Whether you are a hair stylist, fresh into nail school, or a client who wants to do her own nails, there are a few tips to consider when trying to achieve the perfect french manicure. This summer, french manicures are back as one of the top trends. Eva Langoria, Lauren Conrad and even Lindsay Lohan are just a few of the gorgeous celebrities who are bringing back the classic french manicure. As you create your own chic french manicure, here are the tips you should follow.
- Start with Clean Nails
- Choose the Tip Color
- Applying the Tip Color
- Apply Base Coat
Be sure to start with fully clean nails. Remove all prior nail polish that existed on nails. You should also take the time to trim nails that are uneven. You can use regular nail polish remover with acetone to remove polish. If your cuticles are sensitive to nail polish remover with acetone, then you can try a non-acetone base.
Your next step is to apply the white tip to your nails. You will need to choose a tip color that you like. Cream gives off a more sophisticated feel so if you work in a professional environment, this may be the choice for you. White nail polish also looks stunning, and this color looks especially bright in the summer months. If you want to truly be on edge, then choose a trendy color such as lime green, aqua or lilac. These pastel colors look great when used in a french manicure.
“The idea of the French manicure look came to me while I was starting ORLY back in 1975. Movie and television directors wanted a versatile nail style to compliment a Hollywood star’s entire onset wardrobe. They were looking for a singular look that would coordinate with the numerous wardrobe changes actresses had to make in one day. Once I started having the movie star stylists paint the nails with a white tip and a sheer, the celebrities loved it! I realized the most elegant, universal nail look is a natural nail look”. —Jeff Pink – ORLY Founder, CEO, President
Now comes the tricky part of applying the tip color. You likely do not have access to the same stickers that salons use in order to do french manicures. Instead of using the stickers, you can use scotch tape and place it on the bottom of your nails. You can then apply the white polish to the area above the scotch tape. If you make any mistakes, then just take a q-tip and clean up any of the extraneous polish. If this technique does not work for you, then you may want to use a french manicure pen that will give you greater control for doing your tips.
After you have allowed the tip color to dry for a few minutes, the next step is to apply the base color. A light pink or nude nail polish color looks lovely for a french manicure. You can also choose clear polish if you already like the color of your nails. After applying two coats, then allow your nails to dry for five minutes. You now have a gorgeous french manicure!
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