I had planned to publish a completely different post that’s part of my Friday Find series, but I managed to lose the photos that I took of the product. How the heck did I do that? Now I’ve gotta take new pix, but I’ve used the product. Oh well. And it’s dark out now so I can’t take the photos. I’ll wait till another Friday.
So this is my last minute idea.
If you want to do a quick French mani or paint your tips a different shade from the rest of your nail, and you don’t have any nail vinyls or strips on hand, here’s a hack you can try.
First paint your nails with clear polish or whatever shade you want on the main part of your nail. Let the polish dry completely.
Grab a rubber band (or an “elastic” as we call it here in New England), and tie a knot in the middle.
Then place one loop of the rubber band on one nail tip and the other loop on your thumb, and pull the rubber band tight. Place the rubber band so that the tip is exposed. Paint the tip whatever shade you like. Carefully remove the rubber band, and go on to the next finger.
If the rubber band gets too dirty with polish, just grab another one. I’ve got quite a rubber band collection on hand. 😀 Apply a top coat once you’re finished with your tips.
This was my first attempt, and they’re not perfect. But it came out OK. I’m going to practice more. Not a bad hack, I think.
Have you ever tried this?
Pretty good hack!
I thought so when I saw it online a few months ago. I just had to try it because I can never find my nail strips.
I’d never seen this trick before. Clever!
I saw it somewhere online a few months ago, and I just had to try it. I can never find my nail strips so this is great in a pinch 🙂
Now that’s a great hack that I’ve never seen before! I will have to try this because I am the WORST at doing my own nails, ha!
Christine recently posted…Too Faced Born This Way Foundation Review
I am, too, Christine. And I can never find my French mani nail strips so I thought it was worth a try. Definitely good in a pinch!
Wow, this is a super clever hack, Allison! I love the look too!
Lola’s Secret Beauty Blog recently posted…Tom Ford Beauty Fall 2015 Collection Now Online
It was a fun trick to try, Helen!
I have never seen this, but I think it’s a pretty great trick!
Kristina Vieweg recently posted…Zoya Focus Collection for Fall 2015 | Swatches & Review
It was a lot of fun to try!
OMG this is genius. I totally would have never thought to use a rubber band. But I am LOVING this idea for sure. Great beauty hack!
It’s a clever hack and it was fun to try. Gotta do it again soon!
Great tip! I need to try this!
Bethany Everett recently posted…Splurge or Save: Tall Tote
It’s a fun one, Bethany!
Now there’s a nifty trick! I like it! 🙂 I would never have thought of that — I’ve heard of band-aids and circle stickers, but not this. Very cool!!
I have been meaning to try the circle stickers or what we used to call reinforcements. This was fun to try. I need more practice!
Interesting! I’ve never heard of that before! I don’t have steady enough hands (or enough patience) to usually do a french mani, but this looks so easy! Thanks for sharing, Allison!
Sammi the Beauty Buff recently posted…Review: Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs Makeup Lotion
I have a tough time doing anything with my non-dominant hand, but it was fun to try. I’ll give it a go again 🙂
Nice hack – wow! 😛 I love these quick little tricks and it appear that it does a decent job too – who would have thought??
Plus it was kinda fun to do! give it a go 🙂
Never tried this but looks interesting.
Judy Freedman recently posted…My Travels To Portugal – Falling In Love With Lisbon
It was fun to do, though I could use some more practice 😉
I’ve never heard of that – what a great life hack!
Jen Mathews recently posted…You Must Visit The Dog Bakery!
Yes, I can never find my nail strips so why not try something new 🙂
Allison you are just full of little tricks …I am going to do this because I am the worst with nails hehe
Heather recently posted…Tarte Timeless Smoothing Primer
Me too, Heather, but I thought it would be fun to try and it was! I need more practice tho
That’s so smart! You could so easily clean up the edges with a qtip too and it’d be perfect. I need to try this!
Chelsea recently posted…MAKE UP FOR EVER Ultra HD Foundation | Review + Swatches
Yes you could, Chelsea. But I’m such a clod, I’d probably wreck my nails with the q-tip, lol. I’ll try it next time though 🙂
You should try the precision tip ones! It’s so much easier to do stuff with those. I make bigger messes than I started with when I use regular qtips with my shaky hands, haha.
Chelsea recently posted…MAKE UP FOR EVER Ultra HD Foundation | Review + Swatches
I have some. I’ll try those! thank you 🙂
Omg! I can’t believe I have never heard of this trick! Must try it!
It’s fun to try, Babi, for those times you don’t have any strips or vinyls 🙂
This is such a great idea! I’m always trying to figure out how to do my own French tips without completely messing it up. Thanks for the cool tip!
I bought some French mani strips from essence at Ulta not that long ago, and frankly they didn’t stay on my nails. I have to buy some vinyls but I haven’t been to Sally’s in ages. So I thought what the heck! And it was good enough. I need to practice some more. Let me know if you ever try it, Natalie 🙂
THAT is clever! I’m totally going to try that out! <3
Shipra recently posted…Back to School 2015 From SinfulColors – A Class Act (Partial Collection) Swatches and Review
It’s a fun little hack, Shipra, for when you can’t find your strips or vinyls 🙂
Never tried this but what a great idea!! As a former Bostonian, I completely get the elastic / rubber band lingo 😉
Monica.
MonicaP recently posted…Oribe Cult Classic Collection Review
I’m so glad you know about elastics, too, Monica!
I’ve never tried this before but I totally should because I ALWAYS mess up my french manis. Seriously – I’m a nail blogger and I can’t do a simple french manicure, how silly is that?! Anyway, this came out great, and I hope you can find your photos so you don’t have to redo everything!
Jessica recently posted…CrowsToes Edgy Red swatch + review
I don’t think this hack is as good as using strips or vinyls, but I can never find mine so this is good enough, lol. And no, I didn’t find the photos but I took some more this morning. It’s fine!
What a fun hack. I’d never thing of it. It would be great to do on an older manicure too when the tips start wearing away.
MarciaF recently posted…Gorgeous Globetrotter Boxycharm for August is incredible (and there’s a giveaway)
The perfect time to do it, Marcia. Great idea!
I never thought of this, I’ll definitely give it a try! Yours looks great for a first time go at it!
Julie recently posted…Face of the Day: Bridal Makeup Featuring Too Faced, Tarte & Gorgeous Cosmetics!
I could use some practice but not bad. And it was fun to do!
Nice idea!
Stephanie Louise (@StephLouiseATB) recently posted…Blue & Green Neon Summer Nail Art Dots with KBShimmer
This is a great post…I was looking for something new to do this weekend and now I found it. Thanks.
Oh, you are welcome, Leah! I hope you have fun with it. And if you come up with any tips to make it easier or better, please let me know 🙂
I have tried this, it’s better on my non-dominant hand that I have trouble making French tips on. It does take practice!
Nidia – Lit From Within recently posted…Cacao Nibs – Amazing Chocolatey SuperFood! #PNMCacaoNibs
That’s great, Nidia, that you already know about it (but then you’re a nail blogger!) and you find it useful! I need more practice but it’s worth it I think.
whaaaat! Thats the coolest hack ever!
It’s a fun one!
Hey, you gotta find hacks wherever you can right? hahaha
Destany recently posted…What’s in my July 2015 ipsy bag?
Absolutely!
What a neat idea! Once you get the hang of it it’ll be so simple!
Brooke @ Blushing Noir recently posted…The Lipstick League // Week of August 17, 2015
Right! There is a bit of a learning curve, but not too hard. If only my non-dominant hand was steadier, but that’s true even in a regular mani 😉
What a great tip!
Jamie recently posted…First Look Fridays Interview Series: Beauty Blogger Honey Kaho’ohanohano of Honeygirl’s World
It’s fun to try, Jamie!
I have not seen this trick before. Using when creating a mani I will just paint messily and then go back and clean up the line with some nail polish remover… I’ve been doing it for years that way so I haven’t really taken the time to look at any other ways. This seems cool.
Honeygirlk recently posted…ISA Professional Gold 24K XANADU Vitamin C Serum and Makeup Foundation Primer
Hmmm, maybe I’ll try your technique, Honey. It sounds easier!
I haven’t tried this technique! I usually use those reinforcement labels for the office!
Lisa Heath recently posted…Get Ready For a Makeup Shake Up With a Bold New Line of Makeup Brushes at Walmart & A Giveaway!
I need to get some reinforcements to try a moon technique. I’ll never be as good as you, Lisa. You should be a hand model xoxo
I heard this tip, but never tried it. I love that shade too!
Bailey recently posted…Beauty Blog Coalition Weekly Roundup Vol. 50
It was fun to do, Bailey!
That’s clever!! I can never manage to make a neat french tip without some kind of a stencil.
Me either. When I couldn’t find my strips, I tried this. Good in a pinch 😉
what a cool trick!
gio recently posted…Live Love Read 23.08.15
It’s good in a pinch, Gio! I can never find my nail strips
Definitely would have never thought to use a rubber band!
Laura MyNewestAddiction recently posted…90s Lips Revival
It works in a pinch 🙂
That’s a cool trick and I love the shade you have it on 🙂 Very clever! xo
sharon recently posted…Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award
Thanks, Sharon! It was certainly worth a try, and I’m sure I’ll try it again when I can’t find my strips 🙂