The French ManicureBy: Mandi Block

To begin you’ll need:

• Polish remover• Nail file• Cuticle softener• Small bowl filled with warm soap water• Hand towel• Cuticle tool• Tip guides (optional)• Base coat (or ridge filler)• Natural flesh color• White tip color• Top coat• Nail dryer (optional)

Step 1

Remove all old polish (if any) from fingernails.

Step 2

File nails moving in one direction towards the center. You may choose a rounded or square

tip. Look at the shape of your cuticles to determine which tip will flatter you.

Step 3

Apply cuticle softener and use the cuticle tool to gently push cuticles back away from the nail.

Step 4

Soak in water and use towel to remove excess oil from nails.

Step 5

Apply one layer of base coat to each nail. Ridge filler may be substituted for base coat.

Step 6

Paint nails with natural flesh color

Step 7

Allow nails to dry and apply a tip guides.

Step 8

Apply white tip polish just above the guide. If you do not have a guide apply the white tip polish

evenly across the free edge of the nail. Repeat this step until white polish is applied to all nails.

Step 9

Allow tips to dry and apply a top coat using the clear top coat polish

Step 10

Allow nails to dry. Use a nail dryer to speed up the process and reduce the risk of smudging. You

may substitute a hair dryer.

Voila!

Now you have a salon-quality French manicure in the comfort of your own home.

CreditsPictures Courtesy of:

www.mavala.co.uk/images/manicure1.jpg

http://www.homeware-store.co.uk/bodycare.health.and.beauty,uc115.html

http://alzheimers.about.com/od/givingsupport/ss/hand_nail_4.htm

http://www.riverstonegifts.com/forthehands.htm

http://www.tamilthunder.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5313

http://flickr.com/photos/28415157@N00/1138634559/

http://www.superstock.com/stock-photos-images/1487R-59484

http://www.trim.com/dev/rev1/salesreps/fri.php

http://stylefrizz.com/200712/fashionistas-guide-to-a-perfect-manicure/

http://www.dealextreme.com/products.dx/category.822~page.6

http://www.newbreedlibrarian.org/b2b/hair_dryer/1/

http://flickr.com/photos/70797731@N00/164634158

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tiggsybabes/104839358/in/set-730877/

Created By:

Mandi Block

Thank You to:

Krystal at Details Salon and Spa in Murraysville, PA.