French vs. American Manicure
A reader from South Africa emailed me recently about the difference between French and American manicures.
American Manicure (Orly Naked Ivory tip, OPI Bubble Bath)
Popular french manicure tip colors: OPI Alpine Snow and Orly White Tips
Popular American manicure tip colors: OPI Swedish Nude, Kyoto Pearl (shimmer) and Desire
In addition to the two most popular styles, alternatives to the french manicure are becoming very popular. Termed a “funky french” or “reverse french” these new versions are fresh and fun.
Sephora showed a reverse french, with black tips on their spring catalog cover.
Use a glittery, metallic or holographic polish on your tips for a blingtastic funky french. Tip color: OPI Paris Couture for Sure.
Finally, my lame attempt at a 4th of July funky french from last summer. Inspired by one of the MUA nail board gals, I decided to go for it with lots of color and glitter. I used China Glaze Hot Lava Love, OPI Paris Couture For Sure and China Glaze Dorothy Who?.
Helpful hints for “tipped” manicures:
Apply the base, nail bed, color first.
Hold the tip color brush steady and roll your fingertip underneath to get a smooth and even line.
Try using the Sally Hansen French Manicure Pen Kit if you can’t get your polish even.
photos: M_Grace on MUA, Sephora and All Lacquered Up
I didn’t realize the American manicure had a name. Thanks for the info!
I think your 4th of July nails are cute! I might try something similar this year. Usually I paint my nails red, white (or pearl) and blue, alternating fingers. But of course I have ten fingers, not nine, so it doesn’t quite work out evenly!
The 4th of July mani is so cute. I like the glitter one too, good job.
I have worn yellow polish before, back in the 80s I had revlon yellow called flash and fantasy, I think. It was great. Enjoy your yellow, and yes Hooray for working w/ family.
JBD – I love to do themed manis for the holidays. I wear green ever St. Patty’s day, burnt oranges on turkey day, etc. I even do a brown and orange combo to show my support at Cleveland Browns games.
BA – I can’t claim the glitter mani, that’s all M_Grace. She’s like the queen of french manis. Her technique is fantastic.
There’s a yellow creme in the new Zoya Candy collection and I plan to try that one now that I’ve discovered this new love of yellow nails. Even my sig. other loves the look, after a few days of getting used to it.
I have some serious nail envy! M_Grace has the most fantastic nails! I would kill for nails like that. No matter what I do my nails are always in horrible shape. The flake off in layers if I grow them long like that. Seriously I am so jealous!! Do you think that M_Grace would share her tips or is she just blessed with manicure talant and the best nails EVER?!
Would you have any other suggestion for an OPI nail polish that is close to the Swedish Nude color? I’ve seen that the color has been discotinued/retired.
I actually prefer American Manicure, the company, for the tips. They have the very best “sheer” white… and even an ivory tip. I do my nails the same as you for an AM, I use a sheer light pink to hide those white spots under the nail rather than a tinted clear.
Love the photos.
American Manicures are icky…rip off French Manicures with discoloured tips. Horrible.