A simple method for how to do a French manicure at home using band-aids.

HELLO!  Taking a break from home projects for a little self pampering. Are you ready to try an easy and inexpensive way to do your own French manicure at home??  I learned how to do this technique from our 11 year old daughter, yup, the kids teach me stuff sometimes too.  I’m pretty sure she saw a photo on Instagram and then figured it out on her own.  She is a kid with good focus and great attention to detail so I must admit, hers came out better than mine did!  She is now on to shades of blue but I will grab a pic of her cute little Frenchy nails next time she does it.  Best part is that little smarty pants has great tips.  In this post I will share with you Materials you will need, basic Step by Step Instructions on how to use this clever BAND-AID technique, and our little gal, Ava’s super tried and true Tips for Successful BAND-AID and polish application.
Here is a list of all the MATERIALS you will need:
– white nail polish (we used essie 10 blanc)
– clear polish (try O*P*I Start to Finish, base coat, top coat and strengthener all in one, plus it is quick dry!)
– nail polish remover (ours is Target brand) – BAND-AIDs…of course!
– sharp scissors
– cotton balls or swabs
– Q-tips

STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS just for you:

1. Paint a clear coat of polish well ahead of time, day before or a couple hours before/ or skip base coat of clear polish all together if you are short on time…it will stick to the BAND-AIDs and get all messed up 😉

2. Grab 5 medium sized BAND-AIDs.  Take the paper off the BAND-AIDs and cut them all directly in half

3. Peel the back paper off a BAND-AID half and position it towards the top of your nail with a little moon shaped space left at the top – like a frown shape.  Do this with all 10 of your nails.  For me this was the trickiest part, getting all the band-aids in the right spot.

4. Now you are ready to paint on the white nail polish to the tips of your nails that are still exposed and not covered by the BAND-AIDs.  It’s fine if you get a little white polish on the BAND-AIDs since you will be peeling them off at the end.  Let the first coat dry about 5 to 10 minutes.  Apply a 2nd coat of white nail polish to the top of your nails.  Let dry for another 5 to 10 minutes.  If you have someone around to help, have them do your prominant hand – for me that’s my right hand it and it’s always tricky to do myself.
5.  When you think the white tips are completely dry, carefully peel of the BAND-AIDs
6.  Use nail polish remover and Q-tips to clean up skin around your nail.
7.  Apply a clear top coat to all your nails.  Let dry. That’s It!

AVA’S TRIED AND TRUE TIPS:
– Stick the band-aid halfs on your skin a couple times to lessen the stickiness.  This will help when it is time to carefully remove the band-aids at the end.
– Work on a paper towel or placemat in case of spills
– Wait and wait in between layers of polish, watch a show or two
– Don’t apply more than two coats of the white polish on the tips, it will get chunky and messy
– Have plenty of Q-tips and cotton balls nearby for clean up at the end
– Pour nail polish remover in the cap of the remover bottle to easily dip Q-tips in to clean up your fingers at the end Let us know if you try this technique and how it goes for you!  Were you inspired to try it??  Leave your feedback in the comments, love to hear from you!