I love painting my nails — who doesn’t?! — and my favorite go-to for a classy look is an easy french manicure. It’s so clean, professional, and will go with whatever outfit you happen to wear.
But, if you were anything like me a couple years ago…I royally failed at getting it to look like it was professionally done. Until about a year ago when I started doing my french manicures a different way. Now I get clean, polished, professional white tips every time! 🙂 So let’s jump right into it!
Easy French Manicure Step-by-Step Tutorial!
First up, you have to have all the supplies! It’s pretty simple — the nail polishes you would normally need for a french manicure along with a flat nail brush and acetone. I, personally, like ORLY polishes, but Sally Hansen is also one of my favorite, more affordable, brands.As far as tools go, you can find some at Ulta but Sally’s Beauty Supply also has a nice variety of them available. I would go for a stiff, flat brush that will give you the really clean line you want. 🙂
Contrary to what I typically do when I give myself a manicure, I do not apply a basecoat when I do a french manicure. You’ll see why, later. But for now, just make sure your nails are filed, cleaned and your cuticles done.
The next step is to take your white polish and apply it to the tip of your nails. Don’t worry about being super-neat , just apply a thin, even layer. Let it set for 5 or 10 seconds before going on to the next step.
Okay, now the fun begins and the magic happens! 🙂 Dip your flat nail brush into the acetone and then sweep it across your nail, giving your white tips a clean edge. Don’t have too much acetone on your brush, or it could leak all over your hail and ruin the edges of your white polish.Ta-Da — now you have a very clean, polished, and professional looking white tip. Let’s just finish it up now.
I have this step as optional, because sometimes I just skip it. Why? Because I feel like it doesn’t look as natural. But if you like to have a very pinky nail bed, then by all means continue with this step! I enjoy doing this on special occasions and use this pink-toned polish from Orly.Now, for this step, I don’t apply this as a typical polish. I take care to just apply it all over my nail bed, making sure not to get any on the white polish. I do this because I don’t like when the pink gets onto the white…it doesn’t look as professional. In my opinion! If you like the pink over the white tip, just do it like you normally would. 🙂
Last step! All you have to do now is apply the top coat. Make sure you’re nail polish is completely dry before you do this step, so you don’t smear the colors together. And now your easy french manicure is complete!
If you give this a try, I’d love it if you’d tag me and hashtag #LadyKaty92 on any of my social medias so that I can find it!
I hope you enjoyed this really simple, really easy french manicure nail tutorial. I find it’s easy to do, dries really quickly, and looks really professional. Tell me what you think in the comments below!
Ravin Review says
Going to try this on the weekend! How long does your last? Love it!
Katie Garvin says
Hey, great! Share a pic on social media and tag me! I’d love to see it!
I actually find that french manicures last a little longer on my than a typical manicure. I would say my French tips last maybe a day or two short of a week on me. I am really rough on my hands, though, so keep that in mind. If you’re nicer to your hands, it would probably last much longer. 🙂
Brandy Miller says
This is great! I don't have a steady hand so I was a little skeptical about your title but I totally think I could pull this off! Thanks for the tip!
Katie Garvin says
I have *very* shaky hands, Brandy, and I’m able to get these clean lines. 🙂 Give it a try and let me know how it goes!
Ashley Davis says
Great tips! I always love a good french manicure. I usually go with gel for a french manicure because it always seem to chip on me.
Katie Garvin says
Yeah, nail polish usually chips early on me, too. But I bought a gel-like top coat from the drugstore the other day and it works really well.
Another tip is to apply a top coat to your nails every other day. This helps keep them looking fresh and helps with chipping, too!
Noor Unnahar says
I love French mani so much but I usually mess up while doing my manicure, haha! thank you so much for an easy tutorial.
Katie Garvin says
This will help you solve that problem! It always comes out with really clean lines.
Melanie Renee says
This is a really helpful tutorial.. Love it!
Katie Garvin says
I am so glad you found it helpful!
Made in Mauve says
Beautiful French manicure and wonderful tutorial!
Made in Mauve
Katie Garvin says
Thank you, hope you try it sometime soon!
Salinn says
Thanks for sharing this tutorial. I’ve tried doing french nails before and they didn’t look very good. I will have to try like this sometime.
Katie Garvin says
I know, I struggled with that, too — they always looked like a two year old had had a go at it on my hand….until I tried using a nail brush! Now it’s beautiful! 😀
Arianna Henderson says
I can’t wait to try this! Thanks for creating such an easy, helpful tutorial!
Arianna | AriannaHenderson.com
Katie Garvin says
Have fun, and tag me in your pics after you’re done, I want to see! 😀
Robin Wilson says
I have always thought this would be too hard to try at home, but you make it look very easy! Thanks!
Katie Garvin says
It takes a wee bit of practice, but you get the hang of it pretty easy. Give it a try!
dora trani says
Beautiful French manicure and wonderful tutorial!
Katie Garvin says
Thank you!
Elva Roberts says
I really loved your tutorial. I will probably gather up these supplies and try it on my nails. Thank you so much for this lesson.
Katie Garvin says
If you give this tutorial a try, please tag me in your picture on one of my social medias — I would love to see!!
Mai Tran says
This is truly easy! And looks subtle!
Katie Garvin says
Yes, I thought so, and had to share!
Natalia says
Interesting technique! I will def. try it sometime. Thanks 🙂
Katie Garvin says
Hope it works for you!
Amber says
What a perfect mani!! I never thought to do the white tip first, but it would make for such a nice clean line. Great tutorial!
Katie Garvin says
Yes, it does! And making sure to not get the pink on top of the white also keeps it clean and polished, in my opinion 🙂
Chritsine says
You killed this nail look! WOW! Your nails look amazing!
Katie G says
Thank you! I love the classic look of the french tip manicure!
shaunda says
LOVE this look and your tips!!!
Aline says
Thanks so much for this tutorial, it actually works!