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When it comes to choosing a classic nail style, I totally believe that French tips are the Chanel No.5 of nail art; more so, if you believe in understated glamour in this day and age of crazy nail art designs. French nail designs not only look uber polished, but they work with any ensemble or occasion – be it a formal board meeting, a glamorous cocktail affair or even for your BFF’s wedding. Did someone say versatile?
However, if you thought this age-old classic belonged to the mid-2000s, we’re here to prove otherwise. The latest incarnations of French nail art designs are anything but basic. French nail art ideas today include anything that can add a little pizazz to your nails. Think glittering nail tips, gorgeous lace details, fishnet accents, chic metallic elements, and even rainbow patterns. What’s more, you can also add some colour to your French nail art to make them more interesting. If we haven’t said this before, we’ll say it now – the sky is the limit.
To make your lives easier, we have rounded out some magnificent French manicure nail art that looks amazing and is really oh-so-easy to recreate at home. All you need to do is to make sure your nails are clean and buffed for a smooth result, because French tip nail art mostly has a plain base, so a ridged nail bed will make your final look appear uneven and amateurish. File your nails to get your desired shape, many people prefer an almond when they go for a French tip nail design because the nails are perfectly aligned and your tips look symmetrical.
However, let’s first start with the basics of how to ace the perfect French manicure at home.
French Manicure Tips At Home
Here are a few tips to get the perfect French manicure at home
- Step 1: Start by applying a coat of DeBelle Top & Base Coat on all your nails to even out the nail surface.
- Step 2: Apply two thin coats of the neutral colour (subtle pink) on your entire nails. After it’s completely dry, place a thin strip of scotch tape on the area separating the tips. Paint your tips with the white nail paint; remove the strip when the nail paint dries. We love the Miss Claire French Manicure Kit which features a subtle pink shade and a bright white matte for the tips.
- Step 3: Finish with a top coat of Nykaa Nail Care - Matte Top Coat , running it along the edge of the tip to cap the nail as this will help prevent chipping. To extend the life of your French manicure, reapply a top coat every 2 to 3 days.
As gorgeous as French nail art designs are, sometimes it’s just great to reinvent a classic and make it your own. Here are our ideas for modernising the classic mani for a total nail makeover.
French Nail Art Ideas
1. A Dash Of Bling
One of the easiest ways to jazz up the basic French nail art is to add some sparkle to your tips. Feel free to experiment with different hues of glitter and patterns to keep things interesting. Festive nails anyone?
How To Achieve:
- Step 1: Follow the previous steps to achieve perfect French nails, but instead of a horizontal line on the nails, draw a diagonal stripe.
- Step 2: Next using Coloressence Dazzle Diva Glitter Metallic Nail Paint, paint a diagonal stripe on the half portion of your nails.
- Step 3: Seal it off the Plum Color Affair 3-in-1 Strengthener, Base & Top Coat for a long-lasting, chip-free finish.
2. Fishnet Mani
How about giving the crescent-shaped white tips a miss, and trying something more edgy and versatile for a change? We love this quirky fishnet French nail art, replete with edgy stones and floral accents.
How To Achieve:
- Step 1: Start by applying a coat of O.P.I Natural Nail Base Coat on all your nails to even out the nail surface.
- Step 2: Apply two thin coats of Orly French Manicure - Pink Nude on your entire nails. On the index and the pinky finger, place a thin strip of scotch tape in a criss-cross manner and paint your tips with the white nail paint. Place a tiny gemstone on your nails. Use this: Nails&More Nla-19 Nail Art Stone Wheel.
- Step 3: To achieve the criss-cross pattern, dab some paint on a net and then place it on your nails. Remove the net, wait for it to dry and put on Plum Color Affair 3-in-1 Strengthener, Base & Top Coat .
3. Take A Bow
This minimal nail look updates the French tip with the simple addition of a delicate bow. Plus, it’s the easiest look to achieve if you want to keep it simple, yet uber elegant.
How To Achieve:
- Step 1: Always start with a base coat such as the Renee Cosmetics Base Coat Nail Enamel for a rich long-lasting colour.
- Step 2: After you are done with your regular French Polish Nails, let them dry and then stick mini bows like Nails&More Nla-4 Nail Art Glitter Wheel using a base coat.
- Step 3: Finish off with the VERYMISS Premium Non UV Gel Nail Polish - 223 Top Coat
4. Pink Lined
Who says French manicure nail art can’t be colourful? We recommend adding a quirky pink stripe to make your nails pop. What’s not to love?
How To Achieve:
- Step 1: Start by applying a coat of Matra TINTED 3-in-1 Top & Base Coat on all your nails to even out the nail surface.
- Step 2: Apply two thin coats of a base coat on your entire nails. Place two thin strips of scotch tape to mark the area that needs to be painted with a white hue. After this completely dries, place a thin strip of scotch tape near the white nail paint. Paint the tips with Lakme True Wear Color Crush – 21 for that pink lining.
- Step 3: Finish the look with a fast and dry top coat.
5. Wednesday-Coded
As the lore for Jenna Ortega’s Wednesday (2022) continues with the drop of Season 2, try this French tip nail art that combines the simplicity of a French mani and the essence of a well-loved emo-horror story.
How To Achieve:
- Step 1: Start with a beige base nail coat and then apply a colour closest to that of your nail bed.
- Step 2: Wait for it to dry and apply a small piece of scotch tape marking the area that needs to be painted black, take a jet black nail paint and paint the tips.
- Step 3: Finish the French nail design with a top coat to secure the pattern.
6. Fall French Tip
It’s time to embrace the fall aesthetic with an autumn-themed French nail with a design inspired by the mesmerising colours of the leaves we get to experience during this season. Who doesn’t love a little nature-inspired nail inspo?
How To Achieve:
- Step 1: Start with a base coat or a light beige reflecting the natural colour of your nail.
- Step 2: Take the quintessential fall colours – maroon, orange, yellow, green, and mustard. Apply small drops of these colours and take a toothpick or a small nail art tool to pull the drop into a leafy shape.
- Step 3: Stack these leaves on top of each other and finish with a transparent top coat to seal the deal.
7. Pastel Paradise
Pastel shades are really having a moment these days with brides choosing those hues for their lehengas, the influence of the Bridgerton family and their colour palette, and the soft-girl aesthetic that’s been gaining popularity as a change from the bold Millennial shade card. French tips with a pastel twist are just what you need to try before the trend dies down.
- Step 1: Start with your normal French nail art base with a clear or nude base.
- Step 2: Colour the tip of your nails with different shades of pastel hues, you can also choose a single colour for all your nails, but where’s the fun in that?
- Step 3: Top it off with a clear coat for that extra shine.
8. Geometric French Tips
If you want to try something different other than the classic yet minimal French nail art design, then this colour-block geometric nail art is just the right inspiration. With just three shades you can create a unique design.
- Step 1: Place a scotch tape diagonally across the nail and paint hot pink on one side.
- Step 2: Take off the tape and apply a lighter red on the other half.
- Step 3: Place another scotch tape right below the tip and paint it a bright red, finish it off with a clear top coat.
9. Polka Passion
Polka dots were very really popular in the 80s and the 90s as a design choice for clothes, home decor, and art. This trend is coming back as a nail art choice in the 21st century and a French polka dot nail art design is a great retro vibe to embrace. Longer nails are ideal for this nail art as you can do better justice to the design
- Step 1:Apply a clear coat before you begin to strengthen and even out your nail bed.
- Step 2: Make white dots of different sizes on your fingernail tips.
- Step 3: Finish with a clear coat to secure the art.
10. Coquette Core
Lana Del Ray made the coquette core popular and the Gen-Z in me is all for it. This soft girl aesthetic is one for the gram and you have to create this one.
- Step 1: Start with a clear base and continue with the classic French nail art design.
- Step 2: Add a thin line where the white separates from the clear coat. Make a small bow using a thin applicator.
- Step 3: Stick a small silver rhinestone in the middle for that bedazzled effect. Apply a thin layer of top coat to seal everything in place.
Parting Thoughts
French tip nail art can be creative, these art styles are more than just a white tip under a clear coat. You can jazz it up with the use of colours, rhinestones, geometric patterns, and glitter. With the right tools, colours, and a steady hand, you can achieve stunning French nail art designs within minutes.
FAQs
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What is unique about a French nail art design?
What makes French tip nail art unique is the natural-looking base with a white tip. Although the clear base with the white tip is a classic French manicure, today you can experiment with different colours and embellishments to make a classic design more fun.
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What are the benefits of French nail art designs?
A French tip nail art can make your fingers look slimmer than maximalist nail art options. They also offer a very professional look for corporate events and work meetings.
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Which nail shape looks the best for French Tips?
If you have short nails go for square or oval-shaped nails and if you have long nails you can opt for rounded nails.
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Can I do a French manicure at home?
Yes, it is very easy to do a French manicure and a French tip nail art at home. We recommend the Miss Claire French Manicure Kit to DIY a manicure at home.
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How to maintain French nails?
Make sure you keep your nails clean because the clear coat and white tips can get tainted easily, especially if we eat spicy Indian food with our hands. Buff and file your nails to maintain the shape, and keep retouching the tips for a clean look.