French tip nail designs have come a long way since their inception in the 70s. Created in 1976 by Jeff Pink, founder of nail brand ORLY, the French manicure started out as a simple yet chic combo of a bright pink shade on the nail base with a white cap at the tip. In modern times, the design has taken on many lives of its own: bolder designs (think ombré tips, jeweled accents, and shiny chrome finishes, and using every color your heart desires), making the French mani one of the most fun nail looks you could wear.
“It’s incredibly versatile, universally flattering, and never goes out of style,” celebrity nail artist Kim Truong tells Vogue. “Its neutral colors complement every skin tone and outfit, and suit all nail shapes. Plus, the design is easy to refresh, so it always feels current.”
“It’s pretty much fail-proof,” adds celebrity nail artist Tom Bachik. “If you don’t know what to do with your nails, you really can’t go wrong.”
Below, Truong and Bachik (and we threw in some of our own) share their favorite ways to dress up the classic mani. From pastel texture tips to micro fruit-inspired designs, here are 30 ways to elevate your French tip nail designs.
The Classic
When in doubt, opt for the classic design. Truong says to pick a nude base that will flatter your skin tone (her go-to is Essie’s Mademoiselle while Bachik loves Après Nails Forgotten Film for a more neutral nude).
And when trying to get that perfect curve at the tip, Bachik recommends using French tip stickers that will help guide you as you paint them on. If you want something that’s a little more forgiving in the event you make a mistake, he says a gel polish dries slower than traditional formulas, and you can manipulate the shape before it sets.
