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
Especially for the holidays, Queenie is a fan of adding tiny little rhinestones along the V-tips to make your nails really stand out.
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
This nail look is just super cool. Dress up a matte black nail base with glossy black V-tips for the ultimate monochromatic mani.
A French manicure usually keeps the base clear or pink with a bright and stark white tip.An American manicure uses a glossy nude for the base — like your nails but better. What's more, the tip is created with a more translucent off-white, which is closer to the natural nail look.
Although French manicures can be suitable for every type of nail shape and length, Bychkova suggests that mid-length almonds and short squares are the easiest to paint French tips on.
The vanilla French is minimalistic and flattering on most nail shapes—although it's worth noting that it looks particularly good on longer, almond-shaped nails.
However, when opting for more specialized services like gel polish or French tip nails, the prices can escalate. Gel polish, known for its durability and shine, typically adds $5 to $15 to the base price of a manicure. Meanwhile, French tip nails can increase the cost by $10 to $20.
The French manicure is a classic for a reason. It's a simple neutral that can go with anything and offers a clean look for all occasions, formal or not.
"Turn the brush sideways and, starting at the nail line, keep the brush still while you roll your finger to the other side," says Lippmann. You can also put some polish on a makeup sponge and use the same technique.
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.
While the French manicure started out as a very classic look – a simple nude base with a white tip – in recent years, the design has taken on a whole new life of its own. Enter French Tips: replace the white tip with a color, glitter, metallic, or do different colored tips – your nail is your oyster!
Put a milky twist on the classic French manicure by replacing the traditional white tip with a milky white shade. Use a slightly opaque or sheer milky white polish to create a soft and elegant French tip. This combination maintains the sophistication of the French manicure while incorporating the milky nail trend.
A French manicure or pedicure employs the best of neutral colors for a classy and chic style every time. Traditionally, they utilize a light pink color or nude neutral color for the base coat. The defining feature of a French tip manicure or pedicure is the white line across the top.
The classic French manicure is making a major comeback in 2024 — but with a twist. Perhaps the most undefeated nail trend to exist is the classic French manicure (remember when square acrylic...
The Russian nail method is a dry process of filing, cutting, and removing the cuticle with electric drill bits entirely for a clean look and feel. The Russian manicure can prevent the dry cracking of cuticles or hangnails, thus extending the longevity of the manicure.
The french manicure gradient works well on shorter nails as there isn't a sharp white edge that shows where the nail bed ends and the nail tip begins. It gives the illusion that the nail tips are longer as the white tip gradient fades.
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.
French Nails, or 'French Tips' were first made popular in the 1930's among the fashion elite of Paris. This style involves leaving most the nail a neutral or natural colour, while only painting the tips.
French manis are elegant and hearken back to classic nail looks from the fifties and sixties, yet they feel clean and modern at the same time. It's minimal and doesn't look like you're trying too hard, but has a touch of polish and vintage nostalgia.
Introduction: My name is Dan Stracke, I am a homely, gleaming, glamorous, inquisitive, homely, gorgeous, light person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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