- Blog
- Bios
- Boards
- Classifieds
- DIY
- Gallery
- Vendor Reviews
- Shop Weddingbee
Weddingbee Blog
Everyone has their vice… their go-to splurge that makes them feel absolutely wonderful. For some, it might be Starbucks, splurging on a new pair of shoes, or a stiff martini. For me… it is a pedicure. There is just something amazingly relaxing about sitting in a massage chair with your feet in warm water while having your feet transformed from something that resembles Hobbit feet to a beautiful set of piggies ready to be shown off in a cute pair of sandals. The only problem with pedicures? They cost money… and at the moment, I have very little of it. Saving up for a wedding has really made me take a look at what I spend my extra money on, and then cut back. Typically, I treat myself to a pedicure around once a month, which sets me back about $28. I haven’t had a pedicure since July 2009… which means that I have saved about $224 at this point - yay!
So… how have I managed to not drive myself nuts in the meantime? I taught myself how to DIY my beloved French pedicure (and manicure)! After countless times sitting in the chair, I observed my nail techs, and decided to give it a shot myself. OK, here we go…
To start… let’s gather our materials! You will need:
OK - here we go!!!
1) To start, clip your nails to a desired/even length. File them for a smooth finish, and use the buffer on the top of your nail surface to smooth out the bumps.
2) If desired, use the cuticle pusher to press back your cuticles, then CAREFULLY clip them with the nipper. If you aren’t sure of the technique, here are some short videos illustrating it for you:
3) Next, use the white nail polish and paint the tips of your nails. It does not have to be anywhere close to perfect; at this point just make sure you cover the area that you want to be white. Don’t believe me - see? I’m definitely not perfect…
Ewww, look at what my crazy baby toe can do!!!
I painted my fingernails too…
4) Pour a small amount of nail polish remover into a container (I just pour it into the bottle cap), and get out your eyeshadow brush that you have now sacrificed for the cause.
5) Submerge the brush in the remover to soak for a few seconds.
6) Are you ready? Here goes nothing… using the nail polish remover soaked brush, slowly brush from the center of your nail to the side (then repeat towards the other side).
Work slowly, and whittle down the white strip until you have your desired width. Don’t worry if you mess up; you can always repaint the nail tip and start over!
7) Repeat this technique on each toe (or finger)… until your toes look as awesome as this (haha…):
Here’s a shot of my fingers… if you were wondering how they were coming along…
8 ) Using the pink/natural nail polish, paint a top coat (or 2, if you like).
Voila - you are done, and have saved yourself a boat load of money by not going to the nail salon! You are now ready to show off your beautiful nails… maybe even in some engagement photos? Yep… I did!
As a disclaimer, DON’T be discouraged if your first try at a French mani/pedi doesn’t turn out well! It took me a few tries to master my technique. If you mess up one nail, just wipe it clean with remover, and try again. Practice makes perfect, my friends!
Have you tried a DIY manicure? Do you have any tips or tricks that you always use?
That is an AWESOME tutorial. I love french manicures and whenever I give them to myself I drive myself nuts trying to get the white line right. Why did I not think of this?!
This is such a great tutorial, thanks!! I love french mani’s too but I’ve only used the Sally Hansen stickers to do them, never thought of the brush w/ nail polish remover! Brilliant!
Such a good tutorial! I might have to try now! I know I tried doing this when I was a kid.. but I always left the white for last, and tried to be perfect.. now I see the error of my ways!!! Thanks Buttons!
Wow! That’s seriously impressive! I’ve always wanted to try this - and you make it look so easy!
I am actually the same way, i just can’t seem to pay the nail salon $7-10 just to paint white tips on my nails, so even after a mani or pedi i end up doing my own french as well, however another great thing to use is Qtips to clean up the edges and makes a really smooth line… but i’m def going to try the eyeshadow brush, great tip!
This is amazing!! Well done, my friend 
And the eyeshadow brush idea? Genius.
I do my own frenches as well I just use the nail polish brush to swipe on the white - as long as I rotate my nail, rather than the brush, I can usually keep it smooth. If I need to remove anything, I use a Qtip rather than a brush but it works the same way!
You do a beautiful job! Now if only I could bend down that far, LOL!
@Miss Trail Mix: I used to try the strips too…drove me nuts!
@Ella1978: I used to do the same thing, and then realized I was doing it backwards!
@afbacher: I am jealous of your skills! I can do my left hand just fine that way (since I am right handed), but then my right hand turns out AWFUL!!! Haha I can’t keep my left hand from shaking.
Love this tute!
At first I was like “oh dear, how am I going to break it to Miss Buttons that her nails look terrible?” But, me of little faith, soon had my fears resolved.
I love the eyeshadow brush idea! I always have trouble getting the tips nice, but I generally just eyeball it and hope for the best. Your method is much more reliable!
This is a clever trick. I usually free hand it using the side of the nail polish brush so the tops of my nails look nice, but I usually end up with all kinds of nail polish under my nails that I have to get out without wrecking my fresh white tips. Your way looks far cleaner and easier! Thanks for the tip! 
Wow they look great! Just like (or better than)a salon job. That is a great technique - I haven’t thought of doing it that way, I will have to try it out soon. (I usually just try to paint on the white without messing up) I too love getting pedicures but saving for the wedding has taken over my pampering budget. Thanks for the demonstration, very helpful
I like to use the little stickers Sally Hanson makes for DIY french manicures. They make a clean line when you pull them off. Easy peasy.
ooh, that’s a great method! i’ve only tried with the tape thing, but this looks much more straight forward! your nails look great!
Great tutorial. My mom is a manicurist, so I lucked out. My tip is to use a friend. You do her’s and she does your’s. It’s easier to paint away the white on someone else than on your own. You did a fantastic job on your own though!! Very impressed.
You make it look so easy! I will have to try it, but my hands are so shaky that I’m sure I’ll botch a few.
Well done! I always used to use a q-tip, but I’d end up going through half a box. :p This is much more efficient!
| Visit our sister sites | eHarmony Online Dating |
eHarmony Advice Dating Advice |
Project Wedding Wedding Songs |
JustMommies Pregnancy Calendar |
Mrs. Buttons, Clearwater, FL Age and Occupation: 24, "Working on it" Fiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Financial Services Engagement Date: June 13, 2009 Wedding Date: May 2010 Venue: Carlouel Yacht Club About Me: I'm a self proclaimed perfectionist and a professional nomad (seriously, I've lived in TX, WI, MI, FL, NC, and now VA!). I love wine, cooking, curling up with a good book (nerd alert!), spoiling the furbaby, and of course, the wonderful Mr. Buttons! We are planning a lighthearted and whimsical wedding (with a good deal of DIY projects) in Clearwater, Florida, but from a distance of 800 miles away! We are looking forward to sharing our day with our family and friends, and most importantly, starting our lives together as husband and wife!
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | 30 | 31 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
| 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 |
Latest Gallery Pics