French Pedicure Cost and Save a Few Bucks DIY

One of the most relaxing and enjoyable things about being a woman is getting a pedicure. Better yet, a French pedicure. Hey, hey, men gets them too I hear you say … but they definitely will not opt for a French pedicure.

I have gotten a few done at a salon before for about $20-$25 which usually include a soak with bubbles, trimmed and filed nails, pushing cuticles back, dead-skin or callus treatment, lotion application, and usually a nice little mini-massage along with the application of the polish.

Now, all of those extras that come with a pedicure of course will cost you. Just like all the other finer things in life. Prices for a French pedicure at a salon or nail specialist cost between $20 and $30. Usually it is a $5 extra on top of your usual pedicure treatment. But, if you would like to save a few dollar bills by doing it yourself, at home, follow these tips! Although I don’t know why you would bother doing-it-yourself with prices are so cheap these days.

Get Those Nail Polishes

For a French pedicure, you need two colors. You need white and a light pink or peach tone for the base. You could even try using a light pink with a bit of a metallic in it for some extra spunk.
You can get these nail polishes at most drug stores, cheap beauty stores or $2 stores for about three bucks. Do not pick a base that is really thick because you are applying 2 1 layers of nail polish and if you have 2 layers of thick nail polish, it is hard for it to dry.

Lotion and Soaking

Of course soaking your feet in warm water to soften them isn't necessary if you are giving yourself a French pedicure at home, but it can be very enjoyable.

Also, to relieve your toes and feet of dry skin, exfoliate your feet then apply a nice soft lotion (Jergens will do) or other Pedicure Treatments. Massage the lotion onto your feet, between your toes, on your cuticles and even on your lower legs for the full relaxation effect. Once you have applied the lotion to the cuticles, you can gently push them back with your nail or one of those a cuticles pusher if you have one handy.

Trimming and Filing Your Nails

To apply a French pedicure, wait until your nails have grown out a bit. You can trim them by either squaring them off or rounding them off. For a French pedicure I suggest you have more of a square look to your nails so it is easier to have an even line for the white polish. But obviously if your taste differs, then go for it. Oval, square oval and rounded are popular too!

After trimming your nails you can go the extra step and smooth them out by filing them. But remember, don't make them too short or it will be hard to apply the white!

Applying The French Pedicure Polish

This the main bit about this whole process. We have finally come to the last few steps to the perfect French pedicure-applying the polish itself.

Base Coat - First going to apply one even layer of the base coat (the pink or peach colored one) to all ten toes. Wait for it to dry-usually about a minute or two, depending on what kind of polish you use.
White Tip – Applying the white tips to your French pedicure is the most frustrating step. Apply a thin even amount in a straight, smooth line on the tip of your nail. Don't make it too big of a line, or too small of a line. You will be able to tell if it is even or looks like the right sized line but I try to make mine about the width of between 1 of my big toe and for the smaller toes between 1 and 1%>.
Final Base Coat-This is the last step to the perfect French pedicure. Make sure your nails are completely dry first. Next, apply another thin layer of the pinkish base coat over all ten nails again. This makes the pedicure look more even and neater. After this, you are all done.

Easiest do-it-yourself French manicure and pedicure in the world

Do you like the look of "french manicure" but do not have time? Do you get polish under the guide strips? This is the easiest way I've found. 

Pour a little nail polish remover in cap for later. Clean nails with remover and cotton ball. Paint a wide reasonably wide white stripe across the tips of nails. Do not even try to make it even or with a smile-line with this first attempt. Let dry. 

Next dip q-tip in cap of polish remover. Clean up messy white edge in nail bed following the shape of nail and work on getting that perfect smile-line. Clean up any paint on skin leaving a fresh clean line. 

Finally, paint with a clear pink or matte clear polish and let dry. Voila, you've got a cool French Manicure or Pedicure to show!

Things You’ll Need:

• white polish
• pink clear/or matte polish
• polish remover
• q-tips
• cotton balls

The basic Steps again:

1. clean nails with remover
2. paint messy horizontal white stripe across nails
3. with q-tip dipped in remover clean up edge of white stripe in nail bed and any on skin
4. paint nails with pink clear gloss or matte (dull) natural polish.
   

Buff Your Nails for a proper French Manicure

French manicures are a popular way to keep your nails polished for work and play. It looks classic, neutrally clean and stylish. It can be worn for an evening on the town or the next day's business meeting. Buffing correctly gets rid of ridges, and rough, uneven edges.

Steps

• Buy a buffer with your nail needs in mind. The more ridges your nail grows with, the grittier the buffer you'll need. You will still need a finer buffer to smooth down the nail to get it ready for your French manicure.
• Wash, clean and dry your nails. The nails need to be clean on top and underneath. You don't want any grime under a beautiful French manicure.
• Buff the nail with the fine, slightly gritty part of the filing sponge. This will remove or lessen the ridges of your nail, leaving a smooth surface when you paint them.
• Start stroking the nail with the grittier side of the buffer block sideways over the nail to get rid of the ridges. Be sure to get the entire nail, from the cuticle to the end. Use gentle, soft strokes all over the nail to get a uniform finish.
• Use the grittier side of the buffer block to file away rough edges you may have. This rough side is also the side you need to shape the nail. Finger and toe nails that are already shaped need only the soft side of the file or buffing block.
• Rub the soft part of the buffer block around edge of the nail to achieve a nice sheen and a smooth surface. You can apply beeswax or buffing cream at this stage for added sheen.