When it comes to manicures, there's no shortage of styles and poses to let your style shine! One of the most popular is the French manicure. This aesthetically polished pose promises clean, gorgeous hands in just a few brushstrokes. But how do you do it at home? Discover the right steps.

How to have beautiful nails at home? This question is on many lips... but fortunately, it's not impossible to reproduce your favourite manicure style yourself! But it does take time, practice and, above all, the right equipment. The French manicure can be frightening because of its complex reputation (but it's already less complicated than nail art), but with a minimum of practice (and patience, always patience), you can quickly achieve a stunning result. We explain how to do your manicure at home.

What exactly is a French manicure? 

French manicure is a manicure technique that involves applying opaque white nail polish to the tip of the nail, followed by clear nail polish over the entire nail surface. This particular application method gives nails a clean, neat and natural look. It's almost like a classic manicure! Very much in vogue in the 2010s, it's a trend that hasn't wavered and is still very much in vogue today on the hands of beauty addicts.

For the record, the French manicure was invented in the 70s in France and has since become very popular worldwide. It is often associated with an elegant, professional look, and is commonly used for weddings, formal events or even just for everyday use. The French manicure can be performed in a beauty salon or at home, using manicure kits specially designed for this technique.

What are the different steps involved in a successful French manicure? 

A successful French manicure is quick and easy, but the application steps must be carefully followed. Here are the key steps to a perfect French manicure at home:

Equipment required 

First and foremost, make sure you have the materials you need. It's the key to a successful French manicure: 

• Nail polish remover
• Cotton pads or tissues
• A wooden stick
• A nail file
• A transparent base for nail polish
• Opaque white nail polish
• Un vernis à ongles transparent

The different steps to follow 

Note that a French manicure cannot be performed on short nails. It requires a minimum length to be successful.

1. To begin, remove all nail polish from your nails using nail polish remover and a cotton ball or tissue. Then run a cleansing brush over and under your nails. Nails must be clean and totally bare! 
2. File your nails to the desired shape (almond, square, pointed, oval).
3. Protégez l'ongle en posant avant tout un sérum fortifiant ongles qui va nourrir l'ongle avant la pose d'une base protectrice.
4. Then apply a thin coat of clear nail polish to all your nails and leave to dry.
5. Apply two coats of opaque white nail polish to the tips of your nails and leave to dry. If you're a beginner, you can use nail guides (a kind of stencil) to help you apply the white nail polish in a straight line.
6. Clean the edges of your nails with a wooden stick soaked in nail polish remover, or with a cotton ball, tissue or nail polish remover pen (the most precise).
7. As a final step, apply a coat of clear nail polish to all your nails to set the color and make them shine... And voilà, your impeccable French manicure is complete!

Tips for applying white nail polish with your fingertips 

We're all agreed that applying the white stripe that will finalize your French manicure can be frightening, so here's a little focus to help you see things more clearly. 

Use a nail guide: You can use nail guides to help you apply white nail polish straight and precisely. Nail guides are stickers or strips that you place on the tip of your nail to create a straight, clean line.

Use a fine brush: Use a fine brush to apply white nail polish. A fine brush will allow you to work with precision and create straight, clean edges.

Apply two thin coats: Apply two thin coats of white nail polish rather than one thick coat. Thin coats dry faster and give a more even look.

Wait for the varnish to dry before removing the guides: If you use nail guides, wait for the white varnish to dry before removing the guides to avoid tearing the varnish.

Correct mistakes with a nail polish remover brush: If you make a mistake when applying white polish, use a fine brush soaked in nail polish remover to correct the line.

Be patient: Take your time and be patient when applying white nail polish. If you're in a hurry, you risk making mistakes that can be difficult to correct.