When I was little, there were three things that I knew would be the mark of true adulthood: long weave, lots of lip gloss and a French manicure. Yes, I was a teen of the noughties. There was something about a French manicure that just screamed sophistication for me, and even though, as an adult, I have a tonne of other nail art and nail trends to follow, the French manicure still has such a grip on the nail designs that I save on Pinterest and Instagram.
The reason that this manicure never gets old is that it is so easy to reinvent with little design additions and the entire colour spectrum to play with. For autumn and winter, how about a burgundy French tip or a dark French manicure? You can adapt it to any season with different hues, sparkles and glitter. Or you can go super simple, classic and pared-back.
The list really goes on when it comes to French manicure ideas. Here are just some of the designs I have screenshotted as potentials for my next salon trip.
1. Cherry Nice
Nail art hits differently on a French manicure. It’s like a fresh canvas. If you aren't looking for something so standout, this design would look cute on an accent pinky finger as some micro nail art.
If you're doing nail art at home, be sure to seal in your hard work with a long-wearing nail top coat like Essie's Gel Couture Top Coat. It's the next best thing to gel polish.
2. Latte Dipped
A brown tip takes our love of neutrals to another level. Match the undertone of the shade to your skin's undertone (cool, neutral or warm) for the most flattering finish. Plus, short French tip nails always look chic.
How rich-looking is this shade from H&M?
3. Multi-Coloured
Can't decide on just one colour? Why not go for a colourful French manicure?
4. Glitter Tips
A glitter French tip is the perfect Christmas French manicure.
How stunning is this glitter nail polish?
5. Polka Dot French
Polka dot nails are everywhere right now, so a polka dot French manicure is bang on trend.
Everything you need for at-home polka dot nails and endless French mani designs.
6. Check, Please
Pick your three favourite shades within the same colour family for this design. Green is a universally friendly choice for even the most tonal wardrobe.
The chicest green I ever did see.
7. Solid Gold
This gold-tipped design is a shining example of levelling up a French manicure. The stars are an added bonus. If you're thinking of trying it at home, grab some nail sticker sheets for the nail art if you aren't super dexterous.
Nail stickers make it easy to achieve detailed nail art without a salon appointment.
8. Strike Through
Probably the French manicure that we can re-create at home the most easily. Let your natural tips shine through your nude polish of choice. If you’re stuck on the colour, OPI Bubble Bath is always a classic.
9. Green Hearts
Why just stick to a ring finger when it comes to accenting a nail on each hand? Pick whatever finger you want and use a complementary colour to go with the rest of your mani.
This green nail colour is so chic.
10. Classic French
Sometimes, you just can't beat a classic French mani. It looks good on any nail shape and nail length, and will never fail to make your nails look polished.
This nail art pen makes it so easy to paint a French tip.
11. Chips Ahoy
This design is such a fun take on the French manicure. The more length you have in your natural nail, the more intricate you can be with the designs on the tip. Even more reason to get your nail care in check.
A nail art brush is a must for this design, so choose one with a fine tip.
12. Blue Me Away
A blue French tip is both fun and chic. Gold bold with deep navy, or choose lighter pastel blue tones to suit the season.
The prettiest powder blue hue.
13. Give Me Space
This manicure has all the makings of a traditional French yet is anything but. If you wear acrylics, this a great design because you aren’t reliant on the natural line of your tips to do the design.
14. Traditional Twist
Back in the noughties, there was definitely one distinct nail shape associated with the French manicure, but now everything goes. This stiletto shape is one of my favourites to team with the classic.
This nail stamp makes it so easy to get a perfect French tip.
15. Pinky Swear
This colour palette is so much fun. If you find it difficult to suss out the best matching nail colours, always go for variants of the same colour instead.
Red nail polish doesn't get much chicer than Chanel.
16. Chrome French
This polish is the next best thing to a chrome mani in the salon.
A chrome French manicure is always, always a stylish choice.
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