In case you are waiting for the next profound topic here at Musings of a Housewife, well, this isn’t going to be it.
Let’s discuss the French Pedicure.
First of all, I admit it. I’m a fan. For several reasons.
1) It’s so simple and clean looking.
2) It never clashes with your outfit.
3) It does away with the five to thirty minutes of hemming and hawing over which nail color to choose when you arrive at the salon.
4) It never looks different on your nails than it does in the bottle, thus eliminating the disappointment of choosing the wrong color.
But, occasionally, as I admire my toes, it occurs to me how ridiculous it is that we pay all outdoors for a pedicure that intentionally makes it appear as though our toenails are overgrown.
I mean, who leaves a quarter-inch of white nail tip showing when they trim their toenails? That’s gross. When it gets to that point, that’s when I bring out the heavy-duty toenail clippers.
So why, oh why do we paint on a white line to appear as if the toenail is longer than it really is?
And yet. I still like it.
And evidently I’m not alone, judging from the number of French pedicures I see walking around these days.
So what do you say, Internets? Yay or Nay for the French pedicure?
25 Responses
YAY!
i heart the french pedicure. its my favorite look, for the same reasons as you. it drives me bonkers when things clash – including my toes. the only reason to get something else is that i am feeling cheap, i mean, frugal!
I like the look of a french mani, but french pedis sort of gross me out for precisely the reason you mentioned. I’m more of a red on the toes kind of girl, myself, but for those who don’t buy into the tradition of red polish going with everything, I vote for the pinkish base color of the french pedi, just without the white line. Or a blush color that’s a shade or two darker.
I’m a french pedi kinda gal…. it’s my favorite… 🙂 last time i opted for color because it was my first of the season… next time, it will be the french pedi… 🙂
Now, see, back when I was allowed pedicures, I did not go for the French (and by the way, is it actually French? DO the French do this pedi, or is it more along the lines of the French toast, roast and fries, which probably aren’t really French either?) for precisely the reason you said. However, since I wear pink every ding-dang day, the clash thing isn’t an issue. Glad you brought up this crucial, hard-hitting topic, dcr. : )
I guess I’m a color type gal. (i’m using the term ‘gal’ loosely, cause when you’re 5#%*# and a grandmother you really don’t qualify as a ‘gal’ any more) Anywho, I like color as it draws attention to my feet and ankles which at this stage of the game is the only thing still thin on me. Nuff said.
Honestly, I do the uhmmm…I think it’s the American. It’s basically the same as a french, only a little toned down. I think to tone down the impression of super long toenails! 😉
Oh, BIG YAY from my corner of the pedi world. BIG YAY once a week, if I have my way. LOVE it.
I feel as if Typepad hates me. Every time I try to comment on your blog it won’t let me. I’m out here, I read, and I try to comment.
Yay on the nails. LOVE LOVE LOVE a french pedi on my nails.
Nay on the toes. I hate long toenails. Mine have to be perfectly trimmed and painted.
*dcrmom posted this from an email – Anyone have a clue why my bloggy buddy can’t comment on my blog lately???*
I LOVE the french pedi! Of course I’m too cheap to actually pay for one, so usually I just stick to colored toe nails.
I’m a yay with an addendum; I have plumeria blossoms painted on my bug toes! With little sparkly rhinestones! Klassy!
Love the french pedicure, but I do not have time to get them done regularly and the french looks awful when it is chipped up. At least with some color, I can “repair” it myself and it looks decent.
But when I can go to the salon, I love – love – love a French pedicure. But, I do get them to tone down the white just a tad so it’s not sooooo stark white and not quite the American manicure either. crazy i know!
YAY!
YAY all the way for the french pedi! I never thought of it looking like over grown nails (though I probably will now 😉 I just thought they looked cute and classic. I could really care less if anyone else sees or loves them, every time I look down I smile, and that is a great thing!
I think I need to check into this “American” pedicure. That’s a new one to me.
I agree it’s very classic. I don’t get my nails done often, but when I do, I really like the French manicure/pedicure look. It never goes out of style! And you don’t have people staring at your nails like, “What was she thinking with that color!?”
Jane, Pinks & Blues Girls
I agree it’s very classic. I don’t get my nails done often, but when I do, I really like the French manicure/pedicure look. It never goes out of style! And you don’t have people staring at your nails like, “What was she thinking with that color!?”
Jane, Pinks & Blues Girls
I agree it’s very classic. I don’t get my nails done often, but when I do, I really like the French manicure/pedicure look. It never goes out of style! And you don’t have people staring at your nails like, “What was she thinking with that color!?”
Jane, Pinks & Blues Girls
I agree it’s very classic. I don’t get my nails done often, but when I do, I really like the French manicure/pedicure look. It never goes out of style! And you don’t have people staring at your nails like, “What was she thinking with that color!?”
Jane, Pinks & Blues Girls
I agree it’s very classic. I don’t get my nails done often, but when I do, I really like the French manicure/pedicure look. It never goes out of style! And you don’t have people staring at your nails like, “What was she thinking with that color!?”
Jane, Pinks & Blues Girls
I agree it’s very classic. I don’t get my nails done often, but when I do, I really like the French manicure/pedicure look. It never goes out of style! And you don’t have people staring at your nails like, “What was she thinking with that color!?”
Jane, Pinks & Blues Girls
I always go for color. I admire the french pedicure look on others, though. I just use my toes as the one place for experimentation/color. And I always do it myself. No time for a visit to the nail salon, unfortunately.
I absolutely love a French pedi. To me, it says fresh, summer, goes w/everything and now I realize it says I need to trim my toenails! Thanks dcrmom, I’ve seen the light!
I’m a color girl with my pedi’s, but I love French manicures!
Mel
I say NAY on the toes. I love french manicures, too but bright bright bright for the toes!!
NAY! I’m a french mani gal, but don’t do french pedis for the same reason you state. I love color on my toes!
FYI: An alternative to the french mani is to use OPI Bubblebath on the fingernails. It gives you the look of a french mani without as much of a hassle. Try it!
I love the look of the french pedicure. I am a guy that has been getting professional pedicures in a nail salon for the past 5 years and I usually go with French or garnet red. The foot massage is wonderful and since I wear sandals year round, I love to look down and see my French toes. It is such a clean and classy look. I get many compliments from women on my french pedicures. My wife and I go to the same salon every other week. Sometimes when I want a change, I will get OPI I’m not Really a Waitress on my Toes. It is a really fun iridescent red. One thing to remember is to ensure that the salon follows proper cleanliness and sterilization processes. My cousin is a podiatrist and she tells me to avoid the pedicure spa chairs and go with the normal pedicure foot bath and ensure that they put disposable plastic over the foot spe and dispose of it after every customer.