A French Affair

Hello all!

So, after I painted my nails with OPI Nail Lacquer Funky Dunkey, I got a little bored with the simplicity of it. I've seen many examples of a colored French manicure, and I've always wanted to try it. The only thing that held me back was that I thought it was harder than it looked. It actually isn't.

For a colored French manicure, you only need the following things:

1. base coat (if desired to prevent staining of your nails)

2. nail color (main nail color)

3. tip color (this will be the color used to create your tips)

4. scotch tape

5. top coat

With the color French I'm about to show you, my nail color was OPI Nail Lacquer Funky Dunkey and my tip color was Sinful Colors Why Not.

Step 1: apply base coat to nails (if desired).

Step 2: apply two-three coats of your nail color choice. Allow nails to dry completely.

Step 3: when nail color is completely dry, take small pieces of scotch tape and apply it to where the curve of your upper nail starts (if your nails are rounded) or about 2-3mm from the end of your nail (if your nails are square or you're not sure what shape their in) on the hand that is not your dominant hand. Apply tape with the smooth side up for a straight, smooth line when it comes time to apply the tip color.

Step 4: with the color that you've picked out for your tips, carefully paint the color onto the area not covered with tape. As soon as you're done with painting the tip of that nail, remove the piece of tape. DO NOT allow the polish to dry with the tape still on, this will cause the polish underneath the tape to come off and possibly the tips as well. Repeat with remaining nails on your non-dominant hand. Allow tips to fully dry.

Step 5: repeat steps 3 and 4 with your dominant hand.

Step 6: once all nails are dry, apply a layer of top coat over nails to seal and protect your newly painted nails.

And this is what it should look like:

This is flash on.

This is flash off.

So I hope you all like this and that it helps you!

-Amanda