The origins of the classic French manicure are difficult to trace. Some insist that the simple design, a clean pale pink nail with white tip, originated in France in the 1800’s, while others credit Max Factor for creating the look for Paris fashionistas in the 1930’s. American brand Orly definitely trademarked the term here in the States in 1978 with their popular at home kit. Yet, in recent years, the prevalence of statement-making hues like Chanel’s Vamp and Black Satin have attracted all of the attention while the sad French manicure languished in the corner. And though women in middle America may sport the French mani regularly, it’s a rare occurrence to see a chic woman in New York with the design. It got me thinking…is the French manicure perennial or passé? BN took the question to a few polish experts.
Joanna Czech, Founder, Sava Spa:
French Manicures are definitely passé. They used to be done to make believe that the nail plate was longer and used to create an illusion. To me, they are not elegant at all. The most elegant is the short, clean and natural nail plate. Use a shape that is natural to your finger - not overly square or too rounded. The only reason I would ever recommend a French manicure is a form of treatment for people with extremely short nails….a form of make-up so to speak to make them look longer.
Michelle Mismas, blogger/all around polish guru, All Lacquered Up:
A French manicure can look polished and classic if done well using an ivory or off white tip, dubbed the American Manicure. The problem is that most French manicures I see look fake and tacky because they have a stark white tip and are usually done on thick poorly executed acrylic nails. Besides there is such an incredible color range of polish on the market, why not have a little fun with your nails?
Carolyn Cianciotto, Founder, Carolyn New York:
They are so Cathy Lee “Over!” Why? Because the French really had nothing to do with that…
Second, one of the top editors of a major fashion mag here in NY told me so…Black nails are the new French manicure.
That said, there is a whole group of women that still LOVE the French and can’t let go, so if you must, make sure you don’t get French on the same day you wear a David Cassidy hair cut and highwaisted Jordache Jeans. A ton of people will agree that a French still looks pretty good…but one bit of advice - STOP wearing it on your feet!
Here’s some good news: wear what you like and what works for you. If you like it and wear it with confidence, who cares…
YSL's has a new french manicure kit.. I've tested the it.. it works like a charm.. however the color for the tip is chalk white.. and I get the same associations as mentioned in the above article..
This clever duo of portable pens are particularly easy to use: one with a lead to draw the white line and a pen-brush to highlight the nails with a pastel pink color. Nails are instantly well manicured, smooth and glossy.
However there seems to be a revival of more stark 'intense' nail colors as well as contrasting colors..
Could this be heralding the return of the 'french' manicure as fashionable finishing touch?
by Laird Borrelli for style.blogs.com/ June 06, 2007
Quote:
The neon trend continues to cast its glow on fashion. The claw-like, electric-hued nails that surfaced at Lagerfeld Gallery have been showing up off the runway recently. Mary-Kate Olsen accessorized the plain white column dress she wore to the CFDAs with a tie-dye clutch—and fluoro pink nails. At the Arnhem Biennale in the Netherlands, Cassette Playa's Carrie Mundane was anything but with her neon nails, and ThreeasFour's Ange had a French manicure with a twist: chartreuse tips. "They're kind of electrifying," Ange says. "I was a bit shy of looking at them for the first few days, and they scared my pitbull Luna a bit. But I must have been psychic, I didn't realize the Bienniale was going to be so neon-esque."
I find French Manicures to be silly looking. They're so obvious and yet they're supposed to have this "natural but better" appeal. I like nude nail polish if I'm not wanting to wear a color, but don't want to go bare either.
I don't care for the chalk white tips- French style.
It is much better with a more natural off white at the tips.
I do hate in on the toes so very very much!!!
ew to french manicures. either a subtle pink shade like Dior's Diorlisse, or a dark one (i prefer either Chanel's Black Satin or my secret weapon, Cosmique, a really dark navy shade, like Blue Satin) or a light shade (Chanel White Satin). 1-2 layers of a high quality topcoat to make it shiny, voila, great nails.
I prefer a short, clean looking nail. My favorite is Essie's Sugar Daddy polish. Although I don't think the photo you posted of the American manicure looks too terrible.
I'll just flat out say it. French tips look like trailer trash to me. French tips, American tips, who cares. Although I see both as just "clear or clearish nails with white (of some shade) tips and moon. (or whatever that half moon looking thing above your cuticles is.)"
I prefer short nails that have been buffed & shined for everyday, w/sheer or clear polish.
For nights out, short nails allow you to use any bold color.
I don't like french/american manicures at all...reminds me too much of high school when everyone (including me for a time ) had those super tacky acrylic nails...
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“Art produces ugly things which frequently become more beautiful with time. Fashion, on the other hand, produces beautiful things which always become ugly with time.”
I never heard of an "american" manicure. To me it looks the same as french but just the tips are subtler. I would have assumed the "american" one would be all the same color on the nail. I like to use a fun color sometimes but I prefer my nails short and a nude or light sheer shade of pink (no tips). Unfortunately as an art student, my nails are usually unsightly with charcoal and waterproof ink staining the edges.
I have never heard of the American either. I always assumed the way I did my manicures was "French", although they tend to look more like the American version now that I've seen the pictures. I put a clear base coat, do the white tips, then paint over it with one or two coats of Essie's Mademoiselle. It makes my nails look a little bit pinker, yet still natural looking enough. Does that make it French or American?
and I get the same associations as mentioned in the above article..
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