21 French Manicure Styles to Try Immediately

What once was a 2000s staple (remember duck nails?) is now back on the fingertips of nearly every celebrity: The french manicure. The lined look that dominated the early aughts has slowly but surely become the go-to style for beauty lovers embracing the Y2K wave, along with claw clips, mini shoulder bags, and low-rise skirts. 

French manicures, originally invented in 1975 by Jeff Pink, then-CEO of nail care brand Orly International, were supposed to be a natural-looking alternative to the popular reds of Hollywood polishes. According to Who What Wear, the french manicure was meant to decrease the amount of time needed between wardrobe changes—eventually making its way to Paris to use on models in runway shows. The nude and white combination became known as the French manicure, taking Paris by storm and eventually making its way onto the fingernails of 2000s style icons like Paris Hilton. 

Nowadays, there’s plenty of french manicure styles that deviate from the standard flesh-colored formula. Instead, people are opting for colorful and out-of-the-box french manicure designs. Graphic art, stickers, and gems, are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to wearing the mani of the moment. If sticking to the classics are more your thing, there’s countless nail art brushes and stamps to try that promise a clean, crisp, French manicure line. #NailTok—TikTok’s unofficial nail art sphere, has countless videos of pro-artists and rookies alike painting polish directly onto silicone molds and stamping a French tip outline onto their nail beds. If you’re feeling adventurous, there’s no better time than to experiment while in the summer. 

Here, some of our favorite French manicure looks to inspire your next salon appointment. Get ready to screenshot.