MODS: if you wanna move it to the lounge, I get it... just thought people who knew about the original post would see it here...not there
Thanks

Hello! Not by popular request, I did a tutorial about how to give your self a French manicure º you can do it with toes too. I sit in a chair and do it, but I still love a good pedicure! Ohh or get your hubby to do it! Just say babe if you do it, it will save $35 instead of me going to the salon! I don¡¦t go over the main clipping and maintenance, I didn¡¦t have time tonight, sorry girls! Total cost for supplies is less than $20 and the products should last about a year doing your nails 3-4 times a month

What you need:

Enough time to sit still and not mess up your beautiful nails while they are drying. The first time I would give yourself 30-45 min total. Takes me less than 20 now.

Nail clippers- I like toenail clippers they give a better shape
Cuticle trimmer¡Xif you really need them
7 sided nail buffer- VITAL if you have ridges! I do but you can¡¦t see em cause I get rid of them.
White nail polish- I use ORLY French manicure
Base coat, mine has a pink tint to it and is called Beauty secrets
Top Coat, mine is blue (?!?!) and is Beauty Secrets I would use the same base and top coat brand it also helps dry the under coats and dries pretty fast
100% PURE Acetone- I use CVS pro polish remover. Don¡¦t worry its not bad for your nails. If you don¡¦t use pure acetone you won¡¦t clean your brush off and it will streak. I have done it.
Brush of your choice, I like the rounded tip. I picked up a bag of 5-7 brushes at Wal-Mart for $8 bucks, lots of different sizes and types to practice with to see what you like. mine is Artcolor ¡§4¡¨
Patience! If you mess up just finish the good nails and come back to the bad one.

1.  Cut, file, buff nails
2.  wash hands and dry thoroughly
3.  put on white nail polish, you want to cover the whole natural white part of your nail. Remember you can always take it off so load up! I start with my right hand and go to my right, then put on a second coat.
4.  dip the brush in acetone and dab a little so its not dripping wipe of the white nail polish slowly until it is the curve and thickness you want. Every couple of strokes rinse the brush in acetone
5.  repeat 9 times and try not to mess up your nails while doing it! I still ALWAYS do.
6.  let dry for a few minutes then take your base coat and only paint the non white part of the nail
7.  let dry longer 5-8 min and then brush the whole nail with the top coat.
8.  sit and relax till dry!

I am not ambidextrous but it¡¦s not too hard to get reasonable looking nails. When doing my ¡§wrong¡¨ hand I brace with the right hand. And I keep my brush sweeping perpendicular to the nail. In no time you will be doing it quickly I hope this helps out alil. Keep in mind that people do not look at your nails up close they are usually a few feet away, and anything looks better from a distance! You can also do this with a less white polish to get the ¡§American¡¨ look. I like a thicker line, but a thin line looks really chic on short nails.

Sorry for the long directions, and the lack of any audio for the nails. I don¡¦t have editing software on this computer º

Questions just ask away º



I wish I could embed the video... but I can't so check it out on you tube

THANK YOU sooooo much for the tutorial and video! I know what I will be doing tomorrow (going to get supplies). I am sure my husband will thank you if I can do it right (and also my pocket book!).

I just thought of something...

careful with buying a synthetic brush as the acetone might melt it....

also, it takes practice, mostly the "bad" nails will still look good.

A thin line looks really pretty, i just like the thick line look. on shorter nails thin looks really pretty

OK for all the skeptics who may have wondered if this technique works........it sure does!

I read the post 1st thing this morning...and I have already successfully completed my 1st trial run. I didn't have all the right products and it turned out pretty good with only minor errors.

I expect perfection once I have all the "correct" supplies!

Just thought I would let you know since I see many views but hardly any replies. It does work.

Thanks for the info!

Thanks for the tutorial. I can't wait to get the supplies and try this.

I am trying your method as I type this! Waiting for the white coat to dry. hehe

Although I have not tried this method myself, I can tell you it DOES work! When I was on vacation in Florida last year I received a mani/pedi from the spa at the resort we were staying in, and this is exactly how they did my manicure! I was amazed! I also like really thin white lines...looks so neat and "clean"!

Thanks for the info, that is cool. I will have to try it.

cambro! This is exactly why I started doing it! I could never just paint the line, then i saw this technique and said.. i can do that!

I would do mine that way, but the last bottle of white french tip polish I bought has a TEENY TINY brush on it! So, it's a breeze now! If I ever can't find this particular polish/brush again, then I'll definitely be doing mine this way!

Rocketgirl899:

I knew you would post this tutorial!!! Thanks and like I said before you have the coolest tutorials. Can't wait to try it!

Now I totally want to do my nails!

Thanks!

Now, if I had some nails! I might actually have to grow them to try this!

Thanks so much for posting this! I actually was going to get my nails done. I spend about $45 where I live just for a french. Including tip. I must try this!!

CourtNChris

$45 for just a french?! this is insane! I could understand it for a special day, like your wedding, or a special treat (once a year) but nails need to be done often.

Imagine if we all painted out own nails, the magnificant rainy day fund we would have.... or in my case.. more cake toys )

Post your pics ladies! Come its really easy to snap a photo with your cell!

cambo! good luck with your cakes I just got an order for a cake at the end of march... only problem is that its a Sugarshack cake, and i gotta live up to it!

dont mind the ugly cuticles! All I had time to do was paint. This is after 4 days......

see i told you they look better from a distance.

I just did mine nd while they aren't perfect they look pretty darn good.

Make sure you wash ALL the acetone off your nails. and replace your nail brush at least every couple months because bacteria and stuff grow in it.


Beauty school told me so


And when you do white, make sure you do it in thin coats. You can see where it's too thick if you mess it up. It takes a while longer, but looks much cleaner in the long run.


To keep your cuticles nice and moist so they don't peel or grow too fast, try using some Burt's Bees Butter Cuticle Cream before bed and wash if off in the morning. It has a lemon scent and is cheap, but works awesomely well.

French Manicured Cake?

cake_princes.. i dont get what you mean!?!