A Foolproof Guide to Doing a French Manicure

Clean, crisp, and chic, the French manicure is perfect for any occasion. However the delicate white tips can be a tricky nail look to achieve. Here’s our foolproof guide to doing French tips.

Products you need to create a classic French manicure

Cuticle pusher

Nail file

Base coat

Pink polish

White polish

Top coat

Cuticle oil

How to do French tips, step by step

Prepare the nail

Push back your cuticles to create a bigger area for your nail polish to adhere to. You also don’t want raggy or messy cuticle spoiling the final look.

File nails into the desired shape and length

The perfect nail shapes for the French manicure are almond, square, or ‘squoval’ nails. File from the edges into the middle and check that all the nails are symmetrical. French tips look great on any nail length, just remember that if your nails are short, the thinner the white tip should be.

Apply base coat

A good base coat gives the nail polish something to cling to, but it also smooths and protects the natural nail.

Apply your chosen colour

We think a sheer pink or even a builder gel makes for a great French manicure. Can’t decide which shade you want as your base? Look at your skin tone. Rosy pinks look great on fair skin while deeper nudes look amazing on medium to darker skin tones.

Paint on the classic white tip

Okay, this is where you get your white nail polish and steady your hand. When your base polish is dry, of course. There are a few ways you can paint a perfect French tip.

Use a fine detail brush, paint on a curve and fill in the gap. You can also use a flat or angled brush.

Start at the sides, then round the edge where the lines meet in the middle.

Use a top coat

Happy with your mani? Seal it with top coat for protection and shine.

Apply cuticle oil

Apply cuticle oil to each finger to nourish your hands and nails and prolong your manicure.

What different version of the French manicure should I try?

The ombre French manicure is a modern version of the classic. The difference between the classic design and the ombre is that instead of clean lines, the ombre is all about blending the colours. One colour at the base of the nails blends into another at the tip. Why not give it a go?

Ready to create your own design?

At Nicely Polished, you’ll find everything you need to create the perfect French tips. From base coats to pretty pinks and opaque white polish, we’ve got it all.

For more articles on nail care and the latest products to elevate your manicures, check out the rest of our blog.