Chic, minimalist and always on trend—the French manicure is far from over. A staple of the ’70s, it's made a stunning comeback in recent seasons. Modern, reimagined, endlessly reinvented, it comes in infinite variations. Ready to create your own twist on the French? We’re revealing all the secrets of this nail art classic, plus our tips to master it at home—like a pro!
The French manicure: what is it exactly?
A "so French" look born in the USA
Contrary to what you might think, the French manicure wasn’t born in Paris—but in Los Angeles! Created in the 1970s by Jeff Pink, founder of the brand Orly, it was originally designed to meet the needs of Hollywood studios: keeping actors from needing a nail color change with every wardrobe switch. The result? Hands with a neutral, refined, go-with-anything look... and always red carpet-ready. Dubbed the “French Manicure”, it was a nod to that effortlessly chic something we associate with the French. Its discreet, elegant, and versatile appeal has made it a global favorite.
A technique with infinite possibilities
The French formula: a nude, white or slightly pink base topped with a super-fine white tip. It enhances nails with a clean, polished and subtle finish… Bonus: the French flatters every nail shape—short, long, round, square or almond—and suits any occasion (hello, wedding season!) as well as everyday wear. Whether you're using classic nail polish or Gel Polish, it's always a safe bet.
Today, the French manicure is enjoying a major comeback in nail art trends. Reimagined as reverse French, ombré, glittered party nails or dressed up in bright colors, it's been modernized without ever losing its chic DNA.
Classic, colorful or reversed: French manicures get a glow-up, seen on Selena, Gigi and Hailey.
(@tombachik, @nailsbymei, @nailsbyzola)
The colors of the French manicure
Here are our favorite tips and tricks to help you find the perfect color pairings for a flawless French manicure.
The classic version: a timeless icon
For the nude or translucent base, go for a sheer polish like Milky White, Hortencia, or Pale Rose, or opt for one of our Active Glow treatment polishes—especially Grape and Raspberry.
💡 Tip: For an immaculate finish, apply a first layer of Active Smooth, our perfecting treatment polish that smooths imperfections and evens out the nail surface.
For the white tip on the free edge: choose a classic white polish like Snow or an opaque white like Crème.
Classic French: nude or translucent base + crisp white tip = an unbeatable combo.
(@m.o.n.a.j, @matejanova, @look8thenails)
Reversed or glitter French: flipping the script
The Reversed Double French: apply two thin coats of Pale Rose, a soft, milky pink polish. Then, using a fine liner brush, outline the inner contour of the nail with the punchy pink Pop and the tip with the vivid blue Bubble—or switch the two around.
💡 Tip: alternate colors from nail to nail for added fun!
Glitter Reversed French: to achieve this luminous look, start with Active Smooth for a flawless neutral base. Once dry, apply Active Shine for an instant glow. Then, with a liner brush, draw a fine line along the inner contour using a golden-bronze shade like Bronzé.
🤩 Ideal for long or almond-shaped nails, this combo offers a jewelry-like finish that's subtle yet striking.
The Autumn French: start with Hortencia as your base—a flattering sheer pink for medium to deeper skin tones. Once dry, draw a reversed smile line using Chestnut and a fine brush.
💡 Tip: for a more graphic effect, mix up classic French, reversed, and all-over looks.
Reversed or glitter French: guaranteed wow factor.
(@m.o.n.a.j, @look8thenails)
Colored French: dare to go bold
The French manicure isn’t limited to nude and white. It’s also a canvas for color play: fresh pastels, vibrant shades, or sunny hues... Here are some of our favorite combos:
Frosted Lemon French with Lime, a refreshing yellow-green at the tips, paired with a nude base like Hortencia.
🤩 Looks fab on short or rounded nails for a subtle pop!
Chic & Sun-Kissed French using Hortencia for a flattering pinky-nude base and Riviera, a vibrant azure blue, on the tip in a fine line.
🤩 A striking contrast—perfect for sun-kissed skin. A summer must-have!
Fruity French with Active Glow Cranberry, a sheer rosy-orange treatment polish, in one or two coats depending on intensity, and Coral Reef, a punchy coral shade, for the tip.
🤩 A stunning combo for medium to deep skin tones.
Fresh, fun or sunlit combos to energize your French.
(@matejanova)
Twisted French: when the lines blur
Colored borders, double lines, geometric patterns, contrasts or soft pastel gradients... The French manicure becomes a true style playground. Here are our favorite next-gen takes on the classic:
French & Dots: start with a shiny nude base, then add a frosty blue tip using Light Blue and a tiny iridescent dot just above the lunula. A minimalist yet light-catching twist.
🤩 Best on short or square nails for a chic, minimal finish.
Pastel Blue Fusion: a harmony of blue tones in a soft gradient—from powdery blue-gray to bright turquoise—blending Lilas, Saphir, Poppy Seed, Riviera, Light Blue, and Mermaid for a multi-tonal aquatic French.
🤩 Perfect for oval or almond-shaped nails—soft, airy and luminous with every move.
Vibrant Double Mini French: an eye-catching neon duo with a graphic edge—start with a line of Neon Pink at the tip, then layer a Pistachio stripe over it using the Mani Stamper. You get a crisp two-tone tip with unbeatable depth.
🤩 Ideal for golden skin tones—try it on almond nails for a playful, arty fruit-inspired finish.
Give the French an arty edge: dots, color and creative freedom.
(@madame_est_vernie, @m.o.n.a.j, @look8thenails)
Our tips to master the French manicure at home
A salon-style French manicure from the comfort of your sofa? Absolutely—if you've got the right tools and techniques. From nail prep to the precise swipe of white or color, and the final glossy touch, every step matters for a flawless, long-lasting result. Here's your step-by-step guide to getting it right at home—stress free.
Prep your nails like a pro
Shape your nails using a gentle emery board designed for natural nails, in your desired shape—square, round, oval or almond. Then, soften your cuticles using the Effective Emollient and gently push them back with a cuticle pusher. Finally, buff the surface using our buffer sponge to smooth the nail and help your polish adhere.
Protect and enhance
Apply a protective base coat like the Green™ Base Coat or the Green Flash™ Vitamin Base Coat, depending on your polish type. Let it dry before applying your nude base and color tip. Finish with a top coat to lock in your nail art—choose Sunshine Top Coat or Green Flash™ Top Coat depending on your formula.
At home or in the salon: master the French art—like a pro.
Must-have French manicure tools
If you're a nail art enthusiast, you'll love using a nail art liner brush to paint on the perfect French smile line—especially great for mini French styles.
New to French manicures? You’ll adore our latest tool! With the Mani Stamper, French tips are easier than ever. No more shaky hands—the Mani Stamper lets you apply that crisp white (or colorful) line in seconds.
Before starting, make sure you’ve got everything to hand. The application is super intuitive: place a stripe of polish directly onto the silicone pad of the Mani Stamper and gently press the edge of your nail into the polish to create the tip. The silicone mold fits the curve of your nail perfectly for a flawless, professional look. Perfectionists can finish off the curve with a nail art brush if desired.
💡 Tip: don’t press your nail vertically—go at an angle to preserve the pad.
Liner brush or Mani Stamper: your two go-to tools for flawless French tips.
Classic or bold, minimalist or glittered, the French manicure continues to prove its amazing ability to adapt to every nail shape and personal style. A true chameleon of nail art, it’s never lost its charm—only gained more modern flair. Whether you're into delicate nudes or bold color pops, all that’s left to do is choose your favorites, grab your Mani Stamper and let your creativity shine. Sometimes all it takes is one simple line to make a big statement 😉
