Certain nail trends come in and out of style, while others, like French tip nail designs, remain timeless. And it’s easy to see why – elegant and understated, the classic French manicure not only flatters every nail shape but it also feeds into TikTok’s clean girl and old money aesthetic.
As with all beauty trends, however, the French mani has evolved over the years (remember when square acrylic French tips were all the rage?) and now, more than ever, we’re seeing colourful tips (with adds-on like glitter and nail art) reign supreme.
An edgier take on the classic French manicure, bold tips are here to stay – and we’ve got all the inspiration you need for your next manicure with 20 fun French tip nail designs that are guaranteed to make a statement. You’re welcome!
1. Silver glitter french
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Trust nail guru Harriet Westmoreland to create the prettiest French manicure that pairs a sheer, neutral base with silver glitter tips. Perfect for party season and beyond.
2. Classic black french
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We're calling it: this classic black French mani will be the ‘it’ nail look this autumn/winter. Seriously cool, these tips feed into the grunge beauty trend that's everywhere RN.
3. Lemon and lime French
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Before summer’s over, experiment with this citrus French tip nail design that pairs sunny yellow with bright green to mimic lemons and limes. It’s essentially dopamine dressing for your nails.
4. Baby blue French
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Blue nail polish is having a major moment. Tap into the trend with ‘blueberry milk nails’ that combine a sheer blue base with baby blue tips. So chic.
5. Swirly French
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For a fun twist on a classic French mani, opt for deep green tips and white swirly nail art. Cool yet understated, we're obsessed with this nail look.
6. Two-tone French
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Obsessed with a micro French manicure? Us too! Dial it up for autumn with a two tone design that sees the skinny tips painted half in one colour, and the other half in another.
7. Rainbow French
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Why stop at one colour when you can experiment with five? Take your cue from these rainbow festival nails that are bringing us so much joy.
8. Double French
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Instead of a single strip of colour along the tips, a double French manicure features two (hence the name). Currently on trend, experiment with pretty pastel shades or, for the brave, neon brights.
9. Blue glitter French
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As we said, blue nails are having a BIG moment and what better way to tap into the trend than with sparkly, ocean-inspired tips. We're saving this one for the festive period.
10. Barbie French
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There’s no such thing as too much pink – just ask Barbie. To do this look DIY, you’ll need a bright pink for the base and an even brighter pink for the tips.
11. Dalmatian French
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How adorable are these dalmatian French tip nails? Save this look for your next nail appointment or invest in some of the best press-on nails.
12. Velvet French
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Velvet nails, but make them French. We can't get enough of Lily Allen's shimmery style, created by nail legend Michelle Humphrey.
13. Tortoiseshell French
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Tortoiseshell nail art is still popular, and we can totally understand why. Not only will they match your favourite sunglasses, but they'll also go with pretty much everything in your wardrobe. For an autumnal upgrade, why not try it with French tips?
14. Glazed French
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Glazed donut nails are summer's sweetest manicure and they're sticking around for autumn/winter, too. For something a little different, experiment with glazed donut tips.
15. Mermaid French
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Seriously stunning, these mermaid French tips have summer holiday written all over them. Match them with a mermaid beauty look for extra impact.
16. Cherry French
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Super sweet, ask your manicurist to paint dinky cherries on top of peachy pink tips. It’s giving “spring picnic energy”, as @overglowedit says.
17. Clashing French
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Clashing shades feel fresh, fun and joyful. Reserve colour just for the tips or, mix up the base shades, too.
18. Reverse French
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An easy way to refresh a classic French manicure? Paint a sliver of colour along the base of the nail instead of the tip. This works especially well with a squoval nail shape.
19. Invisible French
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What's an invisible French manicure, I hear you ask? Put simply, it's where the tip is outlined (as opposed to being filled in) for a cool, understated finish.
20. Floral French
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Not just for spring, floral nail art works well all year round. For autumn, swap out popping brights for deep, moody shades like navy and berry.