The French tip dates as far back as the 18th century. The look had a brief hiatus sometime in the mid-2000s, but the latest incarnations are a far cry from the thick, angular acrylics of decades past. Rose petal decals, Mondrian outlines, and fishnet accents offer new ways to wear a French manicure right now.
Design by @me_julielee
French Fishnets
French tips and fishnets go hand in hand style wise, so why not combine the two vampy choices into one? Start with a bare nail, then hand paint a grid or use a nail stencil to get the crosshatched design. Once dry, paint your tips white and finish with a clear base.
@naominailsnyc
Understated Stripe
This look, worn by ELLE.com’s own beauty guru Julie Schott, is a subtle way to update the French manicure. After your white tips are dry, underline each with a stripe of nude and finish off the look with a clear topcoat.
Design by nataliepavloskinails
Floral Decals
An easy addition to the French tip? Decals. After creating the traditional look, layer a thin coat of clear top coat. While tacky, gingerly set your design and press down. Finish with a topcoat to secure.
Design by @nail_unistella
Mondrian Outlines
Focus on this manicure’s ring finger. The white tip is lined in black for a graphic, Mondrian-esque design.
Design by @paintbox
Oil Spill Tips
Take the oil spill nail trend to another level by applying the foiljust at your tips, leaving the rest of your nail bare.
Design by @mpnails
Checkerboard
For this checkerboard nail, start with a classic French tip. Once dry, apply black boxes to create the design and finish with a clear topcoat.
Design by @palemoonseattle
Mint Fade
This nail artist combined a mint French tip with an ombre fade. No matter what colors you choose, always start with your lightest shade first and give yourself ample time for each coat to dry.
Design by @aliciatnails
Double Lined
This minimal nail updates the French tip with the simple additional of a corresponding middle line. For that section, mimic the curve of your tip to get the cleanest look.
Design by @nailsbymii for @vanityprojects
Freeform Details
For a quirkier French tip, freehand your design all over like this mash-up of grapefruits, watermelons, and ’80s motifs.
Design by @sohotrightnail
French Fade
Apply the concept of French manicure—white tips with a nude base—to the ongoing ombre trend. For best results, apply the two polishes on a makeup sponge and continuously dab onto the nail. Finish with a topcoat.
Design by @krocaine
Micro Details
Bust out a thin brush to paint micro details to the base of your nail for a playful design. This back-to-school manicure by nail artist Kro Vargas features a yellow bus, a pencil, and a teeny tiny chalkboard.
Source: www.elle.com