NAIL ART TAMPA

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

Now, onto the actual painting of your nails. For a French manicure, you'll need two shades of color: one for the nail, and one for the tip. You can have all sorts of fun with French manicures, but here we'll keep it classic. Sritapan recommends starting with one thin layer of OPI Natural Nail Base Coat ($11), to get maximum adhesion. "This one also prevents nails from getting stained or yellow," she adds. According to her, professional manicures last longer than home manicures because nail techs never skip the base coat.

Darlene Sritapan is a licensed nail tech and OPI’s North American education and capability manager.

Natalia Bychkova is a nail educator and founder of the Nail Art House, an Austin-based nail studio and education center that specializes in modern Russian manicure techniques.

Tape on the end of a fingernail.

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If you don't have a steady hand and/or still need to brush up on your DIY manicure skills, nail tape ($9) can help. (And regular old Scotch tape can work in a pinch). After your base coat is fully dry, press the tape firmly to where you want your tip to end. A straight or curved white strip is up to you and your nail shape, but if you want your nails to appear longer, let the polish curve with your natural nail.

Woman paints the tip of her fingernail white.

Paint the exposed tip of the nail with your choice of solid white nail polish. To get a nice line with just one layer, opt for a polar white color like OPI Alpine Snow ($11) or Akzent Luxio Polar ($17).

When free-handing, it's best to keep the brush still and roll just your finger to get a nice even curved line. You'll also have a steadier hand if you hold the brush between the thumb and middle finger while resting your forefinger on the top of the cap.

Woman uses a cotton swab to shape up French tips.

If you're going for the crescent shape instead of a straight line, use a cotton swab or fine nail art brush to add touches of white nail polish to the corners of the nail.

Top Your Manicure Off With a Sheer Neutral Shade

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

This is the manicurist-approved way to make your French nails look a lot more natural. "A sheer pink shade helps hide any nail imperfections or yellowing," Sritapan explains.

After cleaning up any stray polish with a Q-tip soaked in nail polish remover, you'll need to keep this art lasting as long as possible. To seal and set your at-home French manicure, finally finish with a thin layer of a shiny top coat. "My favorite top coat is Akzentz Luxio Shine On ($20) because it's not sticky and keeps your nails for so long," says Bychkova.

Final look at the completed French manicure.

And voilà, you've created a French manicure. As with any manicure, be sure to play it carefully before putting your hands to work: Depending on the formula of your polish and your top coat, it can take several hours for your nails to completely dry.

It will depend on which nail salon you go to, but in New York City a standard manicure typically ranges from $20-$25 for regular polish and $45-$50 for gel. And while some salons don't charge extra for a French tip, others do. Also, keep in mind that most salons charge a fee for nail polish removal, which can range from $10-$15 depending on the type of polish.

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As with any manicure, you'll get the most out of a French manicure if you use a strong base coat and a top coat, for starters. Also, avoid anything that may cause chipping (biting nails, hot water, chemicals, etc.), and don't forget to seal your manicure, or rather, paint around the nail tip to protect against damage.

What are some variations on the traditional French manicure?

If you're looking for a variation on the classic French mani, try V French tips or reverse French tips. The easiest way to create a V French tip is to hold the nail perpendicular to you, then paint on long white lines in a "V" shape, with the bottom of the V hitting at the tip of the nail. For a reverse French tip, use a dark color over the entire base of the nail, and add a small line in a lighter shade at the nail bed (instead of on fingernail tip, as in a classic French manicure).

You surely know square and almond, but what about lipstick or edge? Here, industry pros will help you decide which shape to try for your next manicure.

Seconds after you sit down in the nail salon, you've historically been forced to make a binary decision: square or round? But it's not that simple anymore. These days, nail shapes are more varied than ever, thanks to influencers and celebrities alike sporting a variety of far-from-traditional silhouettes. It's not just about picking the perfect nail color or showing off a funky design anymore — nail shapes are the new it-factor when it comes to nailing a manicure (no pun intended).

Trying out different nail shapes definitely keeps things fun, and it's a great way to express ourselves, Lilly Rojas, founder of Brooklyn's Lili and Cata nail salon, explains. "Just like experimenting with colors you normally wouldn't wear feels brave, finding your perfect nail shape can provide a sense of self confidence and empowerment."

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With that being said, you also want to find the shape that works best for you. According to Anastasia Totty, a LeChat nail educator and owner of Artistique Salon in Jacksonville, Florida, there are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a nail shape: your personal style, your personal preference, and your occupation. "It has to enhance your look, make you feel beautiful, and fit your idea of what looks good. Trends come and go, but finding your unique style is extremely important," she says.

If you want a quick tip to discovering your most natural-looking nail shape, manicurist Deborah Lippmann says it's all about following the cuticles. "The best way to find the best shape for you is do a proper cuticle pushing, and then mirror the shape of the tip of your nails to the shape of your cuticles," she explains. "That gives you the most natural elongated nail and is how you find your best personal nail shape."

We're at the point now where the world has more nail shape varieties than we have fingers, so it can be tough to keep track of all the options, let alone choose one. That's why we've broken down 11 of the most popular options so you can make an informed, thoughtful decision next time you sit down at the salon.

Plus, it could be fun to play around with some different options. "I would suggest trying out a new nail shape every few months because you never know, it might become your new favorite shape," Rojas says.

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The square nail shape is pretty self-explanatory. Square nails are square — they're flat on top with straight, sharp corners. They neither flare out nor taper in and are a popular shape for those with short nails or long, narrow nail beds.

Square nails are typically seen as stylish and clean but also low-maintenance, founder of nail-care brand Ciaté London, Charlotte Knight, explains. "This shape looks amazing with a bold, block color."

A clear manicure with green pink and white stripes.