If
you're ready to move beyond dark, wintry polish shades, this cheery take on a
classic French manicure is a deceptively easy way to freshen up your nails. All
you'll need to get the look is three polish shades, topcoat, and some scotch
tape. You don't need any painting skills for this one, so to get the look, just
keep reading.
Begin
by applying a bright pink polish (two coats of OPI Guy Meets Gal-Veston), then
layered on Sally Hansen Insta-Dry topcoat. Let the base set for about an hour
just to make sure it's completely dry.
Next,
it's time for tape and tips. Gently place a strip of tape across each nail,
covering the entire nail bed but not the free edge (your "tip").
Then, paint on two coats of teal and lilac polishes; we used MAC Salad Dressed
and Ginger + Liz I'm So Over Him. Let the paint dry for about five minutes
before slowly peeling off the tape. To keep your manicure from having a ridge
at the tip, make sure to seal your nails with one more layer of topcoat. Then
you're good to go — simple as that.
the
French manicure has a regal connotation to it that represents class, elegance
and a sense of high quality grooming. Having said that, plenty of people today
feel that the French manicure is out of style and would even consider it
cheesy. Whichever way you decide to go, I still think the French manicure is
the quintessential way to paint your nails for your wedding day. It's soft,
understated and shows that you pay attention to detail.
For
those of you who are unfamiliar with the French manicure, I have pictured it
here for you. A white stripe is painted to the tops of the nails (I prefer a
soft, square cut nail with a thin stripe) and then a sheer, pale pink or beige
toned polish is applied on top. Here are a few French manicure kits to choose
from.
Sally
Hansen French Manicure Kit, $6, includes a really cool feature. Inside are a
set of stickers for you to apply to your nails so that you can create
professional looking, no mess white tips. Once you apply the tips, peel off the
stickers and then apply the soft colored nail polish on top. The kit also
includes a topcoat and super clear and easy instructions.
Orly
French Manicure Kit, $6, will give you a very natural looking manicure! This
kit includes a polish, a base coat, white tips (you can choose from two
different styles; straight or half
