DIY: How to French Manicure

By Megan Hussong

Dry winter weather makes hands feel like sandpaper. Professional French manicures can easily cost upwards of $30 – not helpful on a student budget. Instead, freshen up and save a little moolah on your next girl’s night with a do-it-yourself manicure. Buying a few basic supplies is cheaper than a single salon visit and lasts for many manicures to come. Here’s what you’ll need:

Basics

Most of the basics can be found at drugstores and places like Target and Wal-Mart. For specialized products, try the True Blue Spa line of nail care at Bath and Body Works.

~Nail trimmer

~Nail polish remover

~Cotton balls

~Cuticle moisturizer – found in a variety of creams and oils

~Buffer – a set of three files used for smoothing nail ridges

Polish

There are a great range of nail polish brands, prices, and colors to choose from. Personally, I appreciate the OPI brand line of polishes for its durability and choice of fun colors.

~Chip Skip – this colorless OPI liquid removes oils on nails to ensure long-lasting style

~Base Coat – a clear polish that prevents colored pigments from staining the nail

~White polish – the cornerstone of French tips. Try “Oh So Glam” by OPI

~Sheer Pink polish – pick a muted, translucent shade, such as “Passion” by OPI

~Top Coat – a clear, final sealant

Optional Products

~Makeup concealer brush – makes fixing mistakes a breeze when dipped in remover

~Fast dry drops – quickly hardens polish in as little as 60 seconds

DIY French Tip Manicure

1. Remove any residual polish with cotton balls dipped in nail polish remover.
2. Cut and file nail edges into a square with rounded edges. This shape provides the best defense against splits and tears.
3. Smooth your nails with a buffer. Starting with the roughest grain, swipe the buffer across the top of the nail beds to even out ridges. Using ten strokes per nail, continue the same process with the medium-grain file. This step balances nail thickness. Finally, use the smooth-grain file to add sheen.
4. Massage cuticle moisturizer into the dry skin surrounding your nails. This prevents painful hangnails and keeps hands from looking scraggly.
5. Let the painting begin! Start with a coat of Chip Skip. Next, apply a layer of base coat. Wait five minutes for polish to dry.
6. Now comes the tricky part. Using the white polish, carefully swipe the top 1/8 inch of each nail. A thin layer of polish and a light handed technique will help achieve a straight line. Don’t fret if your tips look less than perfect – use the concealer brush dipped in nail polish remover to correct mistakes and straighten out the polish line. Wait five minutes for polish to dry.
7. Spread a thin layer of pink polish over your entire nail, including the white tips. This creates a unified and natural nail look. Wait five minutes for polish to dry.
8. Add a thick layer of top coat. This creates a barrier between the polish other elements to prevent chips and dents. It also adds shine for a professional finish.
9. Need to get out the door quickly and don’t have time for nails to dry? Place two quick-drying drops on each nail. This penetrates the polish and hardens layers in as little as one minute. Blowing air from a hairdryer or running nails under cold water are other tricks of the trade.
10. Finally, rub a nickel-sized dollop of lotion over your hands. Viola! A professional quality manicure in under a half hour. Practice makes perfect!