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The dainty French manicure is back! Like the catwalk and celeb obsession with “no makeup makeup”, the trend for barely-there beauty extends to fingertips this season. Proving once again that less can be way more! Remember the first time you had one? Those pinkies made you feel so elegant and chic!” But who has the time to hang around a salon getting a French manicure? So just for you, we’ve got a super simple DIY in seven easy steps. With a little practice and patience, you can get the perfect French manicure any time you want for just a fraction of the cost.
Read on to learn how to get the perfect French manicure at home with these easy steps. But first, let’s begin with what you’ll need to get this done right.
Things You’ll Need
1. Base Coat
Choose either beige or pink nail polish for your base. Ideally, it should match your skin complexion and undertones for a seamless look. We recommended the Nykaa Enamel in shades Caramel Macchiato for beige and Rose Quartz for pink. Both nail paints are super pigmented and provide a one-coat application. They’re also long-lasting and help you achieve that salon-like look.
Nykaa Recommends:
2. White Tip
The white nail paint you use for the French tip will have to be super pigmented as you will only be able to apply one or two swipes. Further, applying one or two thin coats will help achieve a natural-looking manicure. A sheer white nail polish that needs multiple coats will look bulky over the base and ruin the seamless look needed. You cannot go wrong with the non-chipping and glossy Swiss Beauty nail lacquer or the high-shine Faces Canada Splash Nail Enamel – both highly pigmented options that layer beautifully.
Nykaa Recommends:
3. Top/Base Coats
Using a base coat protects the nail from staining and elongates the wear time of your nail polish. Similarly, top coats help lock in your manicure and keep it from chipping away. We recommend using O.P.I top coat and natural nail base coat for the best results as they brand is well-trusted among professionals as well as influencers globally.
Nykaa Recommends:
4. Optional: French Manicure Kit
We love a good shortcut and this kit from Miss Claire is the easiest way to get everything you need for the perfect French manicure. It even includes a nail buffer and a file to get your base smooth and ready for a stunning manicure. It also has a vinyl painting guide to make the process easier. For the main event, the kit includes three minis – a top/base coat, white tip nail polish, and a natural finishing nail enamel. It is great for beginners who may not own everything or just want to experiment with French manicured nails.
7 Steps To Perfect French Manicure
Step 1: PREP
Make sure your nails are clean and have no nail polish residue. Just to be sure, clean the surface with nail polish remover.
Step 2: SOAK YOUR CUTICLES
For a true salon finish, prep your pinkies properly by dipping them in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes. Use a cuticle remover which comes with a cuticle pusher like Bronson Professional Nail Pusher And Cuticle Remover Tool and gently push cuticles back. Use the opposite end to remove dirt from underneath the nails.
Step 3: BUFF AND PREP
Before applying your first coat of polish, buff the top of your nails to smoothen and prep them for the nail polish. Use Vega Nail Buffer a four-way buffer that shapes, buffs and shines nails.
Step 4: APPLY THE BASE
First, apply the base coat and let it dry for a few minutes. Once dry, apply the base colour nail polish in the shade you prefer. I prefer the pink base. You may also want to consider your skin tone before choosing the base colour as pink suits lighter skin tones and beige is suitable for deeper skin tones. Once you’ve applied the base colour let it dry completely.
Expert Tip: If you want a prominent base colour apply a second coat
Step 5: PLACE THE GUIDES
Before you move to this step make sure your base color is completely dry. Place the nail guides in the desired position. If you don’t have the guides just use small pieces of tape. Make sure to de-glue the tape by placing it on the back of your hand and peeling it off. Repeat till most of the glue comes off. Using sticky tape on just painted nails may ruin the base colour.
Step 6: PAINTING TIPS
Use a white polish to paint the tips of your nails. Do a second coat if required. Let it dry between coats.
Step 7: SEAL YOUR MANICURE
Now remove the nail guides and apply a top coat of polish. Allow this coat to dry for a few minutes. Voila! You have the perfect French Manicure!
FAQs
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What is a basic French manicure?
A classic French manicure base includes a sheer or pink nail polish to match the person’s skin tone. Then, a white polish is used for the tip to enhance the shape of the nail and a top coat is applied for a shiny finish. There are several variations of the French manicure, with many taking creative liberties and using colourful nail polish for the tips as well as the base. Some even prefer to add rhinestones along the tip for party-ready nails.
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Is French manicure natural?
The classic French manicure style is meant to enhance the appearance of your natural nails. The neutral beige or sheer base hides any spots, stains, or imperfections on the nail while the white tip defines the shape of your nails. It helps create a cohesive look that looks natural and adds a classy touch.
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How to do French manicures for beginners?
You can use guides or vinyl stickers to get the perfect French tip after applying a base coat. If you don’t feel confident, you can also try the following press-on nails that seamlessly stick over your natural nails. They will help you achieve the manicured look within minutes in a budget-friendly way as compared to salons without any hassles.
