As much as we love classic French manicures, lately, we’ve been drawn toward other imaginative designs for the tips of the nails that are equally as beautiful—if not more so. Some elevated nail tip designs take on a double French silhouette or a dual-finish approach, while others showcase color-blocked nail art, outlined tips, emoji inspiration, and more.
The point is, no matter what your manicure aesthetic preference is, there’s a nail-tip design idea just waiting to be discovered. To show you some of the many ways you can switch up your go-to French manicure, ahead, you’ll find 19 nail-tip design ideas currently making rounds on Instagram.
Mermaid Nail Tips
Whether you love mermaid lore or have an eye for Art Deco designs, these intricate shell-inspired nail tips are worth ogling over. Nail artist Brittney Ellen created this manicure using Lights Lacquer Nail Polish ($11) in the shades Are Mermaids Not Sweet and Message in a Bottle, topped off with the Beyond the Sea Charms ($8). To make the application process easier on yourself, consider buying the Lights Lacquer Beyond the Sea Charms + Wax Pen Duo ($18), which includes a sticky wax pen that will help you pick up and place the charms easily.
Tortoiseshell Tips
One of the most popular neutral prints is tortoiseshell. When employed in a decorated French manicure, the print offers ultra-chic, minimalist allure.
Outlined Jelly French Tips
Transform traditional French tips by replacing the classic white with multicolored jellies, then outline said jellies in a bright white border for a high-contrast appeal.
Matte French Tip Swirls
This multicolor swirl manicure is a fun take on nail tip designs, with each nail showcasing the same colors at the tip but in different swirl and wave patterns. The matte top coat ties it all together.
Double Black and White French Tips
At first, this black and milky white nail tip design made us think of double French manicures. But the inversion on the pointer finger is giving artsy Yayoi Kusama or groovy lava lamp vibes—all while sticking to a classic color combo. For this look, Ellen used Lights Lacquer Nail Polish ($11) in the shades Tuxedo Mask and Clueless.
French Tip Metallic Drip Nails
For an artsy, eye-catching nail tip design, start with a metallic color combo, then apply it in an unexpected drip-like fashion. Add a black outline to make it really stand out against your natural nail.
Purple Velvet Celestial French Tips
How stunning is this shade-shifting velvet stiletto manicure? The classic French manicure is elevated with a bold shape and light-reflecting gold charms that take the design to a whole new level.
Silver Polka Dot Almond French Tips
Another way to switch up your classic French manicure is by adding gemstones. Here, simple silver French tips are paired with clear gemstones to create a shimmering polka-dot appearance. To DIY this look at home, you’ll need Cirque Colors Nail Polish ($13) in the shade Sterling. Then, to glam it up, use the Cirque Colors Razzle Dazzle Rhinestones ($10).
Two-Tone French Tips
Color lovers will enjoy this two-toned Skittle approach to a French manicure silhouette. When creating your two-toned nail design, simply choose your side-by-side colors, then prep your nails with a neutral base. After it dries, use nail guides to section off your tips (the Orly Half Moon Guides, $7, are a popular pick), and, using an ultra-thin nail art brush, carefully paint on each color. Don’t forget the top coat.
Colorblock French Tips
Prefer to cover your nails in full coats of color? Taking a color block approach beneath a classic French tip shape is a fun way to transform the classic look.
Mismatched Emoji Nails
Ellen is the queen of creating fun, colorful nail designs, and this reimagined French manicure proves it. Complete with a mushroom tip, wavy check tip, and double French lime tip, this mismatched mani has so much to offer.
Black and White Mismatched French Tips
Black and white doesn’t have to be a boring color combo. When used in a unique nail-tip design idea, it can create a stark contrast that offers a bold statement to any outfit. We especially love the silver star, circle, and rhinestone gems here.
Abstract High-Contrast Ripple Nails
This black and white wavy nail tip design is made that much better with pops of sage, turquoise, and peach. Since it’s not a super neatly painted design, it’d likely be easy to DIY.
Toasted Marshmallow French Tips
This matte French manicure makes us feel warm and cozy with its toasted marshmallow aesthetic. To recreate the look, start with an ombré base, layer it with a crisp white tip, and finish with a matte top coat.
Pink and Purple French Tips
@HEYGREATNAILS / INSTAGRAM
The outlined French manicure trend can be done in every color of the rainbow, and no matter which combo you choose, the results will be show-stopping. Case in point: This pale pink and purple glitter combo. Fun fact: This look was created with eyeshadow.
Mismatched Animal Print French Tips
Animal print is very on-trend, but if you can’t choose one animal to feature, go with all your favorites for a wild nail-tip design idea.
Iridescent Skittle French Tips
Sometimes, elevating a nail-tip design idea is as simple as opting for iridescent polish and coordinating cuticle gemstones. To recreate this look, you’ll need the Cirque Colors Surfer’s Crush Collection ($99), which includes six polishes, colorful gems, and an assortment of dried flower nail accents.
Silver Chrome Flame French Tips
We’re crazy for chrome, so these 3D silver flame tips are right up our alley. While silver flames are pretty easy to paint on, achieving the 3D texture will require using a builder gel base or enlisting the help of a pro to do so for you.
Art Canvas French Tips
Every manicure makes nails the artist’s canvas, but this colorful stiletto French mani takes it to a whole new level. The various colors and shapes make this a particularly artistic nail-tip design idea.
