7 Gorgeous French Nail Designs for 2021 (2024)

If you told us five years ago we’d be obsessed with French manicures all over again, we wouldn’t believe you. After all, the ‘90s and early-aughts nail design staple was cast aside years ago for more effortless-looking nails, minimalist graphic designs, and even bare tips. And yet, 20 years later, somehow it feels like the French mani embodies the best of all three. That’s why we’re officially deeming it worthy of an entire IPSY roundup. Read on for all the coolest new twists on the classic French manicure.

List of french nail designs with images

1. The Curvy French

It doesn’t get any chicer than this play on the French mani’s organic shape. To DIY, dip a thin nail brush, like KIESQUE Liquid Palisade French, into white polish. Paint different swirly shapes on the tips, sides, and bases of each nail, switching up the length and width as you go.

2. The Ombre French

A French that looks like your bare nails, but better. Start by painting on a few coats of sheer, light pink polish and let dry completely. Paint the corner of a basic rectangular makeup sponge (such as ) with white polish, then dab it on the top three-fourths of each nail. Let dry, then repeat on just the top half of your nail—so the part below it looks slightly sheerer. Let dry a final time and repeat on the top third of your nail.

3. The Multicolored French

Who says your French mani has to have the same colors on every finger? Mix up just the tips instead. Paint on two coats of light pink polish and let dry. While you wait, set aside five polishes in the same color family, and arrange them from lightest to darkest. Use a thin nail striper to apply the lightest shade on the tip of your pinky nail, the second lightest shade on your ring finger tip, and so on until you paint the darkest color on the free edge of your thumbnail.

4. The Flame French

Getting a mani this fire only looks hard. Create a traditional French manicure, using white on the fingertips of one hand and black on the other hand. (Try KINX White Collar and Black Tux.) Use a thin nail brush to outline flame shapes downward toward your nail beds, then fill in. Experiment with a range of shapes and lengths for each flame.

5. The Rainbow French

If you can’t pick a nail color, just use them all! Start with a nude shade as a base and let dry. Use a thin nail striper to paint a thin, light red line on the tip of each finger. Let dry and repeat with orange, yellow, blue, and purple. Don’t forget to let each shade dry completely, and clean your brush with nail polish remover thoroughly between colors to prevent them from bleeding into each other. (We love NAILS INC Nail Polish Rapid Remover Pot.)

6. The Geometric French

There’s no rulebook when it comes to French manis—so why even stick to the traditional curved tip? Try an elongated rectangle tip instead. After you apply your base coat, use a nail brush to outline a rectangle on each finger, the tip being one of the shorter sides. Then it’s as simple as filling in the shape.

7. The Foil French

We’re smitten with this metallic French. After you apply a sheer base and let it dry, paint your tips with a glittery polish in your favorite color. You may have to dab the brush on the tips rather than swipe to deposit maximum pigment. Seal with a top coat, like , to keep the glitter particles in place.

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