Here's a French Manicure for Every Mood
The latest incarnations are a far cry from the thick, angular acrylics of decades past.
While everyone else is busy asking for Hailey Bieber’s glazed donut nails, may we recommend a classic?
French manicures might seem like a ’90s or 2000s faux pas come back to haunt us, but the trend has actually grown up since its suburban nail salon days. There are many creative ways to still do the standard nude-and-white color combo, but you can also make it your own by changing up the colors, textures, or adding nail art. Social media is a never-ending inspo board (there are more than 1.7 million posts under the hashtag French manicures on Instagram), but we gathered our favorites for you to bring to your manicurist ASAP.
Logo Mania
Chanel, Dior, Gucci—pick your favorite and have your manicurist go bold and branded on top of your French manicure.
Fine China-Inspired French Manicure
Inspired by your grandmother's China cabinet? Take it to your manicurist for a gorgeous white-and-blue creation.
Classic French Manicure, Upgraded
One white swoop? That's a classic French. Add the second and you have super-unique nail art.
Inverse Neon French Manicure
Some nails are French manicures, some are half moons. Regardless, the color combination is so fun.
Chrome Tips and Hearts
Tiny hearts and chrome polish combine for a very cute manicure.
Bottega Green French Tip
Anything can be inspiration for a French manicure, including your woven Bottega Veneta bag.
Side Swoop French Manicure
This French manicure escapes beyond your tips for an artistic take on the classic.
Triple Curve French Manicure
Take your smile line (aka the curve at the end of the French mani) and times it by three for modern version.
Marble French Manicure
Shades of blue, green, purple, and black transform into a modern and cool take on the marble mani trend.
Black-and-White Negative Space French Manicure
Hand-painted negative space transforms the trend into something very artful and minimalist.
Zodiac Stars French Manicure
The astrology-obsessed will love this dreamy starscape on the nails, which includes planets and zodiac signs.
Half Flower French Manicure
Replace the white tips with half a flower—same idea as French mani, but much more springy.
Triangular French Manicure
Metallic triangles across the tips of each nail are an arty and sparkly take on the trend.
Tiffany's Blue and Bow French Manicure
Breakfast at Tiffany's fans will love this ladylike take on the French.
'70s Swirl French Manicure
An abstract and groovy take on the French manicure trend.
Lizzo's Stiletto Nails French Manicure
Lizzo looked like a sexy fembot for the Brits Awards, and she had th the matching pointed French manicure to boot.
Cloud French Maincure
Dreamers will love this nail art, where the blue serves as the French manicure. If you're more into sunsets than blue skies, switch out the aqua for a shade of pink or orange.
Black-and-White Double Line French Manicure
Monochromatic tips with a bonus stripe make the negative space on this mani very cool.
Gold Chrome French Manicure
If Hailey Bieber's glazed donut nails and the French had a baby, it'd be this manicure.
Rainbow French Manicure
Trade your white tips for different shades of neon for a bold take on the French mani that'll be perfect for festival season.
Tatjana Freund is Hearst's Fashion & Luxury Commerce Editor, covering beauty, fashion and more across multiple brands. Previously, she worked at ELLE.com and Marie Claire. She's a fan of whiskey neat, podcasts that give her nightmares, and one time Zoë Kravitz laughed at a joke she made.
As ELLE’s beauty editor, Margaux wants to try it all and do it all…and she does. She's not afraid to chop, slather, dye, swipe, inject, and more—and if it's worth your time and money, she’ll rave about it here.
Watch Next
Beauty Looks We Love From the 2023 Met Gala
The 17 Best Neck Creams Reviewers Obsess Over
13 Derm-Approved Natural Sunscreens to Wear
The 11 Best Moisturizers for Natural Hair
