Ah, the French manicure. It’s classic, it’s delicious, it’s timeless. Traditionally consisting of a light pink or nude base and a defined white tip, the style has remained a staple for any look from office chic to wedding day glam.
“The French manicure has become almost as classic as red,” says celebrity nail stylist Elle Gerstein. Having worked with stars like J. Lo and Blake Lively, Gerstein has been doing nails for 36 years now. She says that back then “the French really came in with what they would call pink and white acrylic. It’s fun to see how the French manicure has evolved over all these years.”
As with any good fashion trend, it adjusts and updates itself over time. “There are so many ways to change the look by playing with colors, textures, creating a micro French or thick French tip,” says nail stylist Rachel Joseph. “It also looks great on any nail length or shape.”
With the promise of a crisp, cool fall just around the corner, there’s no better time to switch up your nail routine. See below for some of InStyle’s favorite french nail looks for fall.
Disco Disco
@danaturenails
These French tips use three different shades of polish and recall the disco nostalgia we all crave these days. This look can be created with any color combination to keep it fresh again and again.
Peak Pastel
@mabelyn__
“This design is perfect when you want something minimal but also want to play with colors. I also love how this looks in black and white,” says Paintbox creative director Mabelyn Alva.
Clinging to spring
@danaturenails
For those looking to enjoy the blooms of spring and summer, replacing the French tip with a small flower is the perfect way to keep the warm weather close to your heart—and hands, even as the leaves begin to turn.
Golden hour
@nails_by__bridgett
Adding gold flakes to your tips can give your subtle manicure a shiny edge. We love how they look against this smoky amber ombré.
Orange October
@mabelyn__
“I love how this deconstructed French pops with the matte finish,” says Alva. The bright orange shades are the perfect way to welcome October.
One PSL please!
@poliretbymckenna
For those who can’t wait for a cozy sweater and Halloween decor, this look is for you. Brilliant pumpkin nails, for the pumpkin spice lover in all of us.
Barbie all year round
@rachelsuenails
“So this client and I are just absolutely obsessed with pink, and no matter what the season is, you can guarantee she’s going to have a pink nail,” says Joseph. “For this look, we went for a holiday vibe, which is why we went for glitter with a flash effect – it amps up the glitter when there’s flash on it, making it super sparkly.”
Gentle watercolor
@emalje
For those looking for red carpet-ready style, look no further than Gerstein’s watercolor florals. These nails were done for actress Blake Lively as part of her “It Ends With Us” press tour. Gerstein says this look was meant to be dazzling yet subtle. “We kept it on point to keep everything neutral and not compete with her look.”
Keep-it-Chill Chrome
@rachelsuenails
“My client was obsessed with metallic chrome nails, but she’s also super subtle. So we decided on a bare nail that creates a swirl/french look at the tip,” says Joseph.
Earth-Tone Inspiration
@mabelyn__
“I remember making these during lockdown, trying to find inspiration in the objects around me,” says Alva. “That mug brought me joy during that time (as well as banana bread). I love this color combo for fall.”
I’m taking the whole palette!
@nails_and_beauty_by_daisy
For those who can’t decide on a color, use a fun mix. A rich chocolate brown, rust red, warm cream and shimmering gold make the perfect fall mix.
Glitter Gel Pen Nails
@mabelyn__
Reminiscent of the glitter gel pens we all miss from childhood, these sparkly French tips are sure to turn heads. “You can recreate this look by using a glitter polish,” says Alva, “brush thin layers from the tip of your nail to the middle and build it up with each layer, focusing on the tips. Use the brush from the bottle for easier application.”
Vroom Vroom
@thehangedit
These sunny hues combined with a fun fiery pattern make for a French look that’s anything but ordinary.
So cute, we can’t stand it
@nails_and_beauty_by_daisy
A big autumn camping trip coming up? Pay tribute to our forest friends with a cute animal friend under the French tip. A pro tip: These will be the only bears you want at your campsite.
Scallop Fringe
@thehangedit
For the preppy girl in all of us, these scallop fringes put a fun but delicate spin on the French classic.
Glaze for Days
@gossipandgloss
Glazed nails are everywhere these days and we’re not complaining. Add a glazed polished base to add some extra shine to your French manicure, like this look.
Pearly elegance
@thehangedit
As Jackie Kennedy once said, “Pearls are always appropriate.” This wisdom extends to nails too – try adding some to your classic French for a fun 3D spin.
The duet
@gossipandgloss
Who is the star of the show? The sparkly tips and the moon or the metallic base? We say both.
Cheetah Print Party
@nails_by__bridgett
The great thing about French manicures is that anything can be placed in the top slot – try an animal pattern for a dynamic style that says “I’ve got great nails, hear me roar.”
Caught on the web
@nails_by__bridgett
Who says cobwebs have to be dusty? These shiny nails are the perfect mix of Halloween fun and glittery glam.
All eyes on me
@thehangedit
Give the base of your nails some love with a French tip and an eye-opening design on your half moons.
The friendly ghosts
@nails_by__bridgett
These cute Halloween nails use the French tip space to paint a fall scene complete with bats and ghosts.
Permanent jewelry
@mabelyn__
“It’s hard to pick favorites, but this craze is high on my list,” says Alva. “The sheer milky base still showed some of my nail tips creating a very subtle French, and the addition of metallic foil to be on the crescent made it look like jewelry on my hands.”
Bejeweled crescents
fleury rose seal
Ok, so it’s not a French tip – but we’re obsessed with these bejeweled, crescent designs. Think of it as reverse French.
There’s no place like Chrome
@klawsbysonia
Sometimes just the lines are enough. These delicate chrome tips are gentle while still making a glam statement.
Crocodile
@klawsbysonia
Animal print doesn’t just mean cheetah, snake or zebra. A cute crocodile print makes for a French manicure that will stand out for its scaly style.
Advanced French
@mabelyn__
“This design is the perfect way to elevate your French mani,” says Alva. “It looks great on short and long nails.”
Mix and Match
@rachelsuenails
“This look is so fun and girly with mix match nails and is proof that short nails can have fun too,” says Joseph.
A damn good look
@nails_and_beauty_by_daisy
If you can’t wait for Halloween, then these blood-curdling tips might be for you. Although you can’t start decorating your house so early – there are no rules for your nails.
SCREAM!
@fleuryrosenails
These detailed nails pay homage to the iconic Halloween classic Scream. It’s a look that will have everyone asking you: What’s your favorite scary movie?
Getaway car
@nails_and_beauty_by_daisy
While we don’t know when Taylor Swift will announce Reputation (Taylor’s Version), we do know that with this snake-inspired look, we’ll be ready when the time comes.
It’s not just a moon phase, mom!
@rachelsuenails
“This look is one of my all-time favorites,” says Joseph. “My client wanted a French manicure, but she also just wanted lots of color, so we decided to do a colored French and add a contrasting color, which is the thin line that creates the moon look.”
Neon nail tips
@klawsbysonia
When you want French nails but still want to make a statement, a neon shade is the perfect answer. The crisp lines of this manicure make it a real show-stopper.
Original almond
@klawsbysonia
Sometimes a classic is a classic for a reason. These white french tips are beautiful when paired with almond shaped nails.
Ombre nails
@gossipandgloss
Defined French tip lines are just a construct. Break free with an ombré look that gently falls down the nail.
The Milky Way
@nails_by__bridgett
Make your French mani extra bright with a milky white base. It’s a sweet, misty version of the classic design.
Minnie’s favorite
@rachelsuenails
For those with big Thanksgiving holiday plans, look no further than this style from Joseph. Lean into your inner theme park aficionado with these super cute Disney-inspired French tips.
Tortoise shell tips
@lolo.nailedit
Swap your regular base for a cute turtle look for this dynamic look.
Autumn inspiration
@jess_nails_it
If nails are a canvas, then we love this piece of art. The matte colors combined with autumn colors make for a bucket list design as 2024 draws to a close.
Fruit salad
@rachelsuenails
Hold on to the hot summer days a little longer with a sweet fruit-themed mani. “Cherry Lemonade nail inspo simply came from not being able to decide on a fruit, so we did both,” says Rachel.