The French Mani Is Back (But Not the Way You Remember It)

moden french manicure design — Ines Bahr / Unsplash

If you're like us, as soon as you notice a chip in your manicure, you begin to daydream about the nail art you'll book for your next appointment. While abstract designs and neon accents surely occupy a large amount of real estate in our Instagram "saved" folder, we also find ourselves gravitating toward a simpler, classic look: none other than the French manicure.

Now, we know what you're thinking: That's not new—and you'd be partially correct. But, thanks to Instagram and professional and DIY manicurists, modernized takes on the standard white tips are popping up left and right. From bright colors to tonal ombré nails, ahead you'll discover 40 fun ways to put a modern spin on the French mani. And trust us, you’ll be glad you tried them out.

Looking for some inspiration for your nails? Keep scrolling for 40 fun new takes on the French manicure that you’ll love trying out.

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White Edges

long acrylic French manicure nails — @digitzbydev

These long square nails pair elegant white tips with a neutral pink base for an updated French manicure that we plan to include in our repertoire immediately.

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Rainbow Tips

If you love the simplicity of a French manicure but crave a bold pop of color, you can't go wrong with this rainbow take on the classic. With seven ultra-thin curved lines, your tips will look like something dreamed up by Lisa Frank.

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Wavy French

nude nail with swirl French design — @lipstickmixtapes

Not all French manicures have to take up the entire tip of your nail. This one shows how statement-making it can be to try a slanted and slightly curvy swath of color.

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Glitter Tips

black ombre nails with gold glitter french tips — @nataliesnails_

Sometimes all it takes is swapping out white polish for a classic ruby red paired with your favorite glittery gold. Our favorite is the Essie Luxeffects Nail Polish ($9). For an extra pop of glam, consider bedazzling your nails, too.

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Purple Tips

purple French nails with rounded almond tips — @lipstickmixtapes

White nail polish is dainty and demure; deep purple, on the other hand, is seductive and lavish and demands attention.

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Technicolor Tips

rainbow French manicure — @mercedesbeautybar_nails

Why settle on just one color when you can wear a rainbow French tip on each nail? To get the look, use a French manicure sticker to section off your nail and serve as a stencil for the fine line between the neutral base and colorful tip. From there, place a few drops of different-colored polishes side-by-side on a plate. Use a sponge to gently pick up all the colors and press it on your nails. It will effortlessly blend between the shades for a subtle, faded effect.

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Negative Space Double French

Double French manicure with white outline and tips — @nailthoughts

French manicures are gorgeous for their simplistic design. If you want to make it a bit more complex while still nailing the minimalist allure, skip a solid coat of white in favor of this lightly lined, double-French-tip look.

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Reverse French

upside down orange French nails — @carlylouisebeauty_

Who doesn't love being a trendsetter? Sure, the classic French mani is great, but why not reverse the look? It seems like such a simple idea, yet it’s not something we’ve seen too often. It preserves all the elegance and simplicity of the traditional French but adds a pop of creative rebel.

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Metallic Pink Tips

metallic pink French manicure — @nailjob

These nails might look like a single shade of pink glimmering in the light, but if you look closely, you'll notice that each tip is a varying shade of fuchsia.

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French Stars

Instead of ditching classic white French tips altogether, why not try pairing them with an extra touch of glam? Here, we have tiny star-like accents on each nail for a pretty, minimalist impact.

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Retro Blue

These fun metallic blue nails will leave you feeling anything other than, well, blue. The retro design paired with the light, bright blend of blues has the potential to make you feel downright cheery.

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Slim Citrus Tips

neon green French nail design — @lipstickmixtapes

Why line your whole nail with a French tip when you can make just as big of an impact with a fine line arched around the outer edge? One thing's for sure: With a crisp line like that, you'll have to enlist the help of a pro or keep a touch-up pen close by.

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Show What Matters

French nails with BLK written in chalk — @imangabrielle

Use your nails to express what’s important. Whether you're celebrating your identity or standing in solidarity and support, this look will always be timeless and important.

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Tonal Tips

Manicure with green, orange, and neutral French tips — @digitzbydev

Whether you love the tonal manicure trend or you can't make up your mind as to which sweater-weather shade to pick, this fall-friendly mani is worth adding to your inspo folder.

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Duo Digits

French manicure with rainbow split-tone tips — @vanityprojects

It's a twofer: We're into it—especially since every edge has a different shade combination.

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Modern French

slanted white French manicure tips — @digitzbydev

We can't take our eyes off of this geometric rendition of the classic French manicure. While the white tip doesn't extend across the entire nail, the way it's slanted gives it a dimension that we want to copy ASAP.

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Mermaid-Approved

French manicure with white 3D seashell accent nails — @vanityprojects

For all the classic French manicure lovers, check out this bejeweled (er, be-shelled) nail art idea. It's a more elegant tradeoff for the holographic pastels of typical mermaid-inspired nails.

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Splash of Color

What do you get when you cross a Crayola box with a French mani? We imagine something like this varicolored set.

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Stenciled Letters

Whether you choose your initials, the name of someone special in your life, or spell an impactful word or mantra across your digits, stenciled letters make a statement—literally. Make it easy on yourself and use adhesive decals. That way, you can have a word of the day and switch things up.

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Cheery Cherries

pink French manicure with cherries — @nailsbyjulianna_

These cherry-inspired nails give us major summer vibes. The cherries are just the right size to make this mani both cute and classy without taking away from the simply sweet design.

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Neon Tips

You didn't think we'd forget to include the neon trend, did you? These bright French tips are sure to make a lasting impression. You can even use a UV blacklight-compatible nail polish to make your look come to life and pop in the dark.

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Off-Kilter

French manicure with asymmetrical white tips — @joysedition

This white-tipped look stays true to the classic while adding a (literal) twist. (See how it's sloped down towards one side of the nail?) We're loving the unexpected variation.

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Peachy Tips

Sometimes, all it takes is swapping out shades to create a fun take on a classic. This chic French tip has all the sweetness of a fresh, juicy peach. If you want to replicate the look at home, we suggest using guide stickers to get your perfect tip shape.

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Ruby Points

ruby red French manicure on nude nails — @digitzbydev

Go big or go home—or, in this case, go as paper-thin (and ruby red) as possible to make a really big splash. Before you know it, all your friends will be copying your snap-worthy nail art.

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Pastel Swirls

Take the classic French tip and turn it on its side, and you'll get elegant designs like these pastel swirls. They have a lovely sense of movement and strike a delicate balance between classy and hip.

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Fine Lines

French manicure with ultra-thin white tips — @betina_goldstein

This may very well be the teeniest, tiniest French mani we've ever seen—and yet, the ultra-fine lines capture our attention in a way that a classic French never could.

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Sesame Street Tips

French manicure with Sesame Street character tips — @ajackdannie

Bring some fun, childhood nostalgia to your nails. You can’t get much more playful than some of your favorite friends from Sesame Street adorning your tips.

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Pastel Dots

French manicure with pastel dotted tips — @beautyspace_charlotte

Cute and flirty, we love the little pastel-colored dots that adorn these nails. It’s a great look for spring or when you’re craving the arrival of warmer weather at the end of winter. If you're in the mood to DIY, try a dotting pen tool for perfectly precise dots.

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Spring Color Burst

French manicure with pastel multicolored tips — @dolledupbyamisha

Springy and fresh, we love the colors used here. This look would be adorable for a baby shower, Easter, or a spring gathering, and it's easy enough to do at home on your own.

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Ombré Pink

One of the most popular ways to upgrade a French manicure is to blur the lines between colors. We can't lie; we totally understand why after sinking down the rabbit hole of a search query that is #frenchombrenails.

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Picnic Blanket Vibes

Remember gingham, the classic picnic blanket print? It's a great idea to use everyone’s favorite alfresco dining experience as your inspiration. Just one look at them will instantly conjure up fond memories of watermelon slices and summertime fun.

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Colorful Smiles

French manicure with multicolored tips and smiling/frowning faces — @chicaartistanails

When you need a little reminder to smile more often, why not adorn your tips with tiny happy faces?

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Marbled Tips

French manicure with multicolored swirl tips — @freshnaildew

We're obsessed with these marbled nails. It’s almost like the more you look at them, the more mesmerizing they become. The color combos pop, and the design manages to be alluring without being busy or gaudy.

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Spring Daisies

Multicolored French tips with daisy nail designs — @nailsxanayely

The options are nearly endless if you pair a micro image, like these adorable daisies, with a classic French mani look. Consider butterflies, moons, ladybugs, cats, music notes, shooting stars, or fall leaves. You can customize your look based on the season or your favorite hobby.

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Golden Glitter

These regal-looking nails, which feature roses and gold stripes amidst the glitter, would make a perfect choice for a wedding, gala, or black-tie event. Of course, they're also a great look for a night in with takeout and a movie. You just can’t go wrong with glitter.

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Flirty Print Tips

Mixed print French manicure — @digitzbydev

When you’re looking for novelty and variety, why not decorate each tip with a different print? This mani went straight to our inspiration board.

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Ice Cream Pastels

Pastel manicure with rainbow asymmetrical tips — @beautyspace_charlotte

These nails give us all the lovely nostalgic vibes of a retro ice cream parlor. You can almost smell rocky road and vanilla bean wafting in the air and that oh-so-craveable aroma of freshly baked waffle cones.

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Lime Bubbles

French manicure with lime tips and bubble texture — @digitzbydev

Who doesn't love some nail art? There’s something eye-catching in these zesty lime bubbles. If you’re looking for a lighthearted design, little bubbles can make a cute option and will certainly put you in a good mood.

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Tie-Dye Swirls

Tie-dye is in; French manicures are in—it was only a matter of time before the two joined forces for one epic nail look. You can also switch up the color palette you use, keeping the options nearly endless.

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Pink Camo

What's more eye-catching than these bright pink camo tips? Since the nails are extra long, there’s even room for a cute heart cutout if you so desire.

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