Skip to content
  • Essence GU
  • Beautycon
  • NaturallyCurly
  • Afropunk
  • Essence Studios
  • Soko Mrkt
  • Ese Funds
  • Refinery29
  • WeLoveUs.shop
  • 2026 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
  • Celebrity
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Entrepreneurship
  • News
  • Shopping
  • Video
  • Events
  • Subscribe
Home β€’ Beauty

20 French Manicure Designs For Every Nail Shape And Length

The old school nail look has made a major comeback β€” with an updated twist.
20 French Manicure Designs For Every Nail Shape And Length
Instagram/Sparkle Nail Bar
By Blake Newby · Updated April 27, 2021
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready…

10 years ago, the idea of wearing a French manicure would have been considered beauty blasphemy. The staple look of the late ’80s and early ’90s had become β€” according to many β€” outdated and out of style, being replaced with seemingly more modern nail designs. But nowadays when it comes to beauty, everything old is new again, and that’s particularly the case for the French manicure designs which have made a victorious return in the most updated ways.

We’re no longer talking those razor-sharp square shapes with deep white arches. Nope, instead it’s bright colors, new shape and line variations, alternating styles, and incorporating with other designs. No matter your taste β€” whether its marked by an inclination for drama, or you prefer your manicures more demure β€” the look, unlike times past, really has something for everyone.

But we can show you better than we can tell you. So ahead, see 20 French manicure styles that are versatile, fun, classy, and overall just great to look at.

Everything Tips

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by πŸ’•Tiny πŸ’•πŸ’– (@tiny.luxury)

Multi-Colored Half-Moons

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Chaun Legend (@chaunlegend)

Monochromatic Shifts

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Chaun Legend (@chaunlegend)

Neon Rims

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Nail Educator Pro Nail Artist (@__luxk)

Checkered Nudes

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by PEAR NOVA (@pearnova)

Dual-Length’d Hearts

https://www.instagram.com/p/CKDLkOOFtbt/

Triangle Time

https://www.instagram.com/p/CNu3rozBXko/

Three-Dimensional Textures

https://www.instagram.com/p/CN5xFUFBC1C/

Zebra Tips

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Iman Gabrielle (@imangabrielle)

Rainbow Gradients

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Nail Professional (@sparklenail_bar)

Lipstick Lines

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Misleidys Mora (@msladiiz)

Matte Splits

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Chaun Legend (@chaunlegend)

Classic Stilettos

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gina Edwards (@ginaedwards_)

Neon Jewels

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Vanity Projects Miami (@vanityprojectsmia)

Blurred Lines

https://www.instagram.com/p/CN5hlK4ly7e/

Rhinestone Crazy

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gina Edwards (@ginaedwards_)

Tortoise Strikethroughs

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by π”Ήπ•†π•Šπ•Šπ• β„‚π•ƒπ”Έπ•Žπ•Š (@bossyclaws_)

Third Eyes

https://www.instagram.com/p/CNdv0vSg7qL/

Jade Finishes

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sarah Nguyen (@chrmdbysarah)

Geometric Almonds

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Vanity Projects Miami (@vanityprojectsmia)