How to give a French Manicure that is Salon Quality

Getting the right amount of white on a french tip manicure and making the CLEAN straight line is something that can take some practice. Even in a salon, you'll find this can be a challenge.

A french manicure is such an elegant look and you don't have to worry about coordinating your wardrobe because it goes with everything!

This method can be used by professionals or try it for a home french manicure.

Before we start on how to give a french manicure, here are a few tips on making your hands and nails the best you can.

If you don’t have nice long nails try rubbing Barielle Nail Strengthener Cream into your nails every night when watching TV. Barielle even works through nail polish. This cream was actually discovered when the girls that rubbed it on horses hooves had beautiful strong nails.

OPI Nail Envy is rated highly as well. This product is like nail polish and you are suppose to apply 2 coats, followed by one coat every other day. That can amount to a great deal of product on your nails, which can lead to peeling.

We have found that a combination of OPI, Sally Hansen and Barielle products that will give you beautiful hands and nails.

Quick List on How to give a French Manicure

1. Apply Barielle cream or other nail strengthener each night
2. Apply Sally Hansen Medicated Cream Cuticle Remover, push cuticles back, wash off
3. Use Sally Hansen Manicure in a Minute to get soft smooth hands, this exfoliates dry skin and what is left of any really stubborn cuticles
4. Apply OPI Nail Ridge Filler
5. Position Sally Hansen French Manicure Guides (see note in writeup for best use of product)
6. Paint tips with the shade of white you have chosen
7. Carefully remove guides
8. Paint the sheer tone of pink or beige over entire nail
9. Apply OPI RapiDry Topcoat. Make sure you end of the tip well
10. Let nails dry before you do anything, remember this is more than one coat
11. Finish with Sally Hansen radiant cream for Hands, Nails and Cuticles

It is always a good idea to start with a cuticle treatment. If you have stubborn cuticles try Sally Hansen Medicated Cream Cuticle Remover. Let sit on cuticles to soften, then push them back with a cuticle stick or your thumb nail. Wash it off before it dries. You may need to apply more than once, depending on how often you do your nails.

Now lets take the time for a treat that makes you feel good about your hands and get rid of dry, rough skin. We recommend Sally Hansen Manicure in a Minute. This will also help smooth your cuticles.

Now, let's focus on the nail:

The first step in how to give a french manicure is to start with OPI Nail Treatments Ridge Filler. It dries very quickly. Don't skip this step, it really improves the finished look.

Sally Hansen French Manicure Guides, Self-Adhesive Manicure Aids are an invaluable tool for learning how to give a french manicure, if used properly.

A few tips on using these are:

• make sure you press them down firmly, especially into the sides of your nail
• don't apply the white too thick or it will run under the guide
• remove after each tip is painted (carefully and slowly), so you don't ruin the french white tip

Paint tips with the shade of white you have chosen, remembering the above. We recommend OPI Classic Shades Nail Lacquer, Alpine Snow or OPI Classic Shades Nail Lacquer, Swedish Nude.

Have patience, this takes some practice. You are better off to do 2 thin coats,than one thick one. Remove the guides when still wet.

Apply the sheer pink or beige tone you selected. We recommend OPI Classic Shades Nail Lacquer, Coney Island Cotton Candy or OPI Classic Shades Nail Lacquer, Tutti Frutti Tonga.

Give the tips a couple of minutes for the surface to dry before applying this coat.

Apply the OPI Nail Treatments RapiDry Top Coat and be sure to cover the end of the tip well or even do a second coat. This will help your manicure last as long as possible.

Finish with Sally Hansen radiant cream for Hands, Nails and Cuticles, after nails are VERY DRY!

Now that you know How to give a French Manicure, try some of our other beauty tips