Galleria Nails and Spa | Ideal Nail salon in Pittsburgh, PA 15228

What are French nails?

A French tip manicure polishes nails in two colors, one for the bed of the nail and another for the tip. Traditionally, French tip manicures create a polished and professional look that replicates the natural nail in pink and white, but modern variations may use other colors.

What is the difference between French and American Nails?

The basic difference between a French Manicure and an American one is to do with the colour and in some salons the shape of the finished nails might be also slightly different. A classic French Manicure uses a pinky tone clear base all over the nail and then a dense white tip is painted across the ends.
How long does a French manicure last?
If you get a regular French manicure it should last 7–10 days depending on how much use you have on your nails. A gel French manicure should last 14 days or longer.

Are French nails gel or acrylic?

Pink & White Acrylic Nails, also known as French tips, are a look consisting of white tips on a pink nail base. They are typically achieved by adding a plastic tip or sculpting one to the nail and covering it in acrylicpowder and/or gel.

Do French tips look good on short nails?

The french manicure gradient works well on shorter nails as there isn't a sharp white edge that shows where the nail bed ends and the nail tip begins. It gives the illusion that the nail tips are longer as the white tip gradient fades

What Are French Tips?

Now that we know where the name comes from, what are French tips actually, and how do you achieve this classic look?

French tips refer to the white polish on the tips of the nails, above the base of the nail which is traditionally painted in a pinkish nude tone. The look is meant to provide a more bold replication of nails’ natural colors, though today you’ll see French manicures in a wide range of shades that certainly look anything but natural.

To achieve a picture perfect French manicure, most manicurists rely on French tip guides in order to achieve as clean of a line as possible between the base of the nail and the tip. After applying a base coat, the guides are applied and then white is painted on the tips and a pale shade on the base, followed by a top coat. And just like that, a stunning and simple French manicure is complete.


Galleria Nails and Spa - Nail salon 15228 | Nails and Spa Pittsburgh PA

History of the French Manicure

It may be called the French manicure, but this trend actually has its roots in 1970s Hollywood. Jeff Pink, founder of the ubiquitous nail polish company Orly, is credited with coining the name in 1978, though it was cosmetics kingpin Max Factor who is believed to have invented the look itself all the way back in the 1930s.

The “French” connection here is due to Factor’s claim that he first created the manicure for fashion forward women in Paris. It was Pink however who created he first French manicure kit and took the look mainstream. Pink also said that it was his practice of painting the trend on Parisian women’s nails that led to the term.

Disagreements over the name’s true origin aside, it wasn’t long before the French manicure took over in Hollywood — and eventually across the U.S., and then the world. Interestingly, France itself borrowed the name when they adopted the look, calling it la French manucure.

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Galleria Nails and Spa | Nail salon in Pittsburgh PA
Address:1500 Washington Rd,
Pittsburgh, PA 15228
Email:gallerianailsandspa@gmail.com
Phone:412-892-8609

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