47 Modern French Manicures With a Fresh Twist

French manicure with white 3D seashell accent nails — @vanityprojects

If you're like us, as soon as you notice a chip in your manicure, you begin to daydream about the nail art you'll book for your next appointment. While abstract designs and neon accents surely occupy a large amount of real estate in our Instagram "saved" folder, we also find ourselves gravitating toward a simpler, classic, European-inspired nail trend: the French manicure.

Now, we know what you're thinking: That's not new—and you'd be partially correct. But, thanks to Instagram and professional and DIY manicurists, modernized takes on the standard white tips are popping up left and right. From bright colors to tonal ombré nails, ahead, keep scrolling to discover 47 fun ways to put a modern spin on the French mani. And trust us, you’ll be glad you tried them out.

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White Edges

Long white acrylic French manicure nails — @digitzbydev / Instagram

These long square nails pair elegant white tips with a neutral pink base for an updated French manicure that we plan to include in our repertoire immediately.

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Rainbow Tips

Oval-shaped slanted rainbow French manicure nail designs — @gyspy.nail.girl / Instagram

If you love the simplicity of a French manicure but crave a bold pop of color, you can't go wrong with this rainbow take on the classic. With seven ultra-thin curved lines, your tips will look like something dreamed up by Lisa Frank.

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Wavy French

Nude nail with swirl French design — @lipstickmixtapes / Instagram

Not all French manicures require covering the entire tip of the nail. This one shows how statement-making it can be to try a slanted and slightly curvy swath of color.

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Glitter Tips

Black ombré nails with gold glitter French tips — @nataliesnails_ / Instagram

Sometimes, all it takes is swapping out white polish for a classic ruby red paired with your favorite glittery gold. Our favorite is the Essie Luxeffects Nail Polish in Summit of Style. For an extra pop of glam, consider bedazzling your nails with a rhinestone or two.

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Purple Tips

Purple French nails with rounded almond tips — @lipstickmixtapes / Instagram

White nail polish is dainty and demure; deep purple, on the other hand, is seductive, lavish, and demands attention.

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Technicolor Tips

Rainbow French manicure — @mercedesbeautybar_nails / Instagram

Why settle on just one color when you can wear a rainbow French tip on each nail?

Byrdie Tip

To get the look, use a French manicure sticker to section off your nail and serve as a stencil for the fine line between the neutral base and colorful tip. From there, place a few drops of different polish colors side-by-side on a plate. Use a sponge to gently pick up all the colors and press it on your nails. It will effortlessly blend between the shades for a subtle, faded effect.

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Negative Space Double French

Double French manicure with white outline and tips — @nailthoughts / Instagram

French manicures are gorgeous for their simplistic design. If you want to make it a bit more complex while still nailing the minimalist allure, skip a solid coat of white in favor of this lightly lined, double-French-tip look.

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Reverse French

Upside down orange French nails — @carlylouisebeauty_ / Instagram

Who doesn't love being a trendsetter? Sure, the classic French mani is great, but why not reverse the look? It seems like such a simple idea, yet it's not something we've seen too often. It preserves all the elegance and simplicity of the traditional French but adds a pop of creative rebel.

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Metallic Pink Tips

Metallic pink French manicure — @nailjob / Instagram

These nails might look like a single shade of pink glimmering in the light, but if you look closely, you'll notice that each tip is a varying shade of fuchsia.

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French Stars

Simple French manicure with black stars — @celiine_nguyen / Instagram

Instead of ditching classic white French tips altogether, why not try pairing them with an extra touch of glam? Here, we have tiny star-like accents on each nail for a pretty, minimalist impact.

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Retro Blue

French manicure with metallic blue tips — @beautybyjessicaelise / Instagram

These fun metallic blue nails will leave you feeling anything other than, well, blue. The retro design paired with the light, bright blend of blues has the potential to make you feel downright cheery.

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Slim Citrus Tips

Neon green French nail design — @lipstickmixtapes / Instagram

Why line your whole nail with a French tip when you can make just as big of an impact with a fine line arched around the outer edge? One thing's for sure: With a crisp line like that, you'll have to enlist the help of a pro or keep a touch-up pen close by.

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Show What Matters

French nails with "BLK" written in chalk — @imangabrielle

Use your nails to express what's important. Whether you're celebrating your identity or standing in solidarity and support, this look will always be timeless and important.

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Tonal Tips

Manicure with green, orange, and neutral French tips — @digitzbydev / Instagram

Whether you love the tonal manicure trend or you can't make up your mind as to which sweater-weather shade to pick, this fall-friendly mani is worth adding to your inspo folder.

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Duo Digits

French manicure with rainbow split-tone tips — @vanityprojects / Instagram

It's a twofer: We're into it—especially since every edge has a different shade combination.

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Modern French

Slanted white French manicure tips — @digitzbydev / Instagram

We can't take our eyes off of this geometric rendition of the classic French manicure. While the white tip doesn't extend across the entire nail, the way it's slanted gives it a dimension that we want to copy ASAP.

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Mermaid-Approved

For all the classic French manicure lovers, check out this bejeweled (er, be-shelled) nail art idea. It's a more elegant tradeoff for the holographic pastels of typical mermaid-inspired nails.

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Splash of Color

Multicolored French manicure — @nailsbybinns / Instagram

What do you get when you cross a Crayola box with a French mani? We imagine something like this multicolored set.

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Stenciled Letters

Whether you choose your initials, the name of someone special in your life, or spell an impactful word or mantra across your digits, stenciled letters make a statement—literally. Make it easy on yourself and use adhesive decals. That way, you can have a word of the day and switch things up.

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Cheery Cherries

Pink French manicure with cherries — @nailsbyjulianna_ / Instagram

These cherry-inspired nails give us major summer vibes. The cherries are just the right size to make this mani both cute and classy without taking away from the simply sweet design.

Byrdie Tip

Achieve this fun look by opting for nail art stickers, whether you pick cherries or another cute motif. We recommend using ones from Lisa Says Gah or INKED by Dani. Seal the adorable design with a clear coat.

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Neon Tips

French manicure with neon yellow tips — @nailsxmarissa / Instagram

You didn't think we'd forget to include the neon trend, did you? These bright French tips are sure to make a lasting impression. You can even use a UV blacklight-compatible nail polish to make your look come to life and pop in the dark.

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Off-Kilter

French manicure with asymmetrical white tips — @joysedition / Instagram

This white-tipped look stays true to the classic while adding a (literal) twist. (See how it's sloped down towards one side of the nail?) We're loving the unexpected variation.

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Peachy Tips

Rounded peach French tips with black bows in the middle — @pop_polished / Instagram

Sometimes, all it takes is swapping out shades to create a fun take on a classic. This chic French tip has all the sweetness of a fresh, juicy peach. If you want to replicate the look at home, we suggest using guide stickers to get your perfect tip shape. You can also add a cute bow design for a coquette finish.

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Ruby Points

Ruby red French manicure on nude nails — @digitzbydev / Instagram

Go big or go home—or, in this case, go as paper-thin (and ruby red) as possible to make a really big splash. Before you know it, all your friends will be copying your snap-worthy nail art.

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Pastel Swirls

Negative space pastel French tip and base manicure — @nonakednails_ / Instagram

Take the classic French tip and turn it on its side, and you'll get elegant designs like these pastel swirls. They have a lovely sense of movement and strike a delicate balance between classy and hip.

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Fine Lines

French manicure with ultra-thin white tips — @betina_goldstein / Instagram

This may very well be the teeniest, tiniest French mani we've ever seen—and yet, the ultra-fine lines capture our attention in a way that a classic French never could.

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'Sesame Street' Tips

French manicure with 'Sesame Street' character tips — @ajackdannie / Instagram

Bring some fun, childhood nostalgia to your nails. You can't get much more playful than some of your favorite friends from Sesame Street adorning your tips.

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Pastel Dots

French manicure with pastel dotted tips — @beautyspace_charlotte

Cute and flirty, we love the little pastel-colored dots that adorn these nails. It's a great look for spring or when you’re craving the arrival of warmer weather at the end of winter.

Byrdie Tip

Grab a dotting tool and dip it in various nail polishes to create perfectly precise beads on the tips.

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Spring Color Burst

French manicure with pastel multicolored tips — @dolledupbyamisha / Instagram

We love the springy and fresh colors used here. This look would be adorable for a baby shower, Easter, or a spring gathering, and it's easy enough to do at home.

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Ombré Pink

One of the most popular ways to upgrade a French manicure is to blur the lines between colors. We can't lie; we totally understand why after sinking down the rabbit hole of a search query that is #frenchombrenails.

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Picnic Blanket Vibes

French manicure with colorful gingham tips — @nonakednails_ / Instagram

Remember gingham, the classic picnic blanket print? It's a great idea to use everyone’s favorite alfresco dining experience as your inspiration. Just one look at them will instantly conjure up fond memories of watermelon slices and summertime fun.

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Colorful Smiles

French manicure with multicolored tips and smiling and frowning faces — @chicaartistanails / Instagram

When you need a little reminder to smile more often, why not adorn your tips with tiny happy faces?

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Marbled Tips

French manicure with multicolored swirl tips — @freshnaildew / Instagram

We're obsessed with these marbled nails. It’s almost like the more you look at them, the more mesmerizing they become. The color combos pop, and the design manages to be alluring without being busy or gaudy.

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Spring Daisies

Multicolored French tips with daisy nail designs — @nailsxanayely / Instagram

The options are nearly endless if you pair a micro image—like these adorable daisies—with a classic French mani look. Consider butterflies, moons, ladybugs, cats, music notes, shooting stars, or fall leaves. You can customize your look based on the season or your favorite hobby.

Byrdie Tip

If you want to DIY your own design at home, use a tiny nail brush and a dotting tool to create clean lines. For those without a steady hand, opt for a nail art pen or stencils for ease.

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Golden Glitter

These regal-looking nails, which feature roses and gold stripes amidst the glitter, would make a perfect choice for a wedding, gala, or black-tie event. Of course, they're also a great look for a night in with takeout and a movie. You just can’t go wrong with a little sparkle.

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Flirty Print Tips

Mixed print French manicure — @digitzbydev / Instagram

When you're looking for novelty and variety, why not decorate each tip with a different print? This mani went straight to our inspiration board.

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Ice Cream Pastels

Pastel manicure with rainbow asymmetrical tips — @beautyspace_charlotte / Instagram

These nails give us all the lovely nostalgic vibes of a retro ice cream parlor. You can almost smell Rocky Road and vanilla bean wafting in the air, as well as the oh-so-craveable aroma of freshly baked waffle cones.

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Lime Bubbles

French manicure with lime tips and bubble texture — @digitzbydev / Instagram

Who doesn't love some nail art? There’s something eye-catching in these zesty lime bubbles. If you’re looking for a lighthearted design, little bubbles can make a cute option and will certainly put you in a good mood.

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Tie-Dye Swirls

Tie-dye is in; French manicures are in—it was only a matter of time before the two joined forces for one epic nail look. You can also switch up the color palette you use, keeping the options nearly endless.

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Pink Camo

What's more eye-catching than these bright pink camo tips? Since the nails are extra long, there's even room for a cute heart cutout if you so desire.

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Pearly Whites

White French manicure with pearly chrome nail base — @pop_polished / Instagram

While the classic French mani look will never go out of style, you can add a milky touch to the sleek design. Opt for a creamier color at the tips before adding some shimmer at the base for a pearly shine.

Byrdie Tip

Use a shimmery nail polish or dust on iridescent chrome glitter to recreate this ethereal effect.

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Colorblock Couture

Rainbow multicolored colorblock French manicure — @pop_polished / Instagram

The colorblock look lives on especially on our fingers. Not only does it make for a cheeky design hack when the nail inspo runs dry, but it's truly one of the best (and easiest) ways to spruce up a dull French manicure. Take this vibrant look as proof!

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Leave the Tip

Neutral nails with red half French tips and gold gems in the center — @nailsbyzola / Instagram

As mentioned before, the French mani doesn't always need to a full tip. Shake things up by going half way with your polish. You can also throw in a jewel of your choice to make it pop even more.

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Melted Perfection

Shimmery purple and blue French tips in a melted-inspired design — @brushedbyb_ / Instagram

This drippy design is half delectable and full-on cool. Leave the base of nail neutral and go for a bold color at the tips.

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Bedazzle Me

Black alternating French manicure with iridescent rhinestones — @brushedbyb_ / Instagram

Sometimes, what your French manicure needs isn't just a different nail polish color but some rhinestones to bring your vision to life.

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Fade to Black

Oval-shaped nails with black-and-white colorblock ombré French tip designs — @brushedbyb_ / Instagram

This is a trompe l'oeil nail design done right. The half-and-half design subtly incorporates the ombré and colorblock hacks in one. The end result, as seen, is a fun yet chic look.

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Barbie Pink

Square coffin nails with semi-sheer pink base and glittery French tips — @b.jordyn_nails / Instagram

There's always room on the moodboard for more Barbiecore nail inspo. This specific look takes the bubblegum pink look in a fresh way with its semi-sheer base and the sparkly French tips.

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47 Modern French Manicures That Put a Fresh Twist on the Classic

White Edges

Rainbow Tips

Wavy French

Glitter Tips

Purple Tips

Technicolor Tips

Negative Space Double French

Reverse French

Metallic Pink Tips

French Stars

Retro Blue

Slim Citrus Tips

Show What Matters

Tonal Tips

Duo Digits

Modern French

Mermaid-Approved

Splash of Color

Stenciled Letters

Cheery Cherries

Neon Tips

Off-Kilter

Peachy Tips

Ruby Points

Pastel Swirls

Fine Lines

'Sesame Street' Tips

Pastel Dots

Spring Color Burst

Ombré Pink

Picnic Blanket Vibes

Colorful Smiles

Marbled Tips

Spring Daisies

Golden Glitter

Flirty Print Tips

Ice Cream Pastels

Lime Bubbles

Tie-Dye Swirls

Pink Camo

Pearly Whites

Colorblock Couture

Leave the Tip

Melted Perfection

Bedazzle Me

Fade to Black

Barbie Pink

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