The French Manicure Is Back — Whether You Like It or Not

By Erin Lukas
Updated Aug 15, 2019 @ 2:45 pm
Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images

When I think of the French manicure, I picture my high school classmates' nude nails with thin white stripes and, on special occasions like prom, thick white acrylic tips. French tips were so popular, some girls even used Wite-Out to DIY the look. Even though French manicures were one of the biggest beauty trends of the '90s and early '00s, it was a look I just couldn't get behind. Along with flip-flops, low-rise jeans, and Razr flip phones, the French manicure eventually faded into obscurity in favor of minimalist half moon and negative space designs. Until now.  

While I've always strongly been anti-French manicure, celebs like Bella Hadid, Camila Cabello, Hailey Baldwin, and Beyoncé have made me think that I should stop trying to fight it and just give the manicure a try. Thanks to these stars, the French manicure is suddenly everywhere again and on track to become the biggest nail trend of 2019. 

RELATED: Kim Kardashian Is Making the Case for the French Manicure

A French manicure doesn't have to be classic Wite-Out white round or square tip. Celebrity nail artist Ashlie Johnson, who works with Brie Larson and Dakota Johnson, says that a soft French is a subtle alternative. "For a soft look, I like to file in more rounded or almond shapes and use muted colors," she says. "I prefer the French on shapes that elongate the hands and fingers, long or short." 

Color is also coming into play. Remember this spring's rainbow manicure trend? It works great on a French, too. Nail artist Taryn Multack, who's helped kickstart this summer's tie-dye nail trend on Instagram, recommends pairing colors in the same range, like pastels or all mid-tones. "You can follow the order of the rainbow or have the freedom to mix and match," she suggests. "I typically mirror the same color combo I do on my right hand with my left hand. The symmetry of mixed colors looks kind of like organized chaos." 

Whether or not you're team French manicure, there's no denying that it's popular again. Need more proof? Keep scrolling to see how celebrities are wearing the latest nostalgic beauty trend. 

VIDEO: Beauty Now: Gel Manicure Removal

Start Slideshow

1 of 9

Brie Larson's Soft French Tips 

ashlie_johnson/Instagram

Celebrity nail artist Ashlie Johnson gave Brie Larson a soft French manicure for the 2019 Oscars. She filed the actress' nails into an almond shape to keep it modern.  

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 9

Kim Kardashian's Square French Tips 

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

A longtime supporter of the French manicure, Kim Kardashian wore square white tips to the 2018 Met Gala. 

3 of 9

Rainbow French Tips 

missladyfinger/Instagram

French manicures aren't limited to white tips. Rainbow versions are popular on Instagram thanks to nail artists like Taryn Multack. Like the rainbow manicure trend, use a different color on each finger, working in the same spectrum on each hand. 

Advertisement

4 of 9

Bella Hadid's '90s Throwback Manicure 

bellahadid/Instagram

The supermodel's vacation manicure is the ultimate '90s throwback. Her classic French manicure was created by celebrity nail artist Mei Kawajiri. 

5 of 9

Gigi Hadid's Daisy French Manicure 

nailsbymei/Instagram

Hadid's nail artist Mei Kawajiri took the model's French manicure to the next level by adding accent daisies to her thumb and middle finger.

6 of 9

Camila Cabello's Almond-Shaped French Tips 

Gregg DeGuire/Getty Images

The singer took her almond-shaped French manicure to the red carpet. 

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 9

Hailey Baldwin's Slime Green French Dip Nails 

haileybieber/Instagram

Baldwin showed off her slime green tips on Instagram. Using bold colors instead of white has been dubbed "French dip nails" in salons. 

8 of 9

Bella Hadid's Classic French Manicure

Angela Weiss/Getty Images

The model has been having fun with her French manicures, but she's also a fan of a classic look, too. Her nail artist Mei Kawajiri gave her white tips filed in a round shape for the 2019 CFDA Awards. 

9 of 9

Beyoncé's White French Tips 

beyonce/Instagram

Still not completely sold on the French manicure? Let Beyoncé convince you to revisit the white tips of your youth with her Instagram post. While her color coordination is impressive, it's her French manicure that's getting even more attention in the comments. 

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Up Next

By Erin Lukas