This is a growing manicure trend where only the nail tips are colored. It probably started as girls looked for a variation of the French Manicure; after they got bored with white tips they replaced them with red.

The great bonus with this nail style is you don't have to redo your nails as often. Natural nail growth is not going to show the separation line between the edge of your nail and the polish, like most manicures do. It will last longer than the others--weeks later it can still look like you just got your nails done.

The trick to get more mileage out of this cute manicure is to get enough coverage. If you just paint the "smile" (inner part) from the end of your nail bed to the end of the nail tip, then as soon as your nail grows, the end of your nail bed will be visible.

So you just have to start a little further in, like this girl did. Decide how much according to how fast your nails grow, and how wide you like the colored tips to look.

Some girls like a wide band and others prefer a thinner look. Half the nail generally looks too much; about a third is a reasonable guide if your nails are this long. Go for a length that makes a good proportional fit.

Colored tips painted perfectly look cute, pretty, and elegant... great for prom!