In Defense of the French Manicure (2024)

FAQs

Is French manicure in style in 2024? ›

The classic French manicure is making a major comeback in 2024 — but with a twist.

Whether done professionally at a salon or achieved at home, the French manicure remains a symbol of elegance and refinement in the world of nail art.

Nail polish may be worn, but colors shall be conservative and inconspicuous. White, black, red, yellow, orange, green, purple, grey, glitter, striped or any sort of pattern/decorative nail polish is not authorized. French and American manicures (white and off- white tips with neutral base color only) are authorized.

In fact, everyone seems to be rocking this '90s classic — and for good reason. "The thing that makes the French manicure such a classic and timeless design is the clean and crisp look of the line," says celebrity manicurist and educator Mimi D. "Something about that French line makes nails look so perfect."

The Prettiest Nail Polish Colors For Spring 2024. Soft peach, bold yellow, and fiery red are all in store. Spring breathes new life into everything from the greenery you see outside to beauty trends.

A sheer pink polish or a builder gel will achieve the most natural French manicured nails. Your skin tone should be the main focus when choosing a base shade; for example, rose-based shades are great for fair/light skin, whilst a deeper nude colour is better for dark skin.

Though the French nail art design is suitable for all nail shapes, it looks best on short- square and mid-length almond nail shapes.

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.

French Manicure

Those with french manicures tend to prefer classic fashions more than trendy ones and have more reserved personalities than those with bolder nails (such as stiletto nails).

What is the difference between a French manicure and an American manicure? ›

A French manicure usually keeps the base clear or pink with a bright and stark white tip. An American manicure uses a glossy nude for the base — like your nails but better. What's more, the tip is created with a more translucent off-white, which is closer to the natural nail look.

The American manicure takes the classic look of the French with its white tip, and pares it back even more. Think: a peachy, nude base that mimics the color of your natural nail. The distinguishing factor is the tip. Instead of a harsh white line, the tip is blended naturally into the nude base of the nail.

The French Tip revival we've seen over the last few years has a stronghold on the nail community, and it's going nowhere in 2024. “French tips are always classic manicure style,” Romah says. “Right now we're loving a very deep, curved-around-French design with a minimalist, timelessly chic finish.”

Put a milky twist on the classic French manicure by replacing the traditional white tip with a milky white shade. Use a slightly opaque or sheer milky white polish to create a soft and elegant French tip. This combination maintains the sophistication of the French manicure while incorporating the milky nail trend.

The Russian nail method is a dry process of filing, cutting, and removing the cuticle with electric drill bits entirely for a clean look and feel. The Russian manicure can prevent the dry cracking of cuticles or hangnails, thus extending the longevity of the manicure.

Think sunny yellows, sea foam greens, and sunset oranges and channel those warm-weather vibes. One great summer nail trend is 'Skittle Nails' - painting each nail a different, complementary shade or cute nail colour. Red is a timeless shade that will defy fleeting fashion trends and social media algorithms.

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.

We've been seeing tons of rainbow chromes and pastel chromes, too. In its 2024 beauty report, Beauty Pie spotlit lavender chrome nails as the one to watch, which works perfectly for spring. Elsewhere, sheer textures in cute colours will become a whole movement.