Why does a French manicure turn yellow: mistakes made by masters and clients that ruin the French manicure
You're fond of French manicures and do them almost all the time, but over time you notice that the snow-white tips start to yellow. This unpleasant phenomenon is especially bothersome considering that the charm of a classic French manicure lies precisely in the cleanliness and freshness of its white tips, which give the nails a well-groomed and elegant look.
So why does the French manicure lose its original freshness and become dull? The reasons can vary. Sometimes it's due to mistakes made by the technician, while in other cases, it’s due to daily habits that you don’t even consider harmful. And sometimes, yellowing has nothing to do with external factors and may be a sign of internal issues in the body.
Let’s explore which factors can turn a gleaming milky base into a dull yellowish coating—and how to prevent it.
Mistakes of a Manicure Master
Yellowing of gel polish French manicures often occurs due to mistakes during the drying process. One of the most common factors is placing fingers too close to the ultraviolet radiation source, meaning directly near the bulbs inside the UV lamp. As a result, the white French tips may acquire an undesirable yellowish tint.
To avoid this, it is recommended to dry each finger separately or, at the very least, not place the thumbs in the lamp simultaneously with the other fingers. If the technician didn't pay attention to this or didn't warn you in advance, there's a high probability that you're dealing with an unqualified specialist.
French manicures can yellow if the top coat is not compatible with the base or colored coating. To avoid such surprises, it is recommended to use products from the same brand, as this ensures compatibility between all layers and a predictable result.
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Equally important is for the technician to carefully control every step of the application. The gel polish should not become cloudy, bubble, or prematurely cure in the lamp. Only with careful attention and adherence to all technological details can a perfectly clean, neat, and long-lasting manicure be achieved.
Client mistakes
Yellowing on a French manicure can occur for various reasons, including improper care. This often happens if the client frequently visits a tanning bed, uses self-tanner, or applies coffee-based scrubs. Nails can also yellow after prolonged sun exposure, for example, during a beach vacation.
The French manicure can also start to yellow due to smoking, as the resins and nicotine in cigarettes not only stain the nails but also the skin around them. Yellowing on a French manicure can also result from exposure to chemically active substances, dyes, cleaning agents, and harsh components when used without gloves.
The yellowing of French nails can be associated with hormonal changes, such as during pregnancy or in the first months after childbirth. In some cases, a change in nail color may indicate more serious health issues, although this is much rarer.
Read also: Should the color of the manicure and pedicure be the same: what nail experts say
Published: 16.04.2025 08:43
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