French Manicure - how long does free edge need to be??

[carol21]

I am really struggling with providing a nice looking french manicure on natural nails (I do not currently offer gel, acrylics etc).

How long should the free edge ideally be and what is the best method of providing a nice straight line - mine is wobbly and I always manage to get the white over the clients fingers - and mine!!?

If a clients nails only had a very short free edge would you recommend they had one colour paint until it was longer? I have tried various polishes and always have the same problem.

Would getting a nail trainer to practise on help - can you paint directly onto the nails they provide or do you need to add extensions?

Sorry all the questions!

 

[bubbles132]

Hi carol

You,re talking about polish. Does that mean that you are not working with gel or l&p?

The questions you are asking are the first things you learn when you are learning to be a nailtech.

bubbles

 

[carol21]

Hi carol

You,re talking about polish. Does that mean that you are not working with gel or l&p?

The questions you are asking are the first things you learn when you are learning to be a nailtech.

bubbles

Hi - thanks for your response.

No I'm not currently working with gel or L&P (although this is something I would like to do very soon).

I am just trying to master doing a french polish following a normal manicure. NIGHTMARE!!

 

[NoticeableNails]

If my client has little free edge and requests a French polish I often use my white striper. I am then able to control the white and make a nice thin white tip.
When you are painting the white on a French polish always make sure your hand is balanced and steady on a surface. Don't try and hover as this will make you hand shake.
There is no shame in tidying up the white after application!

Do a search on French manicure and there is LOADS of hints and tips on how to apply.

 

[annemac]

Have you done any nail courses as it doesn't say anything in your profile. Thats what bubbles132 is saying I think. I did a manicure/pedicure course before moving on to acrylics and gels.

 

[carol21]

Have you done any nail courses as it doesn't say anything in your profile. Thats what bubbles132 is saying I think. I did a manicure/pedicure course before moving on to acrylics and gels.

Sorry - yes I am currently doing a VTCT in manicure/pedicure but prior to taking my assessment need to perfect my french polish. Once this is done I would then like to do a nail tech course.

Out of interest which would you recommend I start with acrylics or gels?

 

[Bagpuss]

it all comes with practice....getting a nail nail trainer would be useful. Or even just a box of tips...and sit painting the whites over and over and over....

you can use a product called Nail Fresh by creative too neaten up the whites...you use a spare brush and sweep under the whites to give a sharper finish.

As for how much free edge....to be honest a french can be done with very little free edge, once the white is on it gives the illusion of a longer nail.

I find it easier to swipe the brush (white) in one go from left to right...the more you fiddle the worse it will be.

Just keep practising.

 

[annemac]

Sorry - yes I am currently doing a VTCT in manicure/pedicure but prior to taking my assessment need to perfect my french polish. Once this is done I would then like to do a nail tech course.

Out of interest which would you recommend I start with acrylics or gels?

I am doing both at the same time, but thinking on it I would probably have done the acrylics first, trouble finding the models for assements.
I would fill your profile in as it helps the Geeks answer your question better, as they will know if you are just starting out or have been in the business for a while. Hope this helps.

 

[BeckyH]

Hi,

May sound daft but if you have a look on youtube they have a few tutorials on there, some are really good. Also if you search tipdip on there youll see a tutorial/advertisement for a new tool meant to help with french manicures, although I dont own one it does look very good.
If you do happen to purchase one do let me know if its any good. x

 

[rouge]

Our very own Nailzoo has some fab videos of French polish, here's the link Nail Zoo Video Page
You have to scroll down to find them, they're about halfway down.