Looking for a quick French-tip hack, the super quick video below will give you some out-the-door inspo immediately! 

What You’ll Need to Create a French Manicure

As we jump into Basurto’s tutorial, your first reaction may be to freak out about the long supplies list. Rest assured, however, there’s no need to worry. These are all simple items you can find online or at your local store. Occasionally, some are even sold together—and you never know what you may already have stored in your bathroom. Below are Basurto’s key buys, along with some of our specific product picks.

1. Nail Soaking Bowl

Soaking your nails is key to loosening up and softening your cuticles and surrounding skin. This makes for easier hangnail removal and cuticle trimming. You don’t want to start your nail routine with completely dry hands, which can lead to a painful and ineffective outcome. So grab a tiny bowl from the store, or snag a little dish from your kitchen.

2. Cuticle Pusher

Once your nails are adequately soaked (aka they either look fresh from the bathtub, or your cuticles have movement), you’ll want to push those annoying nail-bed liners back a bit. This will offer more space for your design.

3. Cuticle Trimmer

In addition to pushing back your cuticles, you may also want to trim them. This, too, will offer more space (cuticles get in the way!), and also get rid of dead, unnecessary skin.

4. Nail File

You can find nail files anywhere, but to maintain the integrity of your nail beds and your natural nails’ growth, we recommend opting for something high quality. Our personal pick is the MARGARET DABBS LONDON Crystal Nail File. Not only does it look sleek, but it actually seals the keratin layers in your nails together at the edge. It also helps keep your polish from peeling or chipping.

5. Base Coat

Think of a base coat for your nails the way you think of a primer for your face. It’s an invisible first layer that helps secure the remaining coats (or layers) to follow. 

6. Sheer Light Pink or Nude Polish

This next step is a matter of personal preference. Sheer, baby-pink nail polish adds a layer of femininity to the nail design, while the nude may stand out a bit more. It’s your call. If sheer pink is your vibe, we live for the iconic ESSIE Mademoiselle. And if you’re a nude girlie, we consider the HOUSE OF MAKEUP Nail Lacquer in Flat White a foolproof shade. Don’t be confused by the name—it’s not actually white. 

7. White Nail Polish

Dun dun dun…we’ve reached the most important supply in our hunt for how to do a French manicure. Your white polish of choice is key, so listen up. You want something deeply pigmented and classic white. In other words, the closer the color match to Casper the Ghost, the better! When we’re in a bind, we can always rely on the TINCT COSMETICS Nail Polish in Bilbao. Not only does the color pop, but it’s 15-free (meaning it’s clear of 15 harmful chemicals you might find in other polishes).

8. Thin-Line Nail Brush

Here’s another key part of the design process: You’ll need a pin-thin brush to construct those precise arched tips. LE MINI MACARON Le Round Brush is our go-to for all things manis across the board. In addition to helping shape a mean French mani design, it’s also great for removing excess polish from various parts of the nail with nail polish remover. 

9. Topcoat

Whew, you made it this far into your shopping list! We’re almost at the finish line, but you can’t forget a topcoat to seal in all that hard work you’ve put in. We always reach for CIATÉ LONDON GELOLOGY Top Coat because not only does it stay on for ages, but it provides that glossy, gel-like finish that we typically only get in the salon.

10. Cuticle Oil

Last, but certainly not least, salon-level nails aren’t complete without cuticle oil. The CUCCIO SOMATOLOGY Milk & Honey Cuticle Revitalizing Oil is a nourishing, easy-to-apply formula that attracts moisture and keeps those cuticles looking fresh.

How to Do a French Manicure at Home Like a Pro

1. Soak Nails 

Give your nails the same treatment you’d give your skin. Would you slap makeup on without prepping the face with skincare? We hope not. 

“Prepping the nails is an essential step to ensuring a beautiful and long-lasting manicure,” Basurto says. “Begin the prep by soaking your nails in warm water and soap. Feel free to substitute the soap for some cuticle softener if you have it on hand, and soak your hands for about five minutes.” 

2. Care for Cuticles

Cuticle care is half the battle when it comes to any given manicure. The shorter the cuticles, the more room you have for your artistic creation.

“When finished soaking, use a cuticle pusher to push back the cuticles at the base of your nail bed,” Basurto advises. “Then, trim off any excess skin with your cuticle trimmer.”

3. File Nails

French manis don’t discriminate. File to whatever shape you fancy, and prepare to get creative. 

“French manis look stunning with any and all nail shapes, so feel free to choose the shape that suits your style best,” Basurto says.

4. Apply Base Coats

This next step is easy, as far as application is concerned. But you’ll want to take note of Basurto’s pointers when it comes to selecting specific shades. 

“Now that all the prep work is complete, apply an even layer of a clear base coat to your entire nails,” she says. “Once this has been applied, you can apply your sheer color. Picking between a sheer pink or sheer nude is a personal choice, depending on the look you’re going for. With either color you choose, I recommend picking a polish that best suits your skin tone, and can act as a natural base color. Once you’ve got your polish, apply one to two thin layers depending on how deep of a color you want your pink or nude base to look.”

5. Apply Polish to the Tip of the Nail

OK, now’s the time to put away all your distractions. Your fingers need your focus. 

“This part is the most detailed and takes the most time to apply, but with a little practice, you can become an expert in no time,” Basurto says. “On a thin line brush, take your white polish and draw on what I describe as a frowny face at the top of each individual nail. Once you have your outline, fill in the gaps at the top of your nail to make sure your white polish is nice and bright.”

She adds with a smile, “Rest assured you’ll have nothing to frown about once this look is complete!” 

6. Apply Top Coat

With the toughest part of the task behind you, you can breathe a sigh of relief! You’ve got one step left, and then you can flaunt those little fingers all around town.

“To top off this stunning DIY mani, finish off with your favorite top coat, and allow time to dry,” Basurto says. “Once dry, add some hydrating cuticle oil to the nails, and voila—your classic French mani is complete!”

So, does this mean a French pedicure is next?

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