How To Fake A French Manicure

You've got to admit, there's nothing prettier than a French manicure. And we're going to show you how to quickly and beautifully fake the perfect French manicure.

French manicures are designed to resemble a natural nail, and are recognized by natural pink base nails with white tips. The tips of the nail are painted white while the rest of the nail is polished in a pink or nude shade.

According to research, French manicures may have come about in 18th-century Paris and were popular in the 1920s and 1930s. And French manicures are timeless---they always look right in any fashion decade.

We love the French manicure because it sports a clean and natural look. It's simple and classic. And even though your nails might not be in perfect condition, we have a few tips on how to improve the health of your nails BEFORE you fake a French manicure.

Whiter Nails. Yellow nails develop when dark polishes are put on, over and over again. Smokers tend to have yellow nails. Certain nail polish removers can cause discoloration, too. For whiter nails, try rubbing a lemon wedge across your nails and underneath the nails. Or you can try this tip: Soak hands in warm water for about 3 to 5 minutes. Toss in a couple of Alka-Seltzer tablets. Soak until the fizzing stops.

Stronger Nails. Hate nails that dry out and split or break off easily? Trying soaking hands in warm olive oil for a few minutes a couple of times a week. This really helps the entire nail bed. In a few weeks, you will notice a difference in the health of your nails.

To Fake a French Manicure. You will need just 2 beauty items:

Malava Cuticle Oil. ($9.99, www.folica.com). Massage a little cuticle oil onto the nail beds. It softens up the skin, and will give you a prettier nail contour in time.

Sally Hansen 2 in 1 Nail White Pencil ($3, drugstores). Moisten the white pencil tip and run it or apply it under the rims of the nails.

There. You have just faked a French manicure. Works every time.