French Tip Nails in Florence, KY

The versions on our menu

• French tips — $10. The standard line across the tip, in white or any color.
• Deep French — $15. The line set much further down the nail, so the tip covers a third or more of the nail. The most-requested modern version.
• Almond French — $15. The line cut to follow an almond or tapered shape, which takes a different curve to look right.
• Colored and micro French. Any color, and a fine line version. Priced as a French tip.

Painted French against sculpted pink and white

A painted French sits on the surface of a finished nail. It costs $10 and it is the right choice if you change your look often, want a color other than white, or are wearing gel over natural nails. Its limitation is growth: after two weeks the line has traveled down the finger and a band of bare nail shows at the cuticle.

Sculpted pink & white at $70 builds the white into the free edge instead, so it grows out evenly. If you wear a French permanently, that is the version that pays for itself.

Getting the line right

Three details separate a French that looks expensive from one that looks like a home kit:

• The curve follows your smile line, not a stencil. Every nail bed has a different curve and a straight line across a curved nail reads wrong immediately.
• The tip is capped. Painting the underside edge is what stops the white wearing off first.
• Both hands match. The non-dominant hand is where a rushed French shows.

On toes, and for weddings

A French tip on toes is $10 as a pedicure add-on and is one of the steadiest summer requests we get. Over gel, it holds four to six weeks, which covers a whole vacation and then some.

For weddings, a classic white French on a short-to-medium nail remains the most photographed choice, and the one least likely to date in the album. Book two to three weeks ahead so there is room for a touch-up.

Which base to put it on

French tips go over shellac gel, over dip powder and over an acrylic set. On dip specifically there is a classic French option priced within the dip menu, which is worth asking about if that is what you are booking.

If you are undecided, the practical question is how long you want it to last: gel two to three weeks, dip and acrylic three to four.