- 1
prep nails
before starting your french manicure, make sure your nails are prepped and cleansed with polish remover. any leftover oil or residue can lead to chips later on. begin with a thin layer of your favorite essie basecoat. this will anchor the polish to your nails, ensuring a chip-free finish. give time to dry before moving on to the next step.
- 2
apply sheer nail polish
apply one to two coats of your favorite essie sheer to all nails. you can use a sheer pink like mademoiselle or a sheer beige like of corset.
- 3
paint the smile line
dip a fine detail brush into your desired french tip color. for a classic french manicure, opt for a crisp white like blanc. for a softer “american” french tip, try a sheer white like limo-scene. using the brush, trace a curved smile line on your nail where your natural tip begins. cleanse and re-dip the brush between each nail to ensure a crisp and even application. once all tips have been traced, using the same brush and color, fill in the remainder of the tip.
- 4
clean up!
polishing along the tip of the nail can be tricky and getting polish on the cuticles is common, but easy to fix. dip a clean-up brush in pure acetone and gently wipe away any stray polish around your cuticles or finger.
- 5
seal in your french tip nails
once the polish has dried, apply your desired essie topcoat. gel.setter is a great option for sealing-in nail art with a glossy veneer..jpg?rev=2528435eed3c437ea8164dc6267486a4)
- 6
remix your french manicure
if you want to remix your french manicure, choose any color you want for the tip. choose the "it" color of the season and polish it to your tips for a timeless and trendy seasonal look. take it a step further and polish every tip a different color for a french multi-mani.
