What Are French Tip Nails? A Quick Guide to the Classic French Manicure

French tip nails (often called a “French manicure”) are a nail style where the tip of the nail is a different color than the base. Traditionally, the base is a sheer pink or nude, and the tip is crisp white—creating that clean, polished look people associate with classic salon nails.

Today, “French tips” also includes color tips (black, pink, red, blue), thinner micro tips, modern shapes (almond, coffin), and finishes like chrome or glitter.

The 3 parts of a French tip

When you’re choosing a French tip look, think in three parts:

1. Base shade: sheer pink, nude, milky nude, or clear
2. Tip color: white (classic) or any color
3. Tip thickness: micro/thin/medium/bold

That’s why the same “French tip” can look minimalist on one person and bold on another.

Why French tips are so popular

French tips stay popular because they:

• Look clean and “finished” without being loud
• Match most outfits and occasions
• Grow out more subtly than full-color nails
• Work at many lengths (including short nails)

If you want a safe, timeless baseline, start with white French tip nails.

Modern French tip variations (easy to copy)

Here are popular updates that still count as French tips:

• Micro French: ultra-thin line at the edge (great for short French tip nails)
• Color French: swap white for a color like black, pink, or blue
• V-French: a sharp V shape that makes nails look longer
• Side-French: angled tips for a slimmer look
• French + finish: chrome, glaze, matte, or glitter effects

If you want shine, see chrome French tip nails. If you want sparkle, see glitter French tip nails.

Best shapes for French tip nails

French tips can work on almost any shape, but the “feel” changes a lot:

• Square/squoval: classic and graphic (see square French tip nails)
• Almond: soft and elongating (see almond French tip nails)
• Coffin: trendy and bold (see coffin French tip nails)

If you’re unsure, start with squoval or medium almond—those are the most versatile.

Gel vs acrylic: do French tips require extensions?

No—French tips can be done on:

• Natural nails with regular polish (least durable)
• Gel polish (popular, glossy, 2–3 weeks)
• Acrylic or gel extensions (best for length and reshaping)

If you’re deciding, compare French tip gel nails vs French tip acrylic nails.

A simple way to choose your first French tip look

If you don’t know where to start, choose:

1. A neutral base (sheer pink or nude)
2. A thin tip
3. A practical length (short/medium)

Then decide whether you want classic white or a color tip.

Next step: preview a style

French tips are all about proportion—your nail bed length, tip thickness, and shape matter. Browse the category list to pick a target keyword/style, then head to the try-on page when the tool is live.