dry evenly. Allow five minutes for drying. Add the first coat of colored polish by dipping the brush into the polish. Wipe the excess off on the rim of the bottle. Paint one stripe down the nail's center and then one more stripe on either side. Finish off the tip with a thin swipe of polish. Add a second coat and allow to dry for at least 30 minutes.

4. 

   Remove excess polish to avoid drips.

   Peel off a french-manicure sticker from the packet. Apply it to the base of your fingernail, leaving a half-moon shape near the cuticle, and press. Repeat for all fingernails. Open the second nail polish color. Dip the brush into the polish, wipe the excess off at the rim and slowly apply the polish to the opening within the moon-shaped sticker. This first coat should be thin. When finished with each nail, apply a second coat of polish in the half-moon opening.

5. 

   Be patient with the drying process.

   Wait at least 20 minutes for polish to dry. Peel off stickers by pinching the sticker corner with two fingers and gently pulling across the nail. Make sure the polish stays on the nail. If not, place the sticker back and wait another five minutes. Start the peeling process again until each nail reveals the half-moon manicure.

6. Apply a top coat of clear nail polish so that the half-moon manicure lasts longer. Dip the brush into the polish, brush the excess of the rim and apply to each nail. Wait 15 minutes for the polish to dry.

7. 

   Clean up the skin area with a cotton swab.

   Examine your nails. Dip a cotton swab into nail polish remover. Apply the cotton swab carefully to any excess polish left on the skin.

Tips & Warnings

• The half-moon manicure looks best on long, oval nails.

• Round straight, short nails a bit before achieving this look.

• An orange cuticle stick is best with sensitive nails.

• Three-ring binder stickers cut in half also work to create the half-moon shape.

• Roll the polish between your hands to help break up any bubbles inside.

• Make sure to give nails the proper drying time.

• Peel off stickers gently and slowly so the polish stays intact.

References

• 29 Secrets; The Half-Moon Manicure How-to; Jillian Wood
• Becomegorgeous.com: Half-Moon Nails Chic and Easy Manicure
• Nail-Aid: Six Top Tips for Healthy Cuticles