25 Fun and Festive French Manicure Ideas for July

red, white, and gold french nails — @lolo.nailedit / instagram

French manicures are a classic, never-fail nail design. The traditional look featuring a simple, neutral base and white tips always makes for a crisp, clean manicure. But come summer, we like to trade in the white and baby pink nail polishes for more vibrant shades. This July, we're opting for French manicures with colorful tips (from tomato red to electric blue) and tons of nail art. If you're looking for inspiration for your next out-of-the-box French manicure, consider these 25 nail ideas.

01 of 27

'80s-Inspired French Manicure

white, blue, and pink french nails — @brushedbyb_ / Instagram

For an 80s-inspired take on the classic French manicure, swap out the neutral base and thin white tips for an alternating fuchsia, teal, and opaque white color palette. A thick outline along the tips of the nails, rather than a thin one, adds dimension. The punchy color block style creates a striking contrast that works.

02 of 27

Mix-and-Match Blue Tips

Blue multi-design French nail look — @lolo.nailedit / Instagram

Blue nails are big for summer. To turn up the volume on a standard blue-rimmed French mani, add mix-and-match nail art. The decorative designs—featuring tie-dye swirls, checkerboard print, and more—give the nails a louder look.

03 of 27

Cherry Red French Manicure

Half moon French manicure with red and gold detail — @lolo.nailedit / Instagram

Red nails are a year-round staple. For a festive take on a red and white French manicure, add a thin layer of gold underneath the tips.

04 of 27

Gold Foil French Manicure

Gold tipped French manicure — @nuka.nails / Instagram

Metallic French nails have been trending for some time, and for a super elevated look, go for gold. The foil texture on each tip adds extra elegance to the manicure.

05 of 27

Blue Squiggly French Manicure

Blue squiggle French manicure — @imarninails / Instagram

A blue French manicure is anything but boring, and incorporating varying shades gives the nails a playful edge. But the best part about rocking a squiggly French manicure is that perfection is not the name of the game. Since each design is unique, there’s no way to mess this one up if you do it yourself. The more abstract the design, the better.

06 of 27

Flaming French Manicure

Neon green flame French manicure — @nuka.nails / Instagram

Seafoam green is a gorgeous summer shade. The baby French tips and precisely painted flames look stunning together.

07 of 27

Barbie Pink French Manicure

Pink French manicure with rhinestones — @nails_of_la / Instagram

Try a bright pink French manicure on for size this month. Opting for long, almond-shaped tips gives you more space to add fun details like dazzling nail gems.

08 of 27

Pucci Print French Manicure

If your summer travels take you to Europe or even the local beach, a Pucci-inspired manicure will surely be the perfect accessory. With its swirled design pulled straight from the colorful patterns of the famous dresses, these nails are quite the summer statement.

09 of 27

Pretty Pink French Manicure

Pink French manicure with pink rhinestones — @phoebesummernails / Instagram

Nothing screams summer more than a pretty pink French manicure. To add even more Barbiecore flair to this already gorgeous look, add a few pink-toned nail gems to each nail.

10 of 27

Celestial Red French Manicure

Red celestial French manicure — @phoebesummernails / Instagram

Star-adorned nails aren’t reserved just for the holidays. Add a celestial touch to your French manicure by adding bejeweled gold stars to your red tips.

11 of 27

Simple French Manicure

Pink and gold French manicure — @chalkboardnails / Instagram

If a classic French manicure is more your speed, stick with clean neutral shades like baby pinks and milky whites as the base color. For a bit of sparkle, add a hint of gold sparkle along the tips.

12 of 27

Pink-on-Pink French Manicure

Pink on pink square French manicure — @nuka.nails / Instagram

A pink French manicure is a reliable nail look for summer. But if you can’t decide on a single shade of pink, go with several. Apply a different shade onto each nail to create a cool gradient effect.

13 of 27

Blue Croc Print French Manicure

Blue reptile textured French manicure — @nuka.nails / Instagram

For the bold and daring, a textured croc-inspired French manicure in pale blue is worth considering. But don’t be fooled—this is next-level nail art intricacy, so be prepared to spend a few hours in your manicurist’s chair.

14 of 27

Pink Textured French Manicure

Hot pink nails are a statement maker, but the look becomes next-level chic when you add texture to the tips. The trick to achieving a textured French mani is to combine contrasting colors to add dimension and depth.

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Skittle French Manicure

Since Skittle-inspired nails hit the manicure scene a few seasons ago, every possible iteration of the colorful trend, including the French manicure, has been done. To keep the nails on point for summer, stick with colorful primary colors.

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Diamond-Studded French Manicure

White French manicure with rhinestones — @nuka.nails / Instagram

Add bling to your white French manicure to put a glamorous spin on it. The tiny gems and clusters give the traditional nail look a modern feel.

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Super Swirly French Manicure

Bright colored swirl French manicure tips — @nuka.nails / Instagram

Multicolored swirly nail art is the perfect complement to a nude nail base. The color combination, which features virtually every color in the rainbow, doesn’t disappoint. Opting for long, square nails will give you plenty of space to show off this intricate, summer-worthy design.

18 of 27

Dew Drop French Manicure

Blue French manicure water nails — @nuka.nails / Instagram

A pool-inspired manicure is a perfect option for July. The ocean blue French tips and 3D dewdrop designs give off summer vibes.

19 of 27

Green Croc Print French Manicure

Bright green crocodile French manicure — @nuka.nails / Instagram

Croc print is one of our favorite nail art trends. One of the coolest ways to wear the pattern is alongside a French manicure. The bright green polish makes the reptile-inspired nail design stand out.

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Pink Chrome French Manicure

In July, experiment with metallics by going for a pink chrome manicure. Start by applying a fuschia pink polish to your tips before swiping on a chrome powder.

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Blue Negative Space French Manicure

Blue double French manicure — @nailsbyzola / Instagram

This manicure combines two trends—negative space and double French—into one. The electric blue polish makes the minimalist design even more eye-catching.

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Black and White Abstract French Manicure

If you're into retro designs, try this abstract black-and-white French manicure. The free-flowing lines give the nail look an interesting finish.

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Butter Yellow French Manicure

Soft, butter-yellow nails are having a moment this summer, and we are here for it. But if an all-over shade of the trendy color is too much, tip-toe into the trend with a French manicure.

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Dainty Floral French Manicure

Marbled floral French manicure — @swaknails / Instagram

Dress up a standard French manicure with dreamy marbled florals that sit on the tips. Accented by a neutral base, the pale-hued floral design complements any breezy summer outfit.

25 of 27

Pink Iridescent French Manicure

Pink glitter French manicure — @swaknails / Instagram

A layer of glitter boosts the "wow factor" of this Barbie pink French manicure. Adding mega-watt sparkle to neon pink nails gives the polish an iridescent effect, allowing the shade to twinkle in the sunlight.

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Neon Jelly French Manicure

Nothing complements sun-kissed skin like a jelly-neon French manicure. Using jelly polishes gives the nails a semi-translucent finish that's incredibly fun for summer.

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Rainbow Micro French Manicure

Micro rainbow French nails — @pop_polished / Instagram

Short nails can make a statement with the right polishes and designs. One way to create a mesmerizing mani is to opt for rainbow micro French nail art. The thinner line is perfect for shorter nails but still packs a major punch.