by A. C. O'Brien

Created on: March 27, 2009   Last Updated: April 10, 2011

How To Give Yourself A Classic French Manicure.

What is a classic French manicure?

Traditionally, a classic French manicure is not a lacquered nail at all. It is a nail buffed to a high gloss with a whitened nail tip that looks classic, clean, neat and very well cared for. It was the original,"Green Manicure," as it does not involve chemicals and there is no lacquer applied. It does not need to be removed with polish remover so there is no possibility of absorbing those nasty toxic chemicals through your nail bed or skin or breathing the fumes. The latest attempts of beauty and nail care salons to sell French manicures and French manicure products offer just artistic interpretations of a traditional French Manicure painted on top of your nails, a Trompe D'Oil if you will, a poor imitation of a very simple and very classy look. The painted copy does not have the staying power of a traditional French manicure and, unlike the real thing, it will look quite nasty once it starts to chip. So, is this look for you? Yes?

To achieve a classic French manicure at home you will need a few basic implements. You will need;

- a nail file or an emery board,

- a nail smoother which is a very fine polishing tool for the hail surface, this is not an emery board that you use ont he nail's edge,

- a cuticle trimmer if your cuticles are in rough shape,

- a nail buffer, my favorites are made of chamois, they are soft, durable and work like a charm for the last buff step of a French manicure, buffing cream is optional.

- a white nail tip pencil will also be needed for your final tip whitening,

Now follow these five easy steps for a long lasting neat, elegant and classic look.

1. ~ Start with meticulously clean nails and neatly trimmed smooth cuticles.

2. ~ You need to file your nails to your desired length. An active, functional length works well with this look or it looks pretty if you keep your nails short.

3. ~ Once your nails are filed to the desired length, you need to begin to smooth the nail's surface with your nail smoother. You will be working on the nail itself, not on the edge, you are not. This is done on the surface of the nail that you would normally polish.  Do not work too aggressively or you will thin out and weaken the nail unnecessarily. Take care not to tear or injure your cuticles as the edges of some nail smoothers can be harsh. Try to find one with soft cushioned rubbery edges, it will pay off in fewer hangnails. You should not feel any bumps or ridges

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