French Manicure at Home

[MichelleH]

Tonight I'm doing my nails with a Sally Hansen French Manicure kit. I tried once before I thought they came out OK, but could be improved.-I posted a photo on DanaJ'a Nail Pix site. Has anyone else used this or a similar product? Any tricks to get better results?

MichelleH

[DanaJ]

Hi Michelle - I have done my nails with this kit before, believe it or not, you should try it without using the stencils. It takes practice, but once you get just the right amount of polish on the brush, just go across the nail and try to make a smooth "swipe" - sounds hard but it gets easier. One thing, you have to pretty much do it in one swipe, that white polish gets gloppy and doesn't take to touchups too well. Let it dry really well before putting the pink coat on.

This sounds like a good thread for the Beauty Club - thanks Michelle! :)

DanaJ

[Katrina]

I tried the kits too and I have had the best luck just doing the swipe method too. It took me a couple of tries to get it right, but I think it looks better that way. I've also heard that manicurists don't use a stencil either.

[Tristen Cox]

I have actually found doing the french 'dip' came out rather well with a few practices. Even got a compliment on how well it looked. I would honestly go out in public after doing my own - they looked so good. Just get the 'swipe' down good and no need for a stensil. My two cents. Next time I do it I'll post pics up in the beauty club.

[MichelleH]

Thanks for the advice. As DanaJ said, I noticed that the white polish is difficult to work with. I'll try the "swipe" method next time.

The instructions don't say to use a base coat but almost always apply a clear base coat under my nail polish. Do you use one with this kit?

MichelleH

[Tristen Cox]

Personal opinion: always use a basecoat. Protects the nail from discoloring etc...

[MichelleH]

I just tried a very nice kit for in-home gel nails. It's called Nailene Quick Gels. It comes with 3 kinds of tips: clear for a natural look, opaque for use when you're going to apply polish, and french. I have so far only tried the french tips and it gave a very professional look. It's also easy to do--all you have to do is glue on the tip, buff the edge smooth, and cover it with the gel. With just a couple of coats of gel you get a really smooth and glossy finish. Has anybody else tried this kit or others that they like?

MichelleH

[Clare]

Believe it or not, i don't like French Manicures!

Oh well, everyone to their own i suppose!

Christine