Bored of Your Regular French Manicure? Try V-Tip Nails (2024)

The French manicure has cemented its place in the pantheon of iconic nail looks. But even the classics need to be updated once in a while — you know, just to keep things fun and interesting. So if you’re looking for ways to spice it up, try a V-tip.

Aptly named, the V-tip is a simple twist on the classic ‘90s mani where the colored top of the nail is shaped into, you guessed it, a “V” instead of a curved crescent moon. “The V-tip gives [the French mani] an edgier vibe,” celebrity nail artist Queenie Nguyen tells InStyle.

Achieving this look is pretty simple. Los Angeles-based nail artist Hang Nguyen says all you need is your color of choice and a flat brush. First, you’ll take the polish and use the brush from the bottle to slowly paint on a diagonal line on the nail. Starting at the middle part at the top of the nail, draw that line diagonally towards the center of the outer edge. Repeat on the other side to get that V-shape. She then says to use a flat brush dipped in polish remover to clean it up. Et voila — you’ve got your V-tip.

She also says you can use a foundation sponge or silicone stamper to stamp on both sides to get your V-shape. Queenie adds that you can also use a stencil to trace out the perfect lines to get your V-tip with little margin of error.

But the best part? Just like the French mani, the V-tip can be done in any color combo you choose. Neon, pastel, metallic — mix and match all you want with this super fun nail look. So if this has piqued your interest, you’ve come to the right place.

Below are 12 V-tip nail looks for you to post on your beauty mood boards. Scroll through to find the best one for you.

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Blinged Out

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Especially for the holidays, Queenie is a fan of adding tiny little rhinestones along the V-tips to make your nails really stand out.

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Tonal Colors

Hang likes pairing different shades from the same color family together to get that “V” shape. One of her favorite looks is this one she’s done herself thatfeatures one side light brown and the other side a darker brown for a minimal nail look.

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Classic White

Bored of Your Regular French Manicure? Try V-Tip Nails (3)

Queenie says you can’t go wrong with the classic white and sheer pink base. Draw on square-shaped nails to really make the V-shape pop.

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Bright Pastel

Bored of Your Regular French Manicure? Try V-Tip Nails (4)

Opt for pastel shades for your V-tips. Mix a combo of baby blue, yellow, and pink for something really fun.

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Rounded Vs

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A V-tip doesn’t have to be drawn with straight lines. Opt for rounded edges, like these heart-like tips.

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Metallic Shine

Bored of Your Regular French Manicure? Try V-Tip Nails (6)

Queenie also likes metallic shades when doing a V-tip nail. This metallic black with a nude base is topped off with a slight shimmer shine and adorned with a jeweled detail for a nice touch.

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Groovy Vibes

Bored of Your Regular French Manicure? Try V-Tip Nails (7)

You can’t help but smile at these mesmerizing psychedelic V-tips. Draw on your V-shape with a pastel shade and then dress them up with darker contrasting swirls for a bold nail look.

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V-Swirls

Bored of Your Regular French Manicure? Try V-Tip Nails (8)

Another iteration of rounded edges, these swirls make for a fun spin on the V-tip trend. Mix different colors together to make them more dynamic.

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Barbiecore All Over

Bored of Your Regular French Manicure? Try V-Tip Nails (9)

Adding bright pink V-tips to a deep neon acrylic nail adds dimension and elevates the ever popular Barbiecore color palette. And they’re just so pretty to look at.

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Color Blocking

Bored of Your Regular French Manicure? Try V-Tip Nails (10)

Another favorite V-tip of Queenie’s is color blocking. Pair contrasting colors together, like this vibrant purple as the base and a classic glossy black for the tip for a nail look that is guaranteed to get you compliments from anyone who sees it on you.

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Black & White Affair

Bored of Your Regular French Manicure? Try V-Tip Nails (11)

A black and white combo makes for an elegant and chic look that you can wear for all occasions. This one has a matte finish and minimal geometric shapes drawn to give the look a little something extra.

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Going Monochrome

Bored of Your Regular French Manicure? Try V-Tip Nails (12)

This nail look is just super cool. Dress up a matte black nail base with glossy black V-tips for the ultimate monochromatic mani.

Bored of Your Regular French Manicure? Try V-Tip Nails (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between a French manicure and a French tip? ›

French Manicure

Traditionally, French manicures feature a natural-colored nail with a white tip, and can be done with regular nail polish, gel nail polish, or acrylic. They look clean and classic, but can feature fun twists.

What is the V part French tip? ›

V French tip nails feature a deep V shape instead of the “smile line” at the tip. The classic nail design includes a white V but you can have some fun with bold colors and textures and all different shapes and styles. This isn't the type of nail art that only looks good on one nail style.

Are French tip nails out of style? ›

Also part of its staying power: The French mani gives uniformity to your nails that give it that polished (pun intended) look, says Mimi D. In other words, the French manicure is not going out of style — but it is evolving.

Can you do French tip with regular nails? ›

As we've already covered, you can apply a French manicure in regular or gel polish. For the classic look, sheer pink is the go-to.

What nail shape is best for French manicure? ›

A French manicure would be better on a shorter nail, as it can look quite fake on longer or squarer nails. 1. Shape - Best nail shape is oval or squoval, go for a shorter length rather than longer if the office is very formal.

What type of manicure is healthiest for your nails? ›

Overall, Dip Powder Manicures are a great way to get a healthy manicure that will protect and strengthen your nails without causing any damage. Just like any nail treatment, you do have to make sure you properly remove it to keep your nails safe and healthy – Don't pick at your manicure!

What is a French tip hack? ›

Use a Sticker Guide

Stickers are another cheat for an easy, flawless French manicure. After painting your base coat and allowing it to fully dry, place a rounded manicure sticker below the tip and make sure the edges are secure. Next, go in with your preferred tip color and paint.

What do French tips look like? ›

french tip nails are a staple nail design that has been around since the 1930s. consisting of a sheer pink base color and a white tip, this nail look is timelessly chic. learn how to do a classic french manicure to elevate your at-home nail game.

What is V tip French tips? ›

Starting at the middle part at the top of the nail, draw that line diagonally towards the center of the outer edge. Repeat on the other side to get that V-shape. She then says to use a flat brush dipped in polish remover to clean it up. Et voila — you've got your V-tip.

What is a milky French manicure? ›

While a traditional French manicure combines a light pink or nude base color and bright white tips, a milky French manicure uses a sheer, creamy off-white base color that offers a very subtle contrast between the nail base and the tips. The effect is softer and more opaque than the classic French mani.

What is a Russian manicure? ›

The Russian manicure technique removes as much skin as possible from the nail area, which leaves more room for polish. This results in a “cleaner”-looking finish and helps to extend the length of time between appointments, as the skin and nail take longer to grow back than with regular manicures.

What color are classic French nails? ›

The original French manicure was all about a nude base with a crisp white tip. And now, like many nail trends before, the French has come full circle back to its origins—but with a fresh twist. White French nails are, pardon the pun, white-hot these days. But what makes them stand out is a fun take on the original.

What is the best base color for a French manicure? ›

Apply a thin layer of a nude or sheer pink Semilac UV Gel Nail Polish as your base color, capping the free edge. Cure under the UV or LED lamp. Repeat for a second coat if desired. Using a white Semilac UV Gel Nail Polish, carefully paint the tips of your nails, creating a smooth, even line.

What is a vanilla French manicure? ›

Unlike the traditional French Manicure, in which the tips of the nails are painted white, the Vanilla French uses a toned-down, milky, off-white polish. It's more transparent, resembling your nails' natural colour, thus giving the nails a more refined and expensive appearance.

Can you get French tips without gel? ›

Getting a French manicure with regular polish can be a bit tricky, as it may not last as long as a gel manicure. However, there are several steps you can take to help your French manicure last longer: Start with clean, dry nails: Make sure your nails are clean and dry before you start the manicure.

What does a French manicure include? ›

A French manicure traditionally consists of a sheer, nude, or light pink base with a thin strip of white painted at the tip of each nail. Stencils can be used to increase precision while keeping the two colours distinct and separate.

Are there different types of French manicures? ›

Instead of a single line, the double french manicure involves two lines at the tip of the nail. They can either have negative space or sit closely together. The micro french manicure trend features a thin line of color on the tip of the nail. It's very minimalistic and doesn't require much length.

Does a French manicure go with everything? ›

French Manicure

Its sleek and sophisticated design goes well with any ensemble, making it a wardrobe must for many style-conscious people. French manicures produce an elegant and classic style that works well on both formal occasions and daily wear.

What does the new French manicure look like? ›

The base, rather than being an opaque baby pink or peach shade, is translucent and barely there. "The 'modern French' manicure enlists a sheer shade that will enhance your natural nails while camouflaging any imperfections," says Ami. "As a result, nails simply look perfectly groomed."

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