What is a French manicure and how is it made?
French manicure is a nail care and painting method. It performs extremely well with both casual wear and more elegant attire. Its natural and neutral look gives the impression of restrained elegance, which is why a lot of women choose this type and ask this nail from the nail technician to this day.
If you would like more information about what exactly a French manicure is, keep reading my post, and you can get all the answers for your questions about French manicure!
What will this post be about?
✓ What is it and where does it come from?
✓ How is it made?
✓ Steps and the course of a French manicure
✓ French manicure before/after
✓ What types does it have?
✓ For whom is it recommended?
✓ What is the difference between a French manicure and a traditional manicure?
✓ What is the difference between Japanese and French manicures?
What is a French manicure?
The identifier of the French manicure is the pink or nude polish with white nail tips, which gives a well-groomed and stylish look. The white tip used to follow the smile line of the nails, but today we can encounter thinner or thicker lacquer forms, even extending to the middle of the nail. French manicures also include the use of skin-dissolving fluid or soap soaking, the removal of skin adhering to the nail plates and polishing.
The origin of French manicure
There are many stories revolving around the origins of French manicure. Some say it does not even come from France and the name only comes from its style.
According to the most common story, in the 1970s, Jeff Pink, the founder of Orly, first applied the technique in Los Angeles. During film productions, the actors had to change many times, which is why it was important that their nails also look good for all costumes and scenes.
However, many argue that in the 18th century, it was a Parisian doctor, named Sitté, who developed the French manicure with a strong emphasis on the health of the nails. With various oils and rosewood, he achieved the full whiteness of the smile line and the pink color up to the smile line.
How is a French manicure made?
The French manicure also begins with a preparation process, in which the first step is the cleaning of the nails. After the cleaning, the skin adhered to the nail is pushed up with a special skin-releasing liquid, followed by filling and pushing up the cuticle.
After that you can apply the primer coat and then the colors. There are two ways to paint the polishes: one is when you paint the nail tips white first, following the smile line, and the other is when you first apply the pink or beige base and then white after drying.
Steps of a French manicure
- Removal of the nail polish and any kind of contamination, dirt
- Application of skin-dissolving fluid
- Pressing back the cuticle
- Filing
- Lacquering
- Applying the top coat
The course of a French manicure
01
Firstly, remove any kind of dirt or contamination from the nails with salicylic acid or nail polish remover.
02
Applying a skin-dissolving liquid or cream that works in about 1 minute and softens the adherent skin, making it easier to push it back.
03
Pressing the cuticle back with an orange stick. Do not cut the pressed back cuticle, as this can damage the condition of the nail, which can also cause an infection.
04
Filling the nails ends into shape, polishing the nail. The delicately rounded, oval shape is the most popular, but many also like the more angular shapes.
05
After that, it comes the lacquering. The use of a primer is recommended to protect your nails. We can start with the white nail tips or the base color, in both cases precision and practice are important. For a straight, dividing line, it is recommended to use a sticker that can be easily peeled off the nail after drying.
06
Top coat for the long-lasting lacquering.
Types of French manicure
The most common types are white ends following the smile line, a pink base and a rounded or oval shape. In contrast to that, we can now come across a great deal of designs, whether different in shape or color. Some prefer square shapes, others prefer black nail tips or glittery top coat.
For whom is it recommended?
It is recommended for those who love clean, restrained, yet elegant and classic, well-groomed nails. Similarly for those who care that their nails are always in harmony with their attire.
What is the difference between a French manicure and a traditional manicure?
In a traditional manicure, instead of skin-dissolving fluid, soaking is used to soften the cuticle and adherent skin, as well as, during a traditional manicure cut out the cuticle.
What is the difference between Japanese and French manicures?
Japanese manicure means beeswax care for the nail plate, which will make the nail stronger and shinier. Japanese manicures are preferred by those who want to care for their natural nails or those who want to care for their weak or cracked nails. The powder and the liquid should be mixed in the right proportions to achieve the correct shape and effect.
