You are probably aware that early 2000s trends [1] are making a strong comeback. Relax, we are not talking about pink track suits or frosted tips; we mean the classy french manicure [2] with a colorful 2019 twist. While we originally assumed the trend would remain in our photo albums, just like most others from the early 2000s, [3] french tips came back as a 2019 staple, thanks to celebrities like Kylie Jenner and Bella Hadid [4] trying out the look.
This nail art trend used to be my go-to when I was just started using nail polish, so I wanted to see if I liked it just as much seven years later and booked a manicure at Paintbox [5] in New York City. But instead of getting the classic white tips, I decided to try the 2019 spin on it and did a neon pink color. [6] Check out the full process and my takeaways ahead.
Step 1: Prep For Your Manicure
My nail artist started filing my nails to give them a squoval shape, clipping my nails straight across and filing the corners to a rounder shape. After getting the right shape, she soaked my cuticles in oil and pushed them back. Then she grabbed a cotton ball dipped in nail polish remover and removed any remaining oil or debris from my nail.
Step 2: Ace Your Base
For gel nail polish, it's important to use a much thinner layer of base-coat than you would with standard nail polish, so instead of applying the coat to all of my nail, my technician applied it to the tips before spreading it across the whole nail.
Then, we chose a base color. I have short nails, and she noted a darker color combination might make my nails look even shorter, so we picked a lighter base. She applied two layers, putting my hand in a UV LED Nail Lamp box after each coat.
After applying the base color, my nail artist reminded me that nail art color tends to bleed if there is no rough base to hold it in place so she rubbed a sanding file block back and forth across my nails before to prevent her brush strokes from spreading.
Step 3: Apply the Colored Tips
I wanted to give my french manicure a fun twist (if celebrities can do it, so can I!) so instead of getting the classic white tips, I wanted to try hot pink ones. We decided that a straight line with curvy edges would look more flattering on my nails and went with it.
I was very impressed by my nail artist and her steady hands. I guess she could tell from my face, because she told me her secret: Apparently, she holds her breath during every brush stroke.
Step 4: Finish With a Top Coat
The top coat is one of the most important parts of a gel manicure, because it smooths over any ridges and brings the polish to the same level. After the top layer is applied, you can't see any lines between the polishes.
Step 5: Enjoy and Show Off Your Nails
My verdict is clear: french nails are back and I'm glad they are. This look is fun and classy at the same time, and is a great conversation starter — all of my friends and co-workers have been asking me where I got my nails done. If you're on the fence about trying out the throwback trend, I encourage you to get the french manicure with a 2019 spin and try fun colors. For my next one, I'll be trying out neon green tips.
French Manicure Final Results
