French Manicure with Essie Mademoiselle and Essie Marshmallow

My first "lookit ma polish" post

First off:
Photographing nails is hard. Wow!

My French style comes from The Polish Addict's Essie French Manicure and Nail Fanatic's replica, as well as tips I picked up from Sarah the manicurist and various places on the internet.

• Base coat:  Opi Nail Envy in matte.
• Whites:  Essie Marshmallow (2 coats)
• Nail Bed:  Essie Mademoiselle (as little as I can)
• Top coat:  Sally Hansen Nailgrowth Miracle - Salon Strength 
• (slow to dry, but I already owned it & it does seem to last)

DIY French #4:  Finally good enough to photograph
(Gotta moisturize those cuticles before my next glamor shot!)

This combo was instantly serviceable, perfect on attempt #4.


#1:

• After Orly, I'd learned to move my hand, not the brush, for whites.
• Tip wear--learned after this to wrap them.
• Mademoiselle really dulled the white--boooooo.

#2:

• Essie Marshmallow is forgiving when you're sloppy w/ the whites.  As is my husband's eye--he loved it anyway.
• Wrapped tips; lasted 5 days (w/ touch-up mani lasted 8).
• Mademoiselle trick:  Paint just the nail bed, then spread it at the last minute over the whole nail.
• I used too much Mademoiselle & obscured my nail beds' natural pink.

  

  Au naturel:  Pink nail bed, ivory tips

#3:

• Dishes & Sally Hansen Nailgrowth Miracle don't mix.  Destroyed!
• Started coveting a collection of simple colors for Sunday nights w/ 1 hour left & lots of chores.

#4:

• Mastered the Marshmallow (granted, it's on my non-dominant hand)
• Mastered the Mademoiselle
• Only my right hand is painted (left will get done after chores, before studying, 3 hours before bedtime tonight)

Next up:  Adventures in non-french colors.  Color.  I only have one bottle so far.  Hopefully that'll change.