A new kind of nail with a checkered history has emerged this summer. The new-gen French manicure, now with options like multicolored and animal print tips, is seemingly everywhere.
For her 26th birthday, Gigi Hadid wore a rainbow of French tips by the celebrity nail artist Mei Kawajiri. Kylie Jenner has often worn some version of a French mani with super-long nails and next-level designs, including Pucci-inspired stripes. Lizzo has been showing off a French pedicure. Carey Mulligan, Hailey Bieber, Kourtney Kardashian and Selena Gomez have all worn the style in the last few months.
“We have seen more requests in our salon for French tip-style manicures and even some pedicures too, ” said Nadine Abramcyk, the founder of the Tenoverten nail salon. “It’s always been a classic look with the super-white tip, but people are now making it their own. A classic red tip with a neutral, almost sheer, base is a style we’ve seen often this year, paired with a more almond-shaped nail.
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So popular is the French tip in 2021 that the New York Chillhouse salon created its own modification of the style, which can be painted on by a manicurist or purchased as Chill Tips, the salon’s version of a press-on set.
The Going to the Barre set has proved particularly popular, said Cyndi Ramirez-Fulton, the Chillhouse founder. “It’s a sheer soft pink — think ballerina vibes — with a slightly slanted, wavy tip, ” she said. “It’s so simple and elevated, yet has an edge.”
Mabelyn Martin, the creative director of the New York nail studio Paintbox, has been experimenting with glitters and foils in place of color for its French manicure designs. “Creating tiny designs within the tips is also becoming very trendy, ” she said. “Another look book favorite involves contrasting textures by matting out the base color and painting on a thin shiny tip.”
French Tip Nails Manicure To Try In 2023
Fans of the French mani love it for its singular aesthetic and often for the fact that such a simple nail can elicit such a strong response. Olivia C. Tonin, 32, a French manicure obsessive in Montreal who owns a nail installation that she posts on Instagram, had experimented with them a handful of times as a teenager but began wearing increasingly complex designs only in recent years.
“The reaction people had toward me wearing French tips made me appreciate it on another level, ” she said. “This was only amplified by the overwhelmingly positive response I got from other women — and the negative ones I received from most men.”
One might have predicted that after forgoing manicures amid the pandemic, we’d come back around to the French manicure — a style that has fallen out of fashion in the past, too redolent, perhaps, of strip malls of yesteryear. Chaun Legend, the artist behind Ms. Jenner’s nails, suggested that the style may be transitional, a steppingstone to more complicated and bolder designs that some have been longing for in the age of no painted nails.
French Tip Nail Designs To Try
For Ms. Jenner’s recent Pucci nails, Mr. Legend alternated patterned French tips with full-coverage designs. “I think I’ve pretty much done it all, from ombré shades to textured prints to swirls, all in a French look, ” Mr. Legend said. “Sometimes full-coverage bold colors or designs can be overwhelming on every nail, but making it into a French can lessen the intensity.”
The nail artist Lisa Kon is playing with texture and color, too. “One of my favorite types of modified French manicure is the animal print, ” she said. “It always looks very impressive.” She did just that for Ms. Kardashian (a leopard print) and Kendall Jenner (zebra).
French nails are back “with extra essence, ” said Ms. Kawajiri, who does the Hadid sisters’ nails. “In 2021, we added cherries, smiley faces and other art on the French tip.”
Bedazzled French Manicure Ideas
Fashion’s obsession with the early 2000s may be another reason the French manicure is making a comeback. Fashion is cyclical, after all, and we’re living in an age of Prada mini-bags, silk scarves worn as tops and baby tees sold at a premium on Depop. Nostalgia-inducing shows like “Friends” and “Sex in the City” are having reboots. And videos with the Y2K hashtag have more than two billion views on TikTok.
“Even the most traditional women can continue to get their French manicures and it may not look on-trend, but then a supermodel like Bella Hadid rocks it all summer, and all of a sudden it’s a Gen Z revolution, ” Ms. Ramirez-Fulton said.
Some of the appeal of the French mani is that it’s intrinsically flattering. “Leaving the clear part on the nail is more sexy than when you get nail art on fully covered nails, ” Ms. Kawajiri said. “French nails make your fingers longer and more beautiful. It’s like magic.”
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Mr. Legend added a thought: “The shaping of the nails definitely played a role in modernizing the French manicure, ” he said. “We now have coffins, stilettos, squares. The artist inside me prefers deeper exaggerated smile lines for the French. The deeper the smile line, the better.” That means more coverage and less bareness for a more extreme, contrasted look.Eden Stuart is an editor at . She covers all beauty and wellness topics, with a special emphasis on makeup, skincare, and haircare.
The French manicure is a classic for a reason: You can find it on the menu at pretty much every salon (though you can easily DIY it), it can be adapted to flatter any nail shape or length, and well, it's kind of the red lipstick of nail designs—find the right one for you and it'll go with every outfit.
But sometimes, even the classics can use a remix, whether it's through color, design, or finish. One of our favorite ways to put a spin on the classic French manicure is by adding a soupçon of sparkle. Holographic tips, nail gems, or (of course) glitter are all easy ways to take your classic French manicure to new heights.
Modern Takes On The French Tip Nail Design
Ahead, check out 13 of our favorite sparkly French manicures (along with some tips and tricks on how to get the looks).
"Sparkly" immediately conjures images of the holiday season, and so does the color red. Needless to say, this glittering ruby set—featuring ombré glitter—is just begging to be photographed around a simmering cup of hot cocoa.
Flattering and easy to wear, short, square nails are as timeless and elegant as French manicures. For a trendy spin on such a classic nail, dip your tips in glittery gold polish. Not exactly a nail artist? Try using a silicone nail stamper.
How The French Manicure Made Its Comeback
Velvet manicures are the perfect balance between sumptuous and playful (you've got to admit, waving that magnetic wand over your fingernails is a tiny bit thrilling). Velvet French tips are the perfect way to dip your toe—or should we say fingers?—into the trend. For a similar look, try painting your half-moons with Dab of Newt ($16) and Reclaim the Flame ($16) by Mooncat.
The mix of gems, decals, and bubblegum pink might sound like a lot, but as this manicure proves, it ultimately makes for a chic approach to a sparkly French for the manicure minimalist. Opting for solid-colored tips and strategic nail accessories—instead of sparkly polish—streamlines the look.
This set is giving "I'll meet you back at the chalet, " and we're here for it. While lolo.nailedit used polish to create the tiny, glittery dots that function as snowflakes here, Olive & June x e.l.f's Diamond Sparkle Nail Art Gems ($10) are a great shortcut for those who want to emulate this mani.
New Years Winter Design Of The French Manicure Stock Photo
Did we mention how much we're loving velvet manicures? Because we are really loving velvet manicures. This lush red variation utilizes French tips—often considered understated—for the
Foiled fingernail tips are truly a look for all seasons. This combo of gold foil tips and pale neutral pink polish would be equally appropriate in the summer and during the holidays.
New Year's Eve is just begging for a starry silver mani. With the combination of fine-line detailing and precise ombré glitter placement, you might want to entrust this one with a pro instead of going the DIY route.
French Nail Designs You Need To Try This Year
Looking for something a little bit edgier than glittery polish? Try a studded French manicure instead. Take it a step further by opting for dark tips over the traditional white. Try Essie's Licorice ($10).
Another minimalist take on "sparkly, " this set adds a subtle, shimmering line down the center of a standard French mani. To replicate, you'll need a nail art brush like Orly's Short Detailer Brush ($14).
We love how this set takes the concept of the accent nail and extends it to every single nail. This look is totally achievable on your own, too: Just give yourself a standard French manicure, swapping out the white polish for a shimmering ruby red (we like OPI's Rhinestone Red-y, $12). Pop on starry nail decals after your pale neutral pink polish has completely dried down, but before you apply your top coat.
French Nail Black And White Top With Design Glitter Art Press On Nails Short Diy
Okay, we know; this is more "sparkly French manicured finger." But we think this look would be just as alluring if you added a few more French tips to
