10 Colorful Nails That Put a Spin on Classic French Tips

Last updated Mar 14, 2024

You can never go wrong with a French manicure. It’s a classic design that provides a clean and crisp look. If you want to keep that classic vibe but have a little more fun, you can deviate from the traditional white polish and dip into color. “I’m obsessed with a colored or chrome French manicure,” says celebrity manicurist Brittney Boyce. “This trend has been popular for a long time and it’s definitely not going anywhere anytime soon.”

Expert Mabelyn Alva adds that it helps you put a seasonal twist on your look. “Bright pink, Kelly green, and neons are really popular at Paintbox during the summer months,” she says. “Black, metallics, and glitter french tips are also highly requested during the winter-holiday season.”

meet the expert

Brittney Boyce is a celebrity manicurist who works with clients like Machine Gun Kelly.
Mabelyn Alva is a manicurist and the creative director at Paintbox.

To inspire a colorful French manicure, scroll through the 10 looks below.

1. Chrome French

“Chrome French is definitely one of my favorite designs,” says Boyce. “I used Aprés Nail Natural Almond Long gel-x tips to get the look.”

2. Classic Red

“A vibrant red french tip is also a signature manicure for me,” says Alva.

3. Multicolor Green French

“This is a fun play on a multicolor manicure. It is a little more subtle because of the sheer nude base,” says Boyce. To create this look, she used the French Manicure Gel Rio de Janeiro Ombre Set from Aprés Nail.

4. Multicolor

This super colorful French tip look features two-toned designs featuring various shades of blue, green, orange, pink, and yellow.

5. Silver Press-On

“I love silver French tips to wear with my gold jewelry,” says Alva. “Our latest press-on launch includes Cold Spell , a silver French tip design that’s perfect for the winter/holiday season.”

6. Blue & Orange

Blue and orange—complementary colors—were used to create this French tip look. Each nail has a traditional tip and then an abstract blob.

7. Red Hearts

These heart tips are perfect for Valentine’s Day or any time you’re feeling romantic. Each nail has a pretty red heart for a simple design.

8. Black and White

This look splits each tip in half with one side black and the other side white. It’s like Cruella de Vil’s hair in nail form.

9. Orange on Orange

Instead of keeping the base sheer, you can make your French tip design more colorful by using an opaque color for the base. This look features a light orange base with a deeper orange tip.

10. Hi-Lite

Hi-Lite, a French Manicure Gel from Aprés, was used to create this electric mani. The French manicure gel is super pigmented and has medium viscosity so you get full coverage in two coats or less.