French manicure
French manicure (French) is a cosmetic procedure that differs in the method of applying varnishes: soft pastel colors (beige or pale pink) on the finger plate and white on the outer tip of the nail.
The inventor of the French manicure is by no means a Frenchman, but an American, Jeff Pink, president of ORLY. The creation of the French manicure was Pink's answer to the request of the Hollywood director to come up with a universal manicure that would fit any dress of the heroines of the film (since it took a huge amount of time to change the nail polish for each scene).
Initially, this method of coating nails was called "Natural look", however, as manicure gained popularity, Pink decided to change the simple name to a more sophisticated one - "French manicure".
Types of French manicure
The main sign of French manicure is the tip of the nail plate, which is different from the color of the nail. Depending on the color and style of the applied coating, there are several main types of French manicure:
- White classic jacket. Sleek, elegant and not too flashy. Assumes the presence of a free edge of the white nail in combination with the pastel shades of the nail plate. Ideal for any outfit and in any situation;
- Colored jacket. Implies the choice of any color for staining the free nail plate;
- Fan French or French vice versa. Beautiful French manicure, in which the nail plate is dark in color and the tip is lighter. Options with an opaque nail bed and a transparent free edge of the nail can also be considered here;
- Stained glass jacket. A type of French manicure that involves building up the free edge of the nail using acrylic or colored gel. Thus, the nails acquire the effect of translucent stained glass and look very unusual;
- Millennium French. A bright, shiny, shimmery French glitter manicure with shimmery gels and acrylics. Perfect holiday manicure;
- Decorative jacket. Beautiful French manicure, which implies decorating the free edge of the nail with various sparkles, beads, foil, rhinestones, dried flowers, etc.
- Stylized jacket (floral jacket, French manicure in the style of Barbery, etc.). A manicure in which any type of painting and design of the free edge of the nail can be used, while there are practically no requirements for the clarity of the transition between the "smile line" and the nail bed.
French manicure at home
How to do a French manicure at home? Professionals recommend purchasing a special set for French manicure, which includes all the necessary tools: a nail file, varnishes (white, colored), and a fixing base. Also, the French manicure set may include self-adhesive stencils to create a "smile" at the tip of the nail.
At home, French manicure should be done only in the classic form - it is quite simple and uncomplicated in execution. It is recommended to entrust the rest of the types of service to specialists.
How to do a French manicure? The execution of a jacket involves the following steps:
- Bath for nails (with warm water, herbal decoction or essential oil). The main feature of French manicure is the symmetrical shape of the nails and the even line of "smile";
- Nail treatment. It means softening the cuticle with a special liquid and removing it with a wooden stick (unedged manicure). Remove burrs with tweezers, file the nails into the required shape;
- Applying a protective coating to the nail plate;
- Sticking stencil strips on nails. They must be glued in such a way that the tip of the nail remains free, but no more than 5 mm. It is recommended to resort to restrictor strips if the experience in creating a French manicure is minimal. Women with good skills in the execution of a jacket to paint a "smile" can use an ordinary brush;
- Application of a white coating. It is carried out in two layers, the second is applied as the first dries. For optimal results, you can paint over the free edge of the nail with a special white pencil on the inside;
- Varnish application. The final touch of a French manicure, the choice of which depends on the type of jacket. In the classic version, it is recommended to use beige, pale pink or peach enamel; when creating an unusual decor, you can use brighter shades;
- Application of fixer varnish.
French manicure is a combination of simplicity and elegance: moderately strict, moderately refined. Perfect for nails of any length. Suitable for women of all ages and any field of employment.
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