Natural nails are back in a big way this season but many of us nail aficionados can’t bring ourselves go to completely nude (ooh la la!). If you want to be on trend but don’t dare to bare, a classic French manicure is the perfect solution as it helps nails to look natural but neat and tidy at the same time.
If you don’t have the money to hit the salon every two weeks, a French mani can easily be achieved in the comfort of your own living room. And don’t worry if you’ve never Frenched yourself before, here’s a quick and easy guide to getting the perfect at-home Soin de Mains Francais.
S’équiper
First things first, you need to get your hands on the perfect French mani polishes (one pink, one white). You can go as natural or as princessy as you like with this look. If you want something more subtle, opt for a pretty nude like CND Vinylux’s Dandelion polish paired with a softer white like OPI Be There In A Prosecco to avoid too much definition between the too colours, which looks unnatural. If you’re obsessed with all things Barbie however, you can opt for a much bolder contrast with a hot pink like the one in this gorgeous OPI Pink and Prepped kit.
You don’t have to go for plain polishes either; a French mani can be brought bang up to date by opting for something a bit more unusual like this OPI Soft Shades Matte Finish French mani kit. If you suffer from weak or peeling nails, you can also use a strengthening base shade like OPI Nail Envy in Bubble Bath.
Préparer
Next you’ll want to get your nails and hands prepped to paint. Grab your nail file and get your talons in shape; a French manicure is normally square but rounded almond shapes work best for more natural looks. Then treat your hands to a little hand soak, hand scrub, moisturiser and cuticle oil. French manicures are notoriously polished and tidy so this will make sure the rest of your hands are up to scratch!
Peindre
Now it’s time to get painting. There are hundreds of base coats available so make sure to pick one that suits your nails’ needs. Once that’s dry, paint your nails with your base pink or nude colour, making sure to let any layers dry completely before the next application. That’s the easy bit over and done with, now things get trickier. Applying the perfect white tip takes quite a bit of practice and a very steady hand. If you’re not uber confident with nail art brushes, the easiest way is to apply scotch tape to your nail, leaving the tip free. Paint on your white polish and then leave until completely dry (this is very important if you want to avoid smudging!). When you’re sure it’s dry, peel off and you should be left with the perfect white tip.
Et voila!
Finish off with a little RapiDry Spray and there you have it! The perfect at-home French manicure. Tres bien!
