The French Manicure, 10 Ways to wear It
The look had a brief hiatus sometime in the mid-2000s, but the latest incarnations are a far cry from the thick.

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 checkerboard accents offer new ways to wear a French manicure right now.
Understated Stripe
Courtesy of instagram @naominailsnyc
It is a subtle way to update the French manicure. After your white tips are dry, under line each with a stripe of nude and finish off the look with a clear topcoat.
Floral Decals
Courtesy of instagram @nataliepavloskinails
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.
Mondrian Outlines
Courtesy of instagram @nail_unistella
Focus on this manicure's ring finger. The white tip is lined in black for a graphic, Mondrian-esque design.
Oil Spill Tips
Courtesy of instagram @paintbox
Take the oil spill nail trend to another level by applying the foil just at your tips, leaving the rest of your nail bare.
Checkerboard
Courtesy of instagram @mpnails
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.
Mint Fade
Courtesy of instagram @palemoonseattle
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.
Double Lined
Courtesy of instagram @aliciatnails
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.
Freeform Details
Courtesy of instagram @nailsbymii for @vanityprojects
For a quirkier French tip, freehand your design all over like this mash-up of grapefruits, watermelons, and '80s motifs.
French Fade
Courtesy of instagram @sohotrightnail
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.
Micro Details
Courtesy of instagram @krocaine
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.