7 Tips for an at-Home French Manicure ...

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Make sure your hands are clean to start with. I mean, they need to be squeaky clean. This might seem like it's totally self-explanatory, but you might have lotion, old nail polish, or polish remover residue on your hands. Just scrub them up well and take a nail brush to your nails. Make sure you get your cuticles clean as well.

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Next up, you're going to want to get your nails clipped down. The length doesn't really matter. It should be what you're comfortable with. Naturally, if you're using fake nails, you will probably want them shorter – and there are a whole lot of other steps that should be in here, but since I am absolutely horrible at applying fake nails, I can't really help you hear.

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Once you've clipped, you need to file. It is important to refine the shape of your nails. Again, you can choose any shape you want. If you want square tipped or oval nails, go to it. Just be careful, make sure the edges are smoothed, and don't get any snags. I'd recommend washing your hands again after this, so you can get rid of all that filing residue.

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You have to give your nails time to dry completely. Repeat this step after every step that involves painting anything on your nails as well. If you end up making a mistake and needing to use nail polish remover at any time, repeat the steps where you wash thoroughly and dry completely as well. I've noticed that any nail polish remover residue on your fingers will ruin the paint job.

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For a base coat, your options vary. You might want something completely clear. Bare, almost nonexistent pink shades are popular as well, as are nude colors. Either way, apply lightly, do as thin a coat as you can while getting coverage. If you're confident, you can do more coats, but one really ought to do it. Allow your polish to dry completely!

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Now you're ready for your white tips. You might want to use a guide. I've never had a lot of luck with those myself, but here's a tip – haha, tip! Get it? Anyway: you know those polishes they have now that basically come in the form of a pen? Those are very helpful in giving you the precision you need to give your French manicure that classic white tip. Of course, you don't have to go with white if you don't want to. You can use any color you like.

Photo Credit: Körmönfont (Egerszegi Szilvia)

This step is really optional. If you want to put on some nail art, however, now is the time to do it. French tips actually look really beautiful with nail art, especially in shades of vivid pink.

And there you have it! A French manicure made easy! What is your favorite thing to do with your nails? And anyone: how do you keep your polish from smudging up right away? That always happens to me!

Top Photo Credit: Körmönfont (Egerszegi Szilvia)