Leah Phillips Blog

Having French nails is an easy endeavor to engage in and you have the option of doing it yourself at home with a few easy tips. First and foremost, you must clean your fingernails properly and remove any traces of nail polish from each one; it is also required that you file the nails into shape. Not accomplishing this preliminary requirement will only lead to unpleasant outcomes where time and effort will surely be wasted.

To soften the cuticles, soak them in a warm water bath; this is the second step. It is important to soften the cuticles as making French nails require trimming any excessive skin along the nail. If you attempt working with untreated cuticles, you are well on your way to possible cuts or wounds that are simply unattractive.

Make the cuticle ready for cleaning; gently push it back with an orangewood stick; if you are faced with a lot of cuticle, make use of cuticle remover to accomplish the job. Cuticle removal takes some time to finish properly; do not rush and eliminate the occurrence of cuts and the like; exert some effort and see how it makes a difference with the final outcome of your French nails. Be sure to take a look at this blurb on French Nails.

Get some hand cream and apply it on the fingernails; leave the cream in for about three minutes then wipe off any excess with a tissue. After doing this step, choose among what kinds of nail polish you will be using.

A basecoat is needed before any other color is painted on because it serves as the base for whatever the final look will be. A good tip when applying polish is to have some patience and let each coat dry well enough before another one is painted on to avoid clumping afterwards.

As the basecoat is drying, select a pale shaded color of polish that will be applied afterwards; this color is applied in thin layers; the color should match the nail plate for a better look. Apply the neutral polish two to three times and again let the polish dry completely, about two minutes per coat. The last part of working with polish is to paint a straight line on the end of the fingernail to get the look of French nails. Take a look at this blurb on French Nails.

Painting the tips completes the French manicured style; coats of opaque colored polishes are applied in contrast with the pale foundation; you can never go wrong with white or beige nail polish for this step. For the fingernail ends, the same rule applies; let each coat dry completely before another one is painted over it. A straight white strip along the fingernail ends distinctly gives French nails its image; try going along the natural curve of the nail when you apply this strip and see how your nails will start appearing as if they were longer than they really are.

Complete your French nails by applying a clear coat of polish as the final layer protecting the others underneath it. Clean the edges of the nail by using an orangewood stick and a piece of cotton moistened with some nail polish remover. It will now take a longer wait before you can start using your hands, about an hour or so; to achieve wonderful nails be sure not to ignore this crucial step in the overall process. Be sure to take a look at French Nails blurb.