How to Give Yourself a Perfect French Manicure

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We all can save a buck or two right now so I thought I’d show you a quick and easy way to give yourself the perfect French manicure at home vs. running off to the nearest salon every two weeks and spending about 25-30 bucks (or more) each visit. That’s about a half a tank of gas these days, ladies!Â

Step 1: After your nails are filed and buffed to shiny perfection, find your favorite white nail polish.Â We have a great selection at Smarter.com, but I personally like and have used L’Oreal Pro Manicure Nail Polish:Â $2.99 on sale.

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Step 2:Â Grab at least five regular sized Band-Aids.Â The best ones to get would be the Waterproof Band-Aids because they are not porous.Â These below are $3.79 on sale.Â If you don’t use the Band-Aid brand bandages, you will probably save a buck or two more.Â As long as the bandages have a curve shape at both ends like typical Band-Aids do.

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Step 3:Â Cut off the ends of both sides of all five bandages and place them at the base of your five finger nailsÂ on one hand exactly where you would like your French tips.Â

Step 4:Â Paint your white tips and wait for them to dry.Â Once they are dry you can take off the bandages and…voilÃ perfect French tips!Â Repeat Steps 3 and 4 on your other hand.

Step 5:Â Follow up with the clear topcoat nail polish of your choosing.Â If you want a littleÂ color you can use clear pink base coat nail polish.Â Or, use clear nail polish with a bit of sparkle for a more fun look.

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Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â CoverGirl Queen Collection Shine Topcoat: $2.97 on sale

You can totally do the same for a perfect French pedicure!

Find at Smarter.com:Â Shop for manicure sets.
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Shop for nail files.
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Shop through all nail polish.

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Comments

nicole says:

September 25, 2008 at 8:05 am

As a nail tech, I would be happy to tell you the perfect way to achive the french look. After buffing you polish remove on your nails. Then use a clear coat of polish, next try find a lite pink apply after clear coat is dried. Then just follow the nail that has grown out as you guide with the white polish. That is the perfect guide. Once you are finished apply clear coat, your nails will be looking perfect for a couple of weeks. I hope this helps everyone.
Hema Robert says:

December 2, 2008 at 6:00 am

Let me tell you some tips on how to give yourself a manicure. Remove old nail polish thoroughly. Soak hands in warm water for 10 or 15 minutes. Dry hands. File nails in one direction only. Avoid using a seesaw motion. Push back cuticles. Use a cuticle moisturizer if they do not push back easily after soaking. Add a second coat for deeper color. Finish the manicure with a top coat of clear polish.
Pat says:

April 7, 2010 at 10:24 am

Why not really simplify it and just buy a french nail kit? They come with the base coat and the white for tipping. Plus they already have self adhesive strips for a straight tip and also the chevron or V style. Saves money, saves time and saves some bandaids!