French tip nail designs are an absolute classic; we’ve never met a sophisticated white-tipped manicure we didn’t love.
A French tip manicure is sophisticated for summer, winter, spring or autumn, so it genuinely never goes out of style.
But the age-old version isn’t your only option when it comes to French tip nail designs. In fact, options abound! You can choose a look that only requires white and nude nail polish, or go for something a bit more colourful.
Searching for the French tip nail design of your dreams? Look no further. We’re bringing you the best of the best right here…
French tip nail designs to try
Classic French
It’s hard to go wrong with a classic French manicure! Perfectly polished and undeniably chic, it’s a staple for good reason.
Coloured French
Traditional white isn’t the only option; freshen up the French manicure by swapping in a bold bright, dreamy pastel or edgy dark hue.
Rainbow French
Another option? Refusing to pick just one colour! A French mani that highlights a different hue per nail looks both cool and classic.
Wave French
You can play with shape, too; we’re giant fans of this ‘squiggly’ style of French tip. It also showcases two shades of the same colour to dial up definition.
Glitter Flipped French
Go glitzy or go home, right? Perhaps we’re paraphrasing! But layering chunky glitter polish (and perhaps adding a ‘tip’ shape down one side) is always a good idea.
Swirl French
Dip your toe (or finger, rather) into the nail art pool by drawing swirl shapes (both over the bare remaining nail) and in the form of wavy French tips.
Coffin French
Prefer a square shape? The coffin French is for you. Take your shape down each side to create a bordered rectangular (or square depending on nail length) shape.
Pearl French
If you’re determined to take your classic French manicure up a level (without too much extra effort/artistry), try placing a single pearl per nail with a little nail glue.
Layered French
Another ‘one colour won’t do’ option? Layering. Create a rainbow effect by stacking up your shapes and shades.
Floral French
Florals for French manicures are actually genuinely groundbreaking if you ask us. Flowers drawn in a French tip shape are every bit as sophisticated, just extra pretty.
Printed French
Print options abound, too. Patterns (like this classic tortoiseshell one) will never look over the top if you restrict them to tips only.
Artistic French
It is, however, also an option to take your designs a little bit further. Layering nail art over the negative space your French leaves is very on-trend.
Diagonal French
Sometimes a flip is all you need! Keep your palette neutral (but switch to metallics for extra glam-factor), taking the tips in a diagonal direction instead.
Do you like a French manicure? Which design style is your favourite?
Main image credit: @thehangedit
So many designs! I love the rainbow and the diagonal best.
The pearl would be nice for a wedding
I love some of the designs but my nails are too uneven to showcase these. I also would not be able to achieve such even designs on each nail .Lovely for a special occasion though
Just the good old original french tip is enough for me, the elaborate one would have to be done by a professional who was good at their job.
The rainbow French is so cute!
Yes I like that one!
Me too. They are all pretty good though
I have also done the glitter French tips at home and they turned out so nice
Oowww it’s hard for me to pick a favourite because I loved so many of them. I would have to choose the coffin french I think 😍
I do much dishwashing and gardening for any of these designs.
yes that is me too. I always break a nail when I am gardening which would spoil the effect
I love the classic French so much! I had it for my wedding day and it lasted right through my two week honeymoon. Loved it so much – I should get it done again just for the joy of it. Thinking more about it now after reading through this article, I think I will get it done a few days before my daughters wedding when that comes around. I love the idea of having French nails all done and ready for a special day like that.
It always amazes me how people keep their nails looking so good and how would they ever use a key board.
My friend had gel nails and they were as hard as rock so computer was easy
they do look good. haha, I work in an office and it is annoying listening to fake nails on a keyboard.
The swirls and floral designs are becoming very popular… I see many people asking for them at the salon.
I love all of these nail designs.
No. Most look like dirty nails from afar. Those yellow pointy ones though with flowers, sooo beautiful and happy looking =D
Yes a happy colour for Spring
A lot of lovely designs. Not for me though with my uneven, short nails.
If I were to get my nails done, I would choose classic french.
Classic french for me with a rounded shape
All the designs are pretty, but I do think that the classic one is the best.
I love the floral and artistic french. Love to try one next time I re do my SNS.
Yikes, a reminder I have not cared for my nails in a while.
I like Coloured French the best. They’re all pretty though!
some pretty nails
So many wonderful French Manicured Nail Art love the Floral, Animal Print and the Black Glitter at the moment still trying to grow my nails back again so that I can try some of these Fabulous Nail Art 😍
So pretty but I wonder how long it takes to do?
Can’t go past Classic – it is my favourite
I love french nails, there was a few favorites! But i don’t think id do all of them.
Thé classic French nails are still my favourite look.
I like the plain and the rainbow designs best
Having 3D nails would be annoying I think, surely the bling would catch on your clothes etc constantly.
I don’t think you can go past a
French tip. So beautiful, simple and classic. I’m loving the wave or swirl tip as well. Thanks for these ideas!
I love my bling so I love the Glitter Flipped French but you can never go past the classic french tip.
I don’t like a classic French manicure – but some of these are pretty and subtle. Kinda like the glitter, for example.
Artistic French Lovely colour.
I think the Swirl French looks beautiful.
Ooh the diagonal french tip is my favourite and would be the easier one for me to try because it isn’t so precise
Some of these are nice
These nail designs are super pretty!
Rainbow tips are my fave! So cute! X
I like nail art, but I’m not into negative space. I prefer a fully coloured nail.
I like the classic french, but my nails are very short at the moment, not really long enough for any of these designs.