Preparation is the key to achieving a perfect French manicure.
A French manicure is the ultimate chic style and, thanks to the current craze for nail art, now comes in many forms. But if you want a classic and polished look, the elegant white tip and natural nail is the look to go for. Just follow our simple guide and discover how easy it is to do a French manicure at home...
'Prep, prep, prep is the key to the perfect French manicure,' says Revlon Nail Ambassador and manicure maven Jenny Longworth. 'I can't stress enough the importance of good prep as this will make the world of difference to the longevity of mani.
1. Start by removing any old nail polish thoroughly with an acetone-free nail polish remover. The Cutex version is super gentle and will help to keep your nails healthy.
2. File and gently buff the nail to create a smooth and even base to apply your polish. Push back your cuticles and tidy up any broken or torn skin. Wipe the nails with remover again to remove any grease on the nail plate.
3. Applying a base coat is imperative. Acting as an anchor to lock your neutral colour into place (we love Revlon's Quick Dry Base Coat), this step is necessary, even when you are wearing neutral colours.
4. Apply two thin coats of natural to alleviate streaks and for any patches simply dab into place. We love the Nails Inc French Manicure Set, which features a subtle pink and a bright white matte for the tips.
5. Paint your white tip horizontally, from one side to the other. Do two coats and then tidy up the line by using a concealer brush dipped into remover.
3. Finish with a top coat, running it along the edge of the tip to cap the nail as this will help prevent chipping and to extend the life of your French manicure, reapply a top coat every 2 to 3 days. The OPI Rapidry Top Coat dries in seconds, so you can even reapply before your morning commute and not ruin your French manicure.
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