Okay, I’m just going to come out and say it. We’re all friends here right? There is definitely an elephant in the room.

I am so thrilled that you took the time and effort to get a pedicure. Nothing thrills me less than girls that wear sandals with nary a polish or even a buff on their toes.  So, I appreciate a polished toe.

But I have to ask that you please stop doing a French Pedicure (sometimes referred to as a white pedicure).  Pretty pretty, please, with a cherry on top.  Let’s discuss:

French pedicure
Two left feet?

No toenail is supposed to show the whites of your nail. That means your toenails need to be clipped, NOT ENHANCED by a white pedicure. I can hear your toenails clicking on the floor whenever I see a French Manicured toe.

French pedicure with crooked nails
Pedicured talons with toe nunchucks

Let’s face it, ladies, toes are ugly. Paint them a monochromatic color and move on. Fix it and forget it.

Here are some basic rules of thumb (or, er, big toe):

1. Please do not get acrylic nails on your toes.

2. Please do not trick up your toenails; you are not in high school.

3. Please do not grow your toenails this long ever. Wouldn’t you wake yourself up all night scratching the sheets with your toenails? I shudder at the thought.

nasty long toenails
I’m nauseous.  A. that her nails are that long and B. that she is driving barefoot.

4. Please leave the toe jewelry at home. Fingers show off rings because they are elongated and are such a pretty backdrop for jewelry. Toes look like stumps. Toe rings look like stump tourniquets. No elongation is happening. Get my picture.

A pedicure with bling on the toe
Looks like this little piggy got engaged.

Ladies, there are lots of other options out there. This post can be the e-Harmony of nail matches, acting as your guide for the perfect fit.

Allow me to introduce the “one-color” approach. Think neat, shorter, clean, monochromatic nails, thereby making the toes seem longer and “simpler”. Try a light color on your toes; use the color that you would have used on your French Pedicure.

samoan sand
Lovely light pedicure.

For those of you weaning off the French pedicure, this is an excellent first step. It’s a French without the white exaggeration. Heck, go crazy and do three coats. I recommend Essie Ballet Slipper, OPI’s Bubble Bath or OPI’s Samoan Sand (shown above.)

As you gain more confidence, go for some color.

French pedicures, unlike their people, are not chic. They are, for lack of a better term, passé. Their time has passed. Time to clean up our toes and move on.

There, I’ve said it. Are we still friends?

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About the Author
Heidi Potter