How the French Manicure Made Its Comeback

A new kind of nail with a checkered history has emerged this summer. The new-gen French manicure, now with options like multicolored and animal print tips, is seemingly everywhere.

For her 26th birthday, Gigi Hadid wore a rainbow of French tips by the celebrity nail artist Mei Kawajiri. Kylie Jenner has often worn some version of a French mani with super-long nails and next-level designs, including Pucci-inspired stripes. Lizzo has been showing off a French pedicure. Carey Mulligan, Hailey Bieber, Kourtney Kardashian and Selena Gomez have all worn the style in the last few months.

“We have seen more requests in our salon for French tip-style manicures and even some pedicures too,” said Nadine Abramcyk, the founder of the Tenoverten nail salon. “It’s always been a classic look with the super-white tip, but people are now making it their own. A classic red tip with a neutral, almost sheer, base is a style we’ve seen often this year, paired with a more almond-shaped nail.

So popular is the French tip in 2021 that the New York Chillhouse salon created its own modification of the style, which can be painted on by a manicurist or purchased as Chill Tips, the salon’s version of a press-on set.

The Going to the Barre set has proved particularly popular, said Cyndi Ramirez-Fulton, the Chillhouse founder. “It’s a sheer soft pink — think ballerina vibes — with a slightly slanted, wavy tip,” she said. “It’s so simple and elevated, yet has an edge.”