how to do french nails at home

french tip nails are a staple nail design that has been around since the 1930s. consisting of a sheer pink base color and a white tip, this nail look is timelessly chic. learn how to do a classic french manicure to elevate your at-home nail game.

what you'll need

 

Four bottles of nail poilish with two nail art tools
  • essie basecoat & topcoat
  • a classic essie sheer (like mademoiselle)
  • your desired essie french tip color (like blanc)
  • a fine detail nail-art brush
  • a clean-up brush (try an angled eyeliner or flat concealer brush)
  • 1

    prep nails

    before starting your french manicure, make sure your nails are prepped and cleansed with polish remover. any leftover oil or residue can lead to chips later on. begin with a thin layer of your favorite essie basecoat. this will anchor the polish to your nails, ensuring a chip-free finish. give time to dry before moving on to the next step.
  • 2

    apply sheer nail polish

    apply one to two coats of your favorite essie sheer to all nails. you can use a sheer pink like mademoiselle or a sheer beige like of corset.
  • 3

    paint the smile line

    dip a fine detail brush into your desired french tip color. for a classic french manicure, opt for a crisp white like blanc. for a softer french tip, try a sheer white like limo-scene. using the brush, trace a curved smile line on your nail where your natural tip begins.
  • 4

    customize your french tip manicure

    customize your french tip nails simply by adjusting the curve and depth of your smile line. to elongate your nails, polish a dramatically curved smile line, with the ends reaching slightly further down the sidewalls of each nail. for a contemporary “micro french” polish the thinnest line just at the tip of each nail, slightly curved at the edges. you can even polish an edgy diagonal french manicure, with an asymmetrical curve at the tip.
  • 5

    clean up!

    polishing along the tip of the nail can be tricky and getting polish on the cuticles is common, but easy to fix. dip a clean-up brush in pure acetone and gently wipe away any stray polish around your cuticles or finger. it will be easier to do this while the nail polish is still wet. as acetone is drying on the skin, make sure to moisturize with a cuticle oil and hand cream once your manicure is dry.
  • 6

    seal in your french tip nails

    once the polish has dried, apply your desired essie topcoat. for a classic french tip manicure, a top coat with a glossy finish is typically preferred. gel.setter is a great option for sealing-in nail art with a glossy veneer. try 'gel setter' top coat for a gel-like finish.
  • 7

    personalize your french tip nails

    personalize your at home french nails by polishing your tips with the season’s “it” color for a trendy look. take it a step further and polish every tip a different color for a french multi-mani. for a glamorous twist, bedazzle your french tips with rhinestones or pearls, or add an eye-catching glitter cuff to the cuticle area.

shop french mani must-haves

french manicure FAQs

  • a french manicure can be done on both short and long nails, offering a classic, elegant look for any nail length. whether you prefer french tips on short nails for a touch of understated chic or bolder long french tips, timeless french tips will always add a touch of sophistication to your mani.