The Classic French Manicure Is Back, But Not Exactly How You Remember It

This freshened-up take is a far cry from those long squared tips.

We’ve come to expect the resurgence of trends that we recognize from decades past, and you can’t beat the pang of nostalgia we feel every time. Often, we wonder why some trends went out of style, whether the banana clips of the 1980s that cinch hair so flatteringly or the velcro rollers of our mothers’ eras that give a volume boost that can’t be opposed. Now, we shouldn’t be surprised that this year we’re seeing even more 2000s-inspired trends come back, and our favorite is being seen at the nail salon.

Anyone who remembers the biggest beauty trends of the early 2000s will certainly recall the most popular nail look. It could be done elegantly, or slightly less so. It could be thickly painted on or thinly swept. It could be long or short. And, it can definitely stir up mixed feelings. That’s right, we’re talking about the French manicure.

The French manicure is a classic for a reason. It’s a simple neutral that can go with anything and offers a clean look for all occasions, formal or not. Many might reminisce on the good memories of French manicures and the elegance it gave to some who wore them. You might be picturing stylish mother, Elizabeth James, in the 1988 movie Parent Trap who sported a subtle French manicure. Others, however, might be sadly taken back to lesser-beloved versions of the French manicure that led to it being dubbed “dated.” Imagine thickly painted, bright-white, squared tips on top of a candy-pink base coat.

Don’t worry: The modern French manicure of 2023 veers decidedly on the former side for the perfect elevated neutral, favoring just a thinly brushed white tip over a nude-pink base, often over shorter or natural nails filed in a soft oval or squoval shape. It’s about being subtle and barely-there, instead of thick, white, squared, and in-your-face. However, there is still room for fun interpretations, such as using colors instead of creamy white for the French tip design, or adding to the classic version with extra embellishment like nail art on the base. There are many ways to make it feel modern and fresh. 

The best part? It doesn’t matter if you prefer your nails long or short, or if you have an event coming up. French manicures work for all.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a French manicure?

A French manicure is typically designed with a neutral base color and white accent color that is applied in a half-moon shape on the tip of each fingernail or nail extension.

What is the history of the French manicure?

The term “French manicure” is often credited to Jeff Pink, founder and CEO of nail company Orly International, who coined the term in the late 1970s after he created the look on movie sets to eliminate the time needed to switch out nail colors between shoots.

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