French manicure: our tips to a perfect one - Essie (2024)

FAQs

What color nail polish is best for French tips? ›

A sheer pink polish or a builder gel will achieve the most natural French manicured nails. Your skin tone should be the main focus when choosing a base shade; for example, rose-based shades are great for fair/light skin, whilst a deeper nude colour is better for dark skin.

Use a Stamping Tool

"Simply paint a couple of coats of nail polish in the color you want for your French tips on the nail stamper, then gently push the tip of your fingernail into the stamp at an angle," instructs manicurist Darlene Sritipan, OPI's North America education and capability manager.

Princess Kate reportedly loves Essie's Allure Nail Polish, and even wore the shade on her wedding day, according to Town & Country. The neutral hue is perfect for every day wear — and when you're a royal, you need a color that is as elegant as it is understated.

The pink you pick can make a big difference to the overall look of your French manicure. We recommend the Mademoiselle pale pink polish for a grown-up and elegant look that's loved by nail techs all around the world.

Put a milky twist on the classic French manicure by replacing the traditional white tip with a milky white shade. Use a slightly opaque or sheer milky white polish to create a soft and elegant French tip. This combination maintains the sophistication of the French manicure while incorporating the milky nail trend.

And essie's Gel Couture 2-step system makes longwear a breeze. Just polish two coats of the smooth, high-gloss color, and follow it with our platinum shine, gel-like topcoat. The color is formulated to gently adhere to your natural nail, so you don't need a base coat!