French manicure from A to Z

The classic French manicure is a timeless look that is always in. It is a favorite for any occasion, whether it is a formal gathering or a laid-back day out, thanks to its understated elegance and adaptability. The classic French manicure, with its natural-looking base and white tips, gives off an elegant, polished appearance that is suitable for all skin tones.

Everything you need to know about French manicures is covered in this guide, from the necessary supplies and tools to the detailed instructions for creating the ideal look. Regardless of your level of experience, you’ll find helpful hints and techniques to help you become an expert at this well-known nail art.

Prepare to learn about the French manicure technique and how to apply a flawless, long-lasting finish that will accentuate your hands’ natural beauty. You can get salon-caliber results at home with a little practice and the appropriate methods.

How to do a French manicure at home?

The most common manicure technique, the French manicure, is difficult to duplicate at home. It’s easy to paint your nails a soft pink or transparent varnish, but it’s very challenging to draw an even colored stripe on the edge of your nail without any prior preparation or art training. However, the process of doing a French manicure in the "classic" category will go more quickly and easily if you know a few tips and application techniques.

How to prepare nails for a French manicure?

Preparation is essential to the success of any beauty procedure, but it’s crucial for manicures in particular. Adhere to the basic scheme to help get your nails ready for polish application.

For this, use nail polish remover. Using a jar containing a sponge soaked in nail polish remover (like Maybelline’s Express Remover) is the quickest way to remove old varnish. If you’ve ever used a varnish with big glitter that is really challenging to remove with a regular cotton pad, this will be extremely helpful.

Nail polish removers come in two primary varieties: those that contain acetone and those that don’t. Although using the second option is generally advised because it is safer, there are benefits to using the first as well.

Acetone-containing liquids work quickly to remove even the darkest varnish in a matter of seconds, but they severely dry out the nail plate. Don’t forget to use hand cream afterward! Use more gentle formulas without acetone if you have dry or sensitive skin. But bear in mind that it will take longer to remove the varnish in this situation.

Long held to be true, French manicures look best on long, oval nails, but these days, there are no limitations and it can be done on short ones as well. As a result, you can select the shape that best fits your finger type or your preferences, but it’s still best to avoid cutting your nails all the way to the tip.

• When choosing a nail file, you need to consider the different parameters and features of your nails. Give preference to a glass, ceramic or soft cardboard file rather than a metal one.
• File your nails not from side to side, but in one direction to avoid microcracks.
• Also keep in mind that you cannot file wet nails: wait until the nail plate is completely dry.
• Treat the surface and edges of the nail with a sanding file, but do not overdo it. If you rub your nails “to a shine”, the varnish will not lie well on the nails, literally sliding off them.

Put your hands in a bowl of warm (not hot) water and dab on some shampoo, oil, hand gel, or other special spa manicure product. It’s best to remove your hands from the water after two to three minutes.

The cuticle will be quickly and effectively softened by a special product, and it will be very simple to remove.

Maybelline’s SOS cuticle pencil Dr. Rescue is available at maybelline.com.ru.

If you don’t have one of these products, apply a rich moisturizing cream or oil to your hands’ cuticles, cover them with a towel, and let them sit for fifteen minutes.

It is not advised to cut the cuticle because it acts as a sort of barrier to stop infections from penetrating beneath the nail. Using an orange stick to remove the cuticle and performing an unedged manicure is preferable.

However, in certain situations there is no other option (here is more information about the distinction between an unedged and an edged manicure).

• Move the softened cuticle to the root of the nail, but do not try to "push" it too deep: this can damage the nail.
• When you have dealt with the cuticle, use nippers or scissors to trim the hangnails along the edges of the nail.

Apply a moisturizer and gently push back the cuticle (you can do this directly with your nails!) after washing your hands each time to encourage slower cuticle growth and a neater appearance.

Apply your go-to product, such as oil or hand cream. Once the product has been absorbed, gently massage each hand, taking care to work the cuticles. Then, use a dry napkin to remove any leftover product.

Crucial! Before applying varnish, use a specific degreaser to get rid of any last bits of hand cream or cuticle oil.

If you don’t have access to one of these products, use a cotton pad soaked in nail polish remover to clean your nails once more. To ensure even application of the varnish, nails must be completely dry.

Even if you use light, not dark, polish colors, you still need to apply a base coat. After it dries, spread the primary varnish shade over the nail plate.

Use beige, light pink, or clear polish, or any other shade and texture, for a traditional French manicure. If you want a thick or translucent finish, apply the polish in one or more layers. Avoid applying multiple coats of polish at once; instead, give each time to fully dry.

Many people are accustomed to shaking the nail polish bottle before using it, but this is not possible because shaking causes bubbles to form inside the composition, which prevents the polish from spreading evenly across the nail plate. The best way to "revive" the polish is to roll it slowly and vertically between your palms.

And watch our video for comprehensive video instructions.

Methods for applying polish when creating a French manicure

The hardest thing about doing a French manicure is having to draw a thin line on the nail tip. The only person who can perform this in "manual mode" is a professional master; for everyone else, we recommend using one of the techniques for producing an authentic French manicure to simplify the process.

Stencils for French manicure

Using a specific stencil is the simplest way to achieve the ideal color line at the tip. Despite their various forms—round, semicircular, or in the shape of a "show"—they all operate on the same principle.

How to stick a stencil for French manicure?

Attach the adhesive-side of the plate to the nail, backing away from the edge by approximately 0.3 millimeters (depending on the nail’s length).

Tape can be used in place of stencils for French manicures; however, paintings work better because they are easier to remove than stationery.

But remember that you need to pour the tape into a semicircle! By the way, ribbed tape can also be used to give the nail tip a unique look.

Brush for French manicure

You can achieve a French manicure with nail art brushes if you are comfortable using them. However, they now also make specialized brushes for French manicures, which are identified by a unique form: a semicircle is "cut out" in the middle of the flat brush, making it easy to apply varnish to the nail’s tip.

An orange stick can be used to rectify "misses." To remove nail polish, wrap a small piece of cotton wool around its sharp tip and moisten it with liquid. You can now carefully remove nail polish!

Strips for French manicure

The same stencils, but with a more radical approach to the issue at hand. It is sufficient for the user to simply adhere a special strip to the edge of the nail rather than painting the nail tip with varnish themselves. An ideal option for a celebratory manicure: you can quickly create a French manicure by applying a gold, silver, or any bright stripe.

Alternative options for creating a French manicure

When doing a French manicure, there are a lot of other "helpers" available besides specialized accessories that can be very helpful.

• A regular rubber band. Take a rubber band and tie it in the middle with a knot. Hook one end of the rubber band onto your thumb to create tension, and throw the second “loop” onto any other nail. Use the edge of the rubber band as a “ruler” and mark the tip of the nail with varnish.
• A bandage. You will need an option with rounded tips: use them as a stencil, gluing them closer to the edge of the nail.
• A cotton swab. Paint the tip of the nail with colored varnish (you do not need to apply a base coat to the nail plate first), without worrying about accuracy. Then give the strip a clear semicircular shape, removing the excess with a cotton swab dipped in nail polish remover. Coat the nail with clear varnish on top.

French manicure for long nails

Medium-length and long nails lend themselves best to a classic French manicure. However, it would be a shame to stick to the standard white French manicure, especially in light of the current trend of encouraging experimentation. You can adorn your nails with unique patterns and designs, animal prints, rhinestones and beads, and foil pieces to create an unconventional French manicure. You’re looking at some of the most striking examples that were taken from social networks.

• 45 manicure ideas for long nails
• 10 options for easy manicure for long nails
• How to choose a polish for long nails: 4 main rules

French manicure ideas for short nails

Increased attention in French manicure is paid to the tips of the nails, so at first glance it may seem that French is not the technique that is suitable for short nails. However, the nail design will turn out very stylish and beautiful if you take a closer look at less obvious options for French manicure. For example, one of the most fashionable techniques today is “micro-French”, when the edge of the nail is marked with an ultra-thin, barely noticeable line. Another option is to separate the tips with a fairly wide diagonal strip or decorate them with a miniature pattern. We have collected several successful ideas for French manicure for short nails in the photo gallery.

• How to choose a polish for short nails: 5 main rules
• Nail art for short nails
• Manicure for short nails: trends 2022

French manicure for nails of different shapes

Perhaps its greatest benefit is that the French manicure looks fantastic on nails of any length or shape. If you are unsure about which idea to adopt, carefully review this section.

For oval nails

For good reason, many people believe that oval nails are the most feminine and sophisticated. In order to create a more harmonious image when applying a French manicure on oval-shaped nails, make sure the lines at the tips of the nails are smooth, do not end abruptly, and slightly "capture" the sides of the nail plate.

For round nails

Pay particular attention to shimmers and glitters, as well as vibrant varnishes, when applying a French manicure on round nails. Additionally, make the most of your artistic abilities if you possess them, just like the creators of the round nail French manicure options in the pictures below.

For sharp nails

You most certainly are not timid if you prefer a pointed nail shape. A French manicure with pointed nails can also be very daring: use various neon varnishes to paint the tips of your nails, then accessorize with glitter and wild patterns. In this instance, a French manicure in a single color is just as lovely.

For square nails

Square nails can give a French manicure a very different appearance. Stiff lines can be emphasized, or on the other hand, softened, by adding a white border that is either bright or classic. It is worthwhile to experiment with different shapes, but pay attention to the ratios; it is preferable to avoid having too wide stripes at the tips of the nails.

The classic and refined French manicure entails painting the tips of the nails white and leaving the remaining portion of the nail in a natural or light pink hue. Everything you need to know to achieve the ideal French manicure at home will be covered in this article, from selecting the appropriate tools and nail polish to learning the technique and incorporating unique twists for a contemporary look.

review of the best white varnishes

The list of trustworthy friends that will assist you in creating a delicate French manicure has been put together by the Makeup.ru editors!

• Essie, shade 01 "White"

© Essie This nail polish is the best for a reason—it is genuinely indispensable for French manicures as well as other nail art creations. There’s no doubt that the bottle will be used to create classic French manicures thanks to its snow-white shade.

© Essie A soft beige color is ideal for people who like a delicate French manicure. It is also indispensable for doing a nude manicure (you can find two hundred nude manicure ideas here, by the way).

French manicure "inverted": how to repeat?

A few years ago, an intriguing French manicure done in reverse—also known as a moon manicure—began to gain popularity as a new nail trend. In this style of French manicure, the nail’s base, rather than its tip, has a colored "smile." In the picture, demonstrate how to replicate this type of manicure.

In order to ensure that the varnish is evenly applied and lasts longer, clean the nail plate and apply the base.

Using a thin synthetic pile brush, outline each nail using a bright varnish, making sure the line at the base is slightly thicker. Allow this layer to completely dry.

Apply the second varnish shade to the nail’s remaining surface using a standard brush that comes with a varnish bottle. Make a thick smear in the middle first, and then cross the nail on either side.

After letting the coating dry, apply a top coat to your nails to add shine and density.

We’ve included a few more creative variations of the "inverted" French manicure in our gallery.

10 ideas for the "reverse" French

The greatest polish to use for the "reverse" French manicure is one with a subtle shimmer: Little stains won’t show up as much © cocodotbow

The chess order in action: use masking tape © cocodotbow to repeat this manicure option.

French manicure 2025: fashion trends

Although the traditional "light base plus white tip" design option is still relevant, nail artists are constantly coming up with fresh, intriguing ideas, especially for wedding manicures. Ten of the most intriguing fresh concepts for French manicures in 2024 are shown here.

1. Manicure with dots

Use dots to adorn the nail plate to make the French manicure fashionable. This look is known as a "speckled" manicure, and it has become increasingly popular in recent years. However, whereas in the past the "peas" on the nails were portrayed as being fairly tiny, larger shapes are fashionable in 2024.

2. With glitter

A celebratory take on the French manicure. Simply paint a polish with tiny shimmers or big glitter on the tips of your nails.

3. Ombre

Another popular look this year is the ombre manicure (see our instructions here). If you want to go more outlandish, use vibrant multicolored nail polish to create a gradient that you only apply to the tips of your nails.

4. Geometric lines

Another quick method for creating a unique French manicure using a design. Use two pieces of regular tape as a "ruler" to duplicate the image.

5. Neon

Using colored polish to replace the white on your fingertip tips is the simplest way to achieve an eye-catching French manicure. Try using vivid neon colors in 2024 and pairing them with a "calm" light base.

6. Multi-colored stripes

It’s time to take your nail art to the next level: try applying multiple colors to the tips of your nails! Use nail stencils and have patience to create a bright French manicure—maximum precision is crucial here.

7. Two-in-one manicure

You must become proficient in both French and lunar manicure techniques in order to create this kind of manicure. But the outcome is unquestionably worthwhile.

8. Bright stains

If you’re sick of the traditional French manicure, highlight the nail’s tip with colored stains rather than a straight, geometric strip. See here for instructions on how to do a stylish and practical water manicure.

9. Pattern

The primary benefit of this nail art is that it doesn’t require any specialized knowledge to duplicate. Accuracy is not a concern when applying a glaze effect to the tips. A gorgeous French manicure with a pattern is ready when the layer of pink varnish has completely dried. Use a thin manicure brush to add sporadic colored strokes that resemble candy sprinkles.

10. All the other way around

Use a traditional French manicure as a model, but change the hues. Decorate the nail’s tip in pink, leaving the rest of the nail bare or covered in white varnish.

Colored French manicure

As we’ve already seen, a French manicure isn’t just pink and white anymore. We offer a variety of manicure solution options in various hues.

Red French manicure

The shade you choose, from wine to scarlet, simply depends on you and the color of your skin (see this material to learn which shade from the range will suit you best).

Pink French Manicure

Bold tones in a pink French manicure would be the perfect option for those who stick to the classics but want to try something new. For the world as well as the feast!

Black French Manicure

If applied sparingly, black polish is actually quite cheerful. As in a French manicure, for instance. Browse our photo gallery to select the ideal solution for you.

White French manicure

The genre’s classic manicure with a white stripe is something every girl should eventually try on herself. Why not take action now?

Aspect	Details
Base Coat	Apply a clear base coat to protect your nails and create a smooth surface for the polish.
White Tips	Use a white polish to carefully paint the tips of your nails. You can use nail guides for a precise line.
Neutral Base	After the white tips dry, apply a sheer pink or nude polish over the entire nail.
Top Coat	Finish with a clear top coat to seal the manicure and add shine.
Maintenance	Keep your French manicure looking fresh by applying a top coat every few days.

A classic French manicure is appropriate for any occasion and is timeless. Many find it to be their favorite for both special occasions and daily wear due to its elegance and simplicity.

Anyone can recreate this famous look at home by learning the fundamentals, which include everything from nail prep to applying the ideal white tip. There are countless ways to express yourself with a French manicure, whether you go for a classic look or a more contemporary twist.

With the correct equipment and methods, you can achieve a perfect finish that brings out your nails’ inherent beauty. Accept the versatility of the French manicure and take pleasure in the refined, chic look it gives you.

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