French Tips

• Wearing French tips on your fingernails is quite common, but how about on your toes? Using untraditional color combinations, you can brighten up your toenails while still looking elegant. This is a great look for a special night out. You might decide to do a turquoise base with a white tip, a tuxedo nail with a white nail and a black tip, or go for a nude nail with a gold tip that looks great with your tan. You can ask your pedicurist to try it next time you're having your toes done, or try it yourself at home using some painter's tape. Just paint your nail the base color and let it dry, then tape off an area just below the tip of your toenail. Fill in the area with your tip color and remove the tape when it dries.
  
  

Designs

• While painting your toenails, you have the use of your dominant hand the whole time, which typically makes the task easier than painting your fingernails. You can create great designs that reflect your personality. Migi Nail Art has developed a line of nail polish that is available in pens, giving you better control. The sky is the limit; you could try designs such as argyle or polka dots. Pink and white stripes are a preppy look, while tiny skulls and crossbones can give you a rocker appeal. Check out your local drug store for nail pens, or see the resources below.
  
  

Embellishments

• Embellishments are the easiest way to amp up your toenail design. In the nail aisle of your local drugstore, you'll find embellishments such as gems, stickers and glitter. They all are easy to apply yet look professionally done. Start by painting two layers of your favorite nail polish. Use a wet toothpick to pick up gems and place them on your nail precisely. Place stickers on dry nails to create an original design. Alternatively, dip nails that are still wet into glitter. Finish off the embellishments with clear top coat, and keep a spare gem or sticker handy in case one comes off.