10 New Ways to Wear a French Manicure

This look, worn by ELLE.com's own beauty guru Julie Schott, is an subtle way to update the french manicure. After your white tips are dry, underline it was a stripe of nude and finish it off with a clear topcoat.

@naominailsnyc

An easy addition to the french tip are with decals. After creating the traditional look, layer a thin coat of clear top coat. While tacky, gingerly set your design and press down. Finish with a topcoat to secure.

Design by nataliepavloskinails

Focus on this manicure's ring finger. The white tip is lined in black for a graphic, Mondrian-esque design.

Design by @nail_unistella

Take the oil spill nail trend to another level by applying the foil just at your tips, leaving the rest of your nail bare.

Design by @paintbox

For this checkerboard nail, start with a classic french tip. Once dry, apply black boxes to create the design and finish with a clear topcoat.

Design by @mpnails

This nail artist combined a mint french tip with an ombre fade. No matter what colors you choose, always start with your lightest shade first and give yourself ample time for each coat to dry.

Design by @palemoonseattle

This minimal nail updates the french tip with the simple additional of a corresponding middle line. For that section, mimic the curve of your tip to get the cleanest look.

Design by @aliciatnails

For a quirkier french tip, freehand your design allover like this mash up of grapefruits, watermelons, and '80s motifs.

Design by @nailsbymii for @vanityprojects

Apply the concept of french manicure—white tips with a nude base—to the ongoing ombre trend. For best results, apply the two polishes on a makeup sponge and continuously dab onto the nail. Finish with a topcoat.

Design by @sohotrightnail

Bust out a thin brush to paint micro details to the base of your nail for a playful design. This back-to-school manicure by nail artist Kro Vargas features a yellow bus, a pencil, and a teeny tiny chalkboard.

Design by @krocaine