When it comes to manicures, there's no shortage of styles and poses to make your style stand out! Among the most popular ones, we find the French manicure. This pose with its polished aesthetic promises clean and beautiful hands in just a few strokes of the brush. How to do it at home? Discover the right steps.

How to have beautiful nails at home? This question is on many lips... but fortunately, it is not impossible to reproduce your favorite manicure style yourself! However, it requires time, practice and above all to be equipped with the right equipment. The French manicure can be scary because of its complex reputation (but already less complicated than nail art), yet with a minimum of practice (and patience, always patience), you can very quickly get away with a great result. We explain how to do your manicure at home .

What exactly is a French manicure?

The French manicure (or French manicure) is a manicure technique that consists of applying an opaque white nail polish to the tip of the nail, followed by a transparent nail polish over the entire surface of the nail. This particular application method gives a clean, neat and natural look to the nails. It almost looks like a classic manicure! Very fashionable in the 2010s, it is a trend that has not weakened and that we still find quite a lot today on the hands of beauty addicts.

For the record, the French manicure was invented in the 70s in France and has since become very popular all over the world. It is often associated with an elegant and professional look, and is commonly used for weddings, formal events, or even just for everyday use. The French manicure can be done in a beauty salon or at home, with manicure kits specially designed for this technique.

What are the different steps to properly achieve a French manicure?

For a successful French manicure it is rather simple and quick, but you must carefully follow the application steps. Here are the key moments to follow to achieve a perfect French manicure at home:

Required Materials

First of all, make sure you have the necessary equipment available. This is still the essential element to succeed in your French manicure:

• A nail polish remover
• Cotton pads or tissues
• A wooden stick
• A nail file
• A transparent base for nail polish
• An opaque white nail polish
• A transparent nail polish

The different steps to follow

Note that the French is a type of manicure that cannot be done on short nails. It needs a minimum length to be successful.

1. To start, remove all nail polish from your nails using nail polish remover and a cotton pad or tissue. Then run a cleaning brush over and under your nails. You want your nails to be clean and completely bare!
2. File your nails into the desired shape (almond, square, pointed, oval).
3. Protect the nail by first applying a nail strengthening serum which will nourish the nail before applying a protective base.
4. Then apply a thin layer of clear polish to all your nails and let dry.
5. Apply two coats of opaque white nail polish to the tips of your nails and let dry. If you are a beginner, you can use nail guides (a type of stencil) to help you apply the white nail polish in a straight line.
6. Clean the edges of your nails with a wooden stick soaked in nail polish remover, or with a cotton pad, a tissue or even with a nail polish remover pen (the most precise).
7. As a final step, apply a coat of clear nail polish to all your nails to set the color and make your nails shine... And there you have it, your flawless French manicure is complete!

Little tips for applying white nail polish to your fingertips

We agree, applying the white strip that will finalize the French manicure can scare more than one person, so here is a little focus to help you see things more clearly.

Use a nail guide: You can use nail guides to help you apply white nail polish straight and precisely. Nail guides are stickers or strips that you place on the tip of your nail to create a straight and clean line.

Use a thin brush: Use a thin brush to apply the white nail polish. A thin brush will allow you to work precisely and create straight, clean edges.

Apply two thin coats: Apply two thin coats of white nail polish rather than one thick coat. Thin coats dry faster and give a more even appearance.

Wait for the polish to dry before removing the guides: If you are using nail guides, wait until the white polish is dry before removing the guides to avoid tearing the polish.

Correct Mistakes with a Brush Dipped in Nail Polish Remover: If you make a mistake while applying the white polish, use a thin brush dipped in nail polish remover to correct the line.

Be patient: Take your time and be patient when applying white nail polish. If you are in a hurry, you may make mistakes that can be difficult to correct.