If you tap on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

Dee Mills for Byrdie

If we had to name the most classic (and versatile!)

nail art of all time, it would be aFrench manicure.

Close up of a woman’s hand with a French manicure.

Dee Mills for Byrdie

Keep reading for a step-by-step tutorial on how to do French tips on your nails like a pro.

Wash your hands andremove old nail polishwith an acetone-free polish remover.

double-check to soak your cuticles in oil before pushing them back.

How to Nail French Tips At-Home Like a Total Pro

Byrdie | Design by Zackary Angeline

Then, exfoliate your hands with a body scrub and apply hand cream.

Apply Base Color

Now, onto the actual painting of your nails.

Sritapan recommends starting with one thin layer of OPINatural Nail Base Coatfor maximum adhesion.

Close up of a woman’s hands; she uses one hand to file the thumb nail of the other.

Dee Mills / Byrdie

“This one alsoprevents nails from getting stained or yellow,” she adds.

(And regular old Scotch tape can even work in a pinch).

After your base coat isfully dry, press the tape firmly to where you want your tip to end.

Close up of a woman using one hand to buff the thumb nail of the other.

Dee Mills / Byrdie

“A sheer pink shade helps hide any nail imperfections oryellowing,” Sritapan explains.

Final Look

And voila, you’ve created a French manicure.

As with any manicure, be sure to play it carefully before putting your hands to work.

Close up of a woman using one hand to apply base coat to the nails on the other.

Dee Mills / Byrdie

And while some salons don’t charge extra for a French tip, others do.

Tape on the end of a fingernail.

Dee Mills / Byrdie

Woman paints the tip of her fingernail white.

Dee Mills / Byrdie

Woman uses a cotton swab to shape up French tips.

Dee Mills / Byrdie

Woman adds a sheer pink coat of polish to her fingernail.

Dee Mills / Byrdie

Woman applies top coat to her manicured hand.

Dee Mills / Byrdie

Final look at the completed French manicure.

Dee Mills / Byrdie