It’s a classic look that has only improved over the years. There are many ways to update the classic mani. You can experiment with any color, length, or shape. Long French manicures can be a good way to showcase the nail art.
Long nails give you more space to play with, allowing your creativity to run wild. We’ve got 26 ideas for long French nails to suit every mood and style, whether you like the classic white and nude palette or prefer something more bold.
01of 26
Cherry French Nails
@nuka.nails / Instagram
Add a cherry nail art to your classic white French manicure for a fun twist. You can add a poppy design to your manicure by using decals like Inked By Dani Color Nail Art (10$) or freehanding it if you have a steady hand. The airbrushed cherry design is highlighted by white tips and nude glitter nails.
02of 26
Rose French Nails
@nuka.nails / Instagram
This simple French manicure comes to life with a surprise 3D element, such as a rose embellishment. The extra-long nails and tapered tip provide plenty of room for the rose. We love the Beauty and Beast-like vibes.
03of 26
XL Pastel French Nails
@nuka.nails / Instagram
The longer your nails are, the more space you have for gradient nails. This matte-tipped square set fades from pastel colors to a nude nail base, with two small white Nike Swoosh accents.
04of 26
Baby Blue French Nails
@overglowedit / Instagram
This version adds color to the French manicure by using a couple of coats of a sheer baby-blue polish on the base and an opaque light-blue on the tips. Use complementary blue colors such as Cirque Colors Gel Polish in Creekside ($16) and Morningtide ($13) for the French tips.
05of 26
Coquette Bow French Nails
@overglowedit / Instagram
This bow-adorned coquette manicure is ideal for all occasions, from weddings to girls trips. The combination of mini pearls, which encircle the almond-shaped tips in chrome, and the bows are a perfect match.
06of 26
White French Nails
@amyle.nails/ Instagram
This stone-inspired manicure is a great way to add a little flair to a classic French mani. To begin, apply a sheer color to the nail. Then use an opaque white polish to create an arch. Finish by applying a pale gray shade and two coats of glitter.
07of 26
Red French Nails
@amyle.nails/ Instagram
This split French manicure in red and gold is super cool. Use a medium nail brush to create a clear division between the gold and red polish. This allows you to apply color on the tips while maintaining a sharp line. Stock up on three nail polish colors. One should be a gold glitter, like Dazzle Dry Nail Lacquer in Lunar Love ($22), another should be a red classic, like Pearnova Classic Lacquer in Kissu Miss You ($5), and the third one must be a nude color, like OPI Nail Lacquer in Put it in Neutral ($12).
08of 26
Ruby Red Celestial French Nails
@phoebesummernails / Instagram
This long, gorgeous French design is perfect for all occasions. This design has a hint at intricate nail art with gems and chrome details, as well as a glossy, red tip. For this manicure, apply a base coat in a neutral color and then outline the tip with a classic red nail polish such as Chanel Longwear Nail Color ($32) Incendiaire. Paint on the gold stars with chrome and then add gems to top.
09of 26
Jelly Green French Nails
@phoebesummernails / Instagram
Green French manicures always look stunning. The tips of the nail are painted in a light shade of green, and then covered with chrome. The chrome arches on the nails are an eye-catching accent.
10of 26
Black French Nails
@brownluxenails / Instagram
Why limit yourself to one shade when you can choose from a variety? Each nail features a different shade of blue in this manicure.
11of 26
Pink Gradient French Nails
@brushedbyb_/ Instagram
Pretty pink nails always look great, but adding stars and sparkles can make them even more appealing. This gradient pink skittles set starts with a hot pink polish, and gradually lightens up to a white lacquer.
12of 26
Multi-Green French Nails
@brushedbyb_/ Instagram
Metallic green nails can be interesting by themselves. Instead of sticking to a monochromatic look across all ten nails, add a classic French manicure to a few. Combining a classic French manicure with a metallic teal shade that meets mint is an easy way to create a unique nail look.
13of 26
Ombre Optical Illusion
@brushedbyb_/ Instagram
This brown-black French manicure is a great way to add a touch of moodiness to your French manicure. The ombre effect creates a gradient between light and dark shades, with black lines at the base each nail.
14of 26
French Skittle Nails
@brushedbyb_/ Instagram
Can’t decide on a nail color? This vibrant French skittle manicure will help you out. Mixing and matching vibrant polish colors is a great way to let your creativity soar.
15of 26
French Nails Outlined
@nailsbysuman/ Instagram
This French manicure works well with longer nails, such as coffin, almond or stiletto. The traditional white-tipped nails are replaced with a more vibrant look. The moody colors are extended from the tip to the base to outline the nail.
16of 26
Gradient Green French Nails
@nailsbysuman/ Instagram
Add a French manicure to the next level with different shades of green. This gradient set uses a sheer base of pink to mimic the natural color of the nails. It is then complemented by multiple shades and colors in green.
Logo French Nails
@NAILSBYSUMAN/ INSTAGRAM
Logo nails are in. Barry M Gelly High Shine Nail Paint in Black Forest ($5) and Maybelline Colour Show Nail Polish in Mauve Kiss ($5) are used to create the Fendi logo. The overall look is incredibly luxurious, even though the logo has been kept to just the tips.
18of 26
Red Studded French Nails
@nails_of_la/ Instagram
Megan Fox is the only one who can make studs on bright red French manicures look cool. Brittney Boys, Fox’s nail technician, added silver studs to the long coffin-shaped nails. The result was a stylish, modern manicure.
19of 26
French Nails with Bedazzled French Nails
@nails_of_la/ Instagram
The addition of a little nail bling can elevate a simple white French manicure. To attach the gems, use a wooden stick dipped in nail glue. Dab the nail glue onto your nails and place the rhinestones at the center. You’ll be doing a double-take when you see this set.
20of 26
Barbiecore French NAILS
@nails_of_la/ Instagram
Another stunning way to create gradient nails is with this pretty pink-meets red French manicure. To achieve this look, you’ll need to use three different nail polishes: baby pink, hot pink and true red.
21of 26
Wine Red French Nails
@heluviee /Instagram
A wine-red French manicure can be given a new twist by adding a small amount of gold glitter to one nail. This non-uniform glitter pattern gives a more natural look.
22of 26
Graphic Tips
@heluviee /Instagram
This black mix-and-match manicure is exciting and eye-catching. The contrast created by pairing classic French tips with French tips in negative space creates a striking look.
23of 26
All-Over Glitter
@nailsbyzola /Instagram
Instead of focusing on the tips, give the base of the nails some attention by covering them with glitter. The sparkly base and bright blue tips are the perfect combination.
24of 26
Muted French Skittle Nails
@disseynails /Instagram
Skittle French manicures do not have to be loud and bright. This muted version, featuring cream, brown and green shades, is a great example. The colored tip will be more prominent if you leave the base of the nail bare.
25of 26
Rainbow French Manicure
@disseynails /Instagram
Try this rainbow design for a fun take on French manicure. This design features vibrant shades such as purple, green pink and blue. Each nail is also decorated with heart-shaped gems in color-coordinated shades. Deco Beauty Jewel Nail Stickers are a great way to get this look.
26of 26
3D Green Croc French Manicure
@nuka.nails / Instagram
This green manicure is perfect for croc lovers. This statement-making tip looks great on a pale pink matte base.
