Palace Nails | The Ideal Nail Salon in San Antonio, TX 78251

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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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.

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

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PALACE NAILS | Nail salon 78251 | Nail salon in San Antonio TX
Address: 9179 Grissom Road #141, San Antonio, TX 78251
Phone: 210-467-9647
Email: bquocle76@yahoo.com