Black French Tip Nails Sleek Bold Stunning

Why are They Trending in the Spring?

The shiny black lacquer is the most essential part of the licorice French, so you’ll want to make sure the shine looks as smooth and glossy as possible. Here are all the steps you need to take.

Create a base that looks like liquid: Kandalec says you should make the base layer smooth, no matter what you choose. At the salon, “this means asking for a structured manicure, a layer of structured gel beneath the gel polish to smooth any dips or imperfections,” she says. “You should see a perfectly straight or slightly curved line of light (it depends on what overhead light you are under) when you hold your nail up to see the reflection.” 

Feel free to use this case as a guide. “If that line breaks, that means the gel is not even and the gel polish color will mimic that unevenness as well (either dip or have a bump),” she says. Just make sure your nail plate is as smooth as possible before applying standard polish. You should buff for an extra minute.

Paint the tips: Paint the free ends of your nails with your favorite black polish (see below for suggestions!). This will give your nails French tips. It’s essential to go slowly and steadily. Once the color is dry, you can smooth out any rough lines with a brush soaked in remover.

Pick out your jacket carefully: “The top coat should be a no-wipe or no-cleanse topcoat for the liquid look,” Kandalec says. “They are non-porous topcoats, so they are extremely shiny and resilient to future scratching from wear, too.” This is especially important for gel polish, but it’s also essential for regular polish. For a liquid look, pick one that is extra shiny.