Posts Tagged ‘white tips’

How to apply French polish like a pro

French polish is a classic look that will never go out of style! Here are a few tips to get your French polish… polished!

Use a brush to perfect your line (this technique allows for maximum control and versatility)

1. Apply white polish to tips and just cover your natural free edge line (apply second coat if necessary)

2. Take a firm, flat brush and dip it in nail polish remover then blot slightly on tissue

3. Use brush to carefully shape your white tip line

4. Apply base coat

5. Apply one or two coats of sheer beige or pink (if desired)

6. Apply top coat

Use tape to perfect your line

(this technique only allows you to create a completely straight line unless you cut it into a curve)

1. Stick a piece of tape on your nail like a stencil where you want your white line to start

2. Apply white polish to exposed tip (apply second coat if necessary)

3. Carefully remove the tape and continue with steps 4, 5, and 6

Use paper hole reinforcements to perfect your line (this technique only allows you to create a completely round line)

1. Stick a paper hole reinforcement to your nail where you want your white line to start

2. Apply white polish to exposed tip (apply second coat if necessary)

3. Carefully remove the reinforcement and continue with steps 4, 5, and 6

Remember, you don’t have to stick with white tips.  Use any color you like!

These are my favorite French tip polishes:

Orly ‘Whiteout’                           Orly ‘Angel Face’                   China Glaze ‘Shocking Pink’ (for tips)

 

We would love to hear your thoughts on the topic of this blog! Feel free to leave your comments or questions below.  As always, just for being a follower of our blog, enter coupon code BLOG10 for 10% off your next purchase! Also, remember to follow us @spaboutique on Twitter, like our Facebook  page, and check out our boards on Pinterest! You could be the lucky winner of one of our many contests!

 

 

 

How to Give Yourself a Pretty Pink French Manicure at Home

The French Manicure has prevailed as the ultimate in nail chic. From day job to dance floor, first date to wedding day, hip to haute couture, it is a beautiful style that many women, since the 1970′s, have desired for their nails. It is chosen because its simplicity and natural look. An added bonus to this particular style is that it matches everything! No matter what outfit or color you put on, the French manicure will match it.

The creation of the famous French manicure can be accredited to Jeff Pink. He worked in Hollywood as a make-up artist. One day a movie producer asked him to come up with a color that would coordinate with all of his leading lady’s costumes. Now what makes a French manicure so French? The reason why we tack “French” on to the front of it is because the idea originated in Paris, France.

 

Here are steps on how to give yourself a pretty pink french manicure at home with some product recommendations from Spa Boutique:

STEP 1 – Prepare and have all your supplies handy. You’ll need the following items:

• 4 types of nail polishes – a base coat and top coat (I recommend Orly Top 2 Bottom Base & Top Coat in One), a tip color (like Orly White Tips), and a transparent color (a natural or pink like Orly Pink Nude ).
• Nail polish remover – I like Orly Extra-Strength Nail Polish Remover
• Cotton pads
• Cuticle oil – I recommend Orly Cuticle Oil+
• Cuticle stick (also known as Orange wood stick)
• Emery board
• Hand & nail moisturizer – I recommend Orly Rich Renewal Ultra Hydrating Crème

STEP 2 – Make some time – don’t rush give yourself some time and do it right.
Find yourself a comfortable place in your home and have a side table for your tools. I can’t remember how many times I tipped a bottle of nail polish being in an awkward position and wished I set myself up better!

STEP 3 – Clean up and get rid of remnants of old varnish with a polish remover. Soak a cotton ball in nail polish remover and wipe off nails.

STEP 4- Soften and repair dry hard cuticles. Put on a generous amount of cuticle oil and rub it in thoroughly.

STEP 5 – File and shape your nails with an emery board. With nail clippers, beauty scissors or a nail file, shape your nails evenly.

STEP 6 – Tidy up cuticles. Soften them in a warm water soak for 5-15 minutes. Or alternatively, you can also apply cuticle oil and moisturizer and wrap your hands in saran wrap – leave for about 10-15 minutes. After soaking in warm water or in saran wrap, gently push back your cuticles with the cuticle stick (also known as a orange wood stick) so they are all even with each other.

STEP 7 – Wash hands and clean away nail dust and grind. Wipe your nails with nail polish remover again to remove oil residues (if you don’t remove the oils your nail polish will flake away and won’t last that long).

STEP 8 – Apply base coat. Apply a clear base cost (in 2-3 stokes) – it prevents pigment (colors from the nail polishes) from seeping into your nails.

STEP 9 – Apply the tips for your french manicure. You can use pink, white or creme. Creme or pink has a more natural look than white. With a steady hand, carefully paint only the tip of each nail. A second coat may be desirable, depending on the thickness and opaqueness of the polish. Allow polish to dry between coats.

For a neater straighter line. You can use strips/stickers than come with some manicure sets. Or you can also make a simple homemade tool by taking a piece of cardboard and cut a diamond shape and pull your nail through the hole. This will help you to apply the tip to your nails and not the skin around it!

STEP 10 – Apply the color. Make sure you don’t have not to much on your nail polish brush (maybe brush on inside of bottle to remove excess before applying on your nails) Let it dry and apply a second coat. Classic top colors are a transparent pink or beige.

STEP 11 – Apply a top coat. Use a hard clear color top coat – it seals the color and protects the nail.

STEP 12 - Wait for your nails to dry. You can use cuticle oil on your nails to avoid lint to stick to your tacky nails after 10 minutes. Ideally it is best to watch a movie and wait at least 1-2 hours to avoid nicks and indentations and have that perfect french manicure that lasts!

STEP 13 - Tidy up your skin around your nails. Use a cuticle stick with a little cotton wrapped around the tip, dab it into your nail polish remover and wipe the skin around the nail carefully. Seal up your nail polish (you can wipe the bottle’s edge with a cotton pad and polish remover so it isn’t sealed shut for the next time you want to use it! )

To lengthen the manicure’s lifespan, make an effort to paint a clear coat on each night. If you are feeling especially creative and ambitious, kick off your shoes and match your tootsies to your fingertips!

Check out this video that demonstrates another method of apply French polish:

We would love to hear your thoughts on the topic of this blog!  Feel free to post your comments or questions below.  As always, just for being a follower of our blog, enter coupon code BLOG10 for 10% off your next purchase! Also, remember to follow us @spaboutique on Twitter, like our Facebook  page, and check out our boards on Pinterest! You could be the lucky winner of one of our many contests!