Difference Between French Manicure and American Manicure

July 2022 · 5 minute read

Main Difference

The main difference between a French manicure and American manicure is that in French manicure there is white tip with a pink base, and in the American manicure there is a white tip with a light beige base.

French Manicure vs. American Manicure

American manicure and French manicure are the two popular types of manicures. They are different from each other in the color of the tip of the nail. The French manicure has a pink base with a white tip. The American manicure has a white tip, but its base is light beige. The French manicure was created by Jeff Pink, the founder of the nail polish brand ‘Orly.’ However, there are no traces of the origins of the American manicure. French manicure uses stark white colors. American manicure comes in a soft version. It uses creamier colors. The classic French manicure has a pink-toned clear base and a dense white tip. American manicure uses varying colors. It may start with a cream-colored base, and the tips could be touched with a hint of pink or at times red. The French manicure favors a round shape. There is no standard for American manicure’s shape. It is creative in terms of the nail shape. However, squarer nails are usually preferred in American manicure. The French manicure coats only a quarter of the nails. People consider the French manicure to have a very sophisticated look. The American manicure has a more natural look that gives the nails an untouched look. The nails appear to be clean and more polished when using the American manicure. In the term of their colors used for the tip, mostly Alpine Snow or Orly White is used for the French manicure. For the tip color of American manicure, Swedish Nude and Kyoto Pearl are used.

Comparison Chart

French ManicureAmerican Manicure
A manicure with a white tip and a pink baseA manicure with a white tip and a light beige base
Colors
Stark white color and nude or pinkish base colorsCream or skin color tones
Look
Sophisticated, simpleNatural, untouched
Nails Shape
RoundedSquare
Base
PinkLight beige

What is the French Manicure?

The French manicure is a popular style of manicure. It got its idea from the natural look of the nail. French manicure was created by Jeff Pink, who is the founder of the nail polish brand ‘Orly.’ In 1976, this style was named French manicure. It is also said that the word French was added to make things seem more chic and stylish. This classic style of manicure consists of a solid white tip with a pinkish, clear, or nude base. French manicure uses stark white colors. The French manicure favors a round shape. The French manicure coats only a quarter of the nails. The look that this type of manicure gives is sophisticated and simple. So, it is preferred by people wearing in official meetings and offices. Mostly Alpine Snow or Orly White is used for the French manicure. French manicure is done either with artificial or natural nails. A unique way of doing French manicures is to whiten the underside of the nail with a white pencil. Then place a sheer or pinkish color on the entire nail. French manicures give you a gorgeous and clean look. The French style calls for a bold, vivid white tip, with a neutral pinkish style of tone on the rest of the nail.

What is the American Manicure?

The American manicure is the popular manicure style that is famous for its natural nail look. American manicure consists of a faint white or cream-colored tip. The base of the nail in this manicure is light beige, cream, or skin color tone. It uses varying colors, starting with a cream-colored base, and the tips could be touched with a hint of pink or at times red. American manicure has a defined, simple, and subtle tip. The origins of American manicure are not clear. However, it is considered as the softer version of the traditional French manicure. American manicure gives not more than the natural look to the nail. It is simple nail design mimicking your natural nails by the use of flesh or cream-colored base and a nude, white, or off white tip. American manicure chooses a more neutral look instead of the stark-white, classic tip. It is an improvement of the older French manicure. Although you can be creative with the shape of the nail in American manicure, usually it goes with the square shape nails. American manicure makes the nails appear to be shinier and perfectly polished. The look of the nail after getting American manicure is more beautiful than the natural nail surface. The tips of the nail look soft. The base of American manicure starts with a clear pink color following a neutral nude or off-white varnish. In the final step, the tip of the nail is painted an upside-down V shape. The addition of a small rhinestone at the center of the V can create extra beauty.

Key Differences

  • The French manicure comes with a white tip with a pink base whereas the American manicure has a white tip, but its base is light beige.
  • Slightly rounded nails are preferred in French manicures on the flip side squarer nails are usually preferred for American manicures.
  • The French manicure uses stark white colors, while the American manicure uses creamier colors.
  • The French manicure gives an artificial look conversely the American manicure has a more natural and untouched look.
  • The common colors for French manicures are Orly White or Alpine Snow, on the other hand, common colors for American Manicures are Swedish Nude and Kyoto Pearl.
  • Conclusion

    French manicure and American manicure are the two popular kinds of manicures. They have a significant difference between, but the people around the world like both of these styles.

    ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pbXFn5yrnZ6Ysm%2FDyKSgaJ6imruktIymmKehk6q%2FpnnVrGSapZWntqStzWakmqaZmMKzsY4%3D