Hands are an integral part of our body, but taking care of the hands can sometimes be tiring and confusing.
The internet is flooded with millions of DIYs and hand creams already. With so many different brands and types available, it can confuse which one will be the best for us. Going to the salon can also be expensive and time-consuming.
A perfect manicure is a necessity for every nail-obsessed on this earth. For those who have ever had a manicure in their lives and those who wish to have one soon, this post is just for you. We will spill the beans about American manicure.
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What is an American manicure?
For those who are new to a manicure, this might just seem like a French manicure but better. Technically, it is. An American Manicure is just an upgraded version of a classic French manicure.
The classic white tip is sealed for a more neutral and natural color. This creates a more blended and even-toned look. Even the nail shape changes from a square tip to a more rounded tip for a more polished appearance.
American Manicured nails appear to be more translucent, shiny, and more polished. Perfectly manicured nails can make all the difference. If you don’t believe me, try it for yourself. Just getting your nails done can make you look way more sophisticated and put together. Like the French Manicure, the base starts with a slightly pink tint, gradually building up to a more neutral or white color. Finally, the tip is painted in the shape of an inverted V to maintain the nails’ natural look.
The basic differences between a French Manicure and an American Manicure
We have talked a lot about what American Manicure is. Now let us spot some striking differences between a French and American Manicure. There is nothing much to differentiate on the first go, but there are quite a few different features if you look closely. They may be minor and negligible but are still quite noticeable. So, let’s have a look at what these are.
Color
First, in terms of color, the French manicure is all about the classic bold white tip, while American Manicure is all about the flesh-toned and more muted colors. In a French manicure, the base color is always pink. In American manicure, the base can be pink, or nude shades gradually build up the intensity. Sometimes even red is used in this manicure.
Shape
Second, talking about the nails’ shape, the French manicure has a square tip. At the same time, in American Manicure, it is a more rounded shape. However, there is no mandatory shape in American Manicure; there is always room for experiments.
Speaking more to the public and leaving out all the technical definitions, American manicure is all about enhancing your natural features, which you already have, just in a better way.
Now you have known all about American manicures and what to look for and spot the differences. So next time, when you hit the salon, you will know what to ask for and what to look for while getting a classic American Manicure.
How to Do It Yourself
Going to a salon every time is not an option for most of us. Either we lack the time, or it just does not fit our budget. No worries, ladies, we have got your back.
We will now share some tips and tricks about getting a perfect American Manicure at home without digging a hole in your pockets. These are for the days when you feel extra self-love, and you are just in the mood of pampering yourself.
The best thing about this manicure is that you don’t have to be picture-perfect since this look is all about being natural. Some mistakes are acceptable because nobody is perfect, right?
Prepping your nails
This is a no-brainer. Prepping your nails for a manicure is always the first step of any manicure. Start by removing your previous nail paint. If you do not have any, then directly begin with the next step, trimming your nails.
Give the shape that you want but make sure to make it look natural and not fake. The tip for getting that salon-like manicure is to groom the cuticles. Use a cuticle remover and an orangewood stick to push the cuticles back to position. Using the flat end of the stick, gently massage your fingertips to remove any dead skin cells.
Dip your nails in a container with warm water and some shampoo or hand wash.
Let your hands soak in it for about 10-15 minutes, and then gently massage your hands with a loofah to scrub away all the dead skin.
After all of this, wipe your hands dry and get all ready for the nail painting step.
What you need
- A clear base coat
- Nail paint of your choice, preferably nude, beige or light pink
- A tip color, preferably ivory, off-white, or pale nude
- A clear base coat
- Manicure strips
Steps to follow
- Start by applying a clear base coat and let it dry.
- After this, use the beige, nude or pink color as the base color for your manicure. Make sure to apply just one coat of this to make it look more natural. Let it dry.
- After this, use the ivory or off-white color as the tip color using the manicure strips as a guide.
- Let it dry as well.
- To make the tip appear more prominent, you can apply a second coat and let it dry.
- Once everything dries, finish it off with a clear topcoat, and you are all set to rock your all-new American manicure.
- You can use rhinestones or nail art or embellishments to make the appearance more pretty and beautiful. You can also modernize the classic look using a combination of glitter nail paint and neutral colors.
Do’s and Dont’s of American Manicure
There are some rules to follow if you want that appropriate American Manicure look. Here are some Dos and Dont’s for this manicure look.
Do’s
- It’s best to stick to nude nail paint and say yes to short nails. A little creativity is allowed, but nothing over the top is required. The more subtle look, the more charming it will be.
- A little shimmer and metallic effects are allowed. These can add a little touch of modernity to the classic American Manicure.
- Say yes to red. If you feel neutrals to be a little bland and boring, then red is always an option. A little pop of color cannot harm. All shades of red will prove to be too cool for the summer.
Dont’s
- No tacky long nails are required. Keep the nails simple and short. Abstinence from long nails can maintain the true essence of American Manicure.
- Stay away from over-the-top nail arts. Subtle arts and embellishments are acceptable but going overboard with them are not required.
It’s time you reconsider the old French manicure and might try something new. American Manicure is an excellent way to start if you are new to manicures and want to DIY at home.
