French Manicure - 20 Awesome Ideas! [How To]

Looking for a new and exciting way to wear your French manicure? Look no further!

Here are 20 of the most awesome French manicure ideas for 2023 

The original French manicure is a classic: simple, clean, and elegant. It goes with everything, suits all occasions, and won’t offend your boss or your grandparents. But if you fancy stepping out of tradition and putting a fresh spin on the style – we’ve got you covered for French manicure nail ideas, plus all the details on how to do perfect French tips at home.

What are French Tips?

The traditional French manicure features a natural flesh-toned or clear base with a solid white tip. In the 90s and 00s, thicker white tips were more popular, whereas we’re seeing the micro French (with an ultra-thin line at the tip) take over in 2023.

How to do French Tips

After preparing and priming the nail plate, use a base coat to create a solid foundation for your gel colour. We love shade 002 Delicate French for a traditional French base colour. For the tip, you can try 001 Strong White for a bright white tip, or 162 Creamy Cookie if you want to go for the more subtle Vanilla French look that TikTok is loving at the moment.

To paint the French tip, delicately trace a line along the free edge using the N02 Semilac Nail Art Brush Perfect Line

. If you make a mistake, clean up your work with a different nail art brush dipped in acetone. Finish up your mani with a top coat – simple!

Check out this post for more detailed instructions on how to do your French manicure at home!

French Manicure Nail Ideas

Autumnal French Tips

We love this autumnal inspired two-tone French tip. Created using the brand new Sunset Soirée collection, in shades 471 Garden Soirée, 470 Beach Soirée, and 002 Delicate French for the base.

Black French Tips

These black French tips add some drama to your look! These looks were created using shade 300 Perfect Black. If you’re using this shade, take advantage of the product’s inbuilt dispersion layer, and apply transfer foil on top for some easy at-home nail art.

Bonfire Red French Tips

The new 472 Bonfire Soirée shade creates a perfect warm red French tip. It’s giving cosy, autumn/winter vibes.

Brown French Tips

Hot Chocolate nails and latte nails are a top choice for autumn/winter 2023. We love how the trends have been merged in this gorgeous nail art, incorporating a classic French tip. Colours used are 075 Stylish Brown and 514 Puzzle.

Sunset Multicolour French Tips 

We’re obsessed with the graphic French tips in this design. All of these beautiful colours are from the new Sunset Soirée collection.

Glitter French Tips 

These glitter French tips go great with a glass of prosecco! These nail designs are the perfect party accessory. Shades used: 459 Evening Party and 000 Lazure Dream. You might also love 460 Silver Fireworks glitter for the french mani

Hot Pink French Tips

We love how delicate this pink micro French looks. Paired with some Skin Nude shades as the base, these tick the box for totally wearable bright pink nails. Pink shade used is 425 Dopamine Rose.

Neon Green French Tips

These highlighter-inspired matte French tips make a statement! Created using shade 440 Neon Lime.

Pastel French Tips

These muti-tonal pastel French tips are so subtle and delicate. It’s a super wearable take on colourful French tips. Recreate the look with shades 387 Mint Refresh and 384 Lavender Flowers

Yellow French Tips

We love these Easter inspired yellow French tips, created using shade 589 Yellow Petunia.

Asymmetric French Tips 

Play around with the traditional French tip shape, and try these asymmetric French tips! If you struggle painting French tips at home, this style might be easier to achieve for people who are new to DIY nail art. Created using 449 Captain’s Blue and 000 Azure Dream.

Shimmer French Tips

These ultra-glam nails feature traditional white tips and a shimmer base in shade 236 Peach Pearl.

Light Blue French tips

We love the look of layering a colourful French tip alongside a line of glitter. This look was created using shades 000 Lazure Dream and 459 Evening Party. See the above nail style for the glitter french ;) 

Tonal French Tips With Cuticle Detail 

The square French tips in this design are the perfect way to offset the soft curves in the nail art. All shades are from the new Sunset Soirée collection.

Glow in the Dark French 

These fierce pink French tips come with a spooky surprise, and are a great option if you want to celebrate Halloween without going OTT on nail art. Shade used: 442 Trick or Pink.

Ombre French Tips

If you’re no good with a brush, this ombre French tip design might be the one for you! The nail art sponge creates a seamlessly blended design with minimal effort. The featured colour is shade 445 Tropical Flamingo.

Rainbow French Tips 

These neon rainbow coloured French tips look so happy! Wear them for summer holidays, or whenever you need an extra sprinkle of joy on your fingertips. Shades used: 445, 446, 447, 448, and 449.

Matte French Tips 

If you love the look of classic white French tips but want to change up your look – try adding a matte top coat!

Neutral Multicolour French Tips 

Can’t decide on one colour? Multicolour French tips can still be sophisticated! We love this subtle, earth tone inspired French. Shades used: 540, 058, 123, 221, and 816.

Orange French

This vibrant orange shade is the perfect late-summer colour. Get the look at home with shade 446 YOLO Orange.

All of the gorgeous colours displayed in this article are available here!