French Manicure? Just say “Non!”
07. Feb, 2010 by Gretchen 
5 Comments
With my trip to Paris a month away, I’m loving everything French except the French manicure – it’s so 2002, n’est-ce pas?
French No!
Think mob mistress Carmela Soprano. As fashion guru Charla Krupp put it so succinctly in her bestseller, How Not to Look Old, “Nothing ages you like fake nails.” I couldn’t agree more, especially if they are long and all French-i-fied. Charla’s nail advice to those over forty: Keep them short, clean, neat and painted in a neutral color. Try Ballet Slippers by Essie – no formaldehyde, DBT or Tolulene. And if you live in the DC area, you simply must visit Sunny at Always Sunny Nail + Spa in Old Town, Alexandria. Perfect manicures that last at least a week, and the pedicures are to die for.
Non!
Oui!
Ballet Slippers by Essie
I’ve always shied away from the faux nails – they get so thick and talon-like. A little scary. And the super white, super squared off nails are just not flattering to the hands!
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! I hate those things and could never understand who thought they were attractive.
for what it’s worth, being a nail challenged over 40 ‘girl’, I recently did have fakes done for a formal I attended and they looked just like picture #2 ..natural, not thick, neutral, short. I even had one woman say “I wish I could have nice natural nails like you”.
Ditto Kristen + Michelle! It seems so Housewives of FILL-in-the-BLANK County! Thanks Gretchen for keeping it real — love the polish name, Ballet Slippers.
I love the Ballet Slippers color! It is my daily polish.
Don’t forget to say non to the French pedicures too!