The French Manicure Is Still Fierce AF for the Modern Bride

So, let’s see what you all think about this, because I have my thoughts on it, and I want to get a pulse for how everyone else feels on the matter. Last fall, one of my best friends got married, and as we were all getting glammed up – she brought up a really interesting point. When she went to get her wedding nails done, her manicurist asked what she wanted, and after she said ‘a simple French manicure,’ the girl literally told her, ‘I’ll do it, but it’s kind of outdated.’ 1) Ewww, who says that to a bride just days before her wedding (great way to kick that pre-aisle anxiety wayyy up, so unnecessarily)? and 2) I mean, I haven’t gotten a traditional French manicure since high school, but I’m pretty sure it’s still kind of gold standard for brides, amirite?

Now, granted, we can’t all be Sophie Turner, rocking lilac nails for our wedding days and not even thinking twice about it – she’s just so edge, we can’t compete. But there’s absolutely nothing wrong with a French manicure, because I’ll guarantee every bride – celeb or not – has had it come to mind. It’s just so classic, clean, understated, and pretty, all the things that today’s brides are after (not unlike brides of decades past). And TBH, it’s probably going to stay that way, as long as white, pink, champagne, rose gold, all the soft, bridal-y colors continue to trend.

That said, there certainly is a basicness that comes with a formal French manicure, so we thought we’d do some scouting to see how nuanced the nail trend can go. And OMG, nail artists these days are doing soooo many fun things to update and refresh the somewhat tired look. If you’re still considering what you’ll do to deck out your digits for the big day, then scroll down and get some inspiration.

A few ideas, too:

Soften the tip.

Instead of going old school square with your shape, soften it up. Go with a short, rounded tip that’s perfectly polished. We’re sooo into this infinity-style French. Band on the bottom and the top.

Thin out the band.

The basic French calls for a pretty thick white band, but we love a much thinner take. Extra points for bands that aren’t even white or an extra one on the bottom or midway.

3D Effects FTW.

Opting for a sheer base color, and then shaking up your sparkle or avante-garde factor with rhinestones or mini pearls looks 👌🏻. One of our favorite nail mavens, Betina Goldstein, just did this for a newly-minted beauty director bride, Amber Kallor, and my goshhhh we’re obsessed. Nails to match her ah-mazing Miu Miu bridal pumps. 🤯🤯🤯. Loveee this idea.

Let’s start here – with a mani that has gotten mileage all over the Gram – and keep going.

What’s black and white and fire all over? 👇💅

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