Is The French Manicure Back?

It's been cast out of our beauty regimes, but is there a way to bring it back from the 90s?

Ah French manicures. Nothing quite says stripper, glamour-model 90s reject quite like them. They’ve been out of fashion for seasons – nay, years now. And have become a veritable beauty faux pas, in fact.

Whilst those Tipex-white tips might never return to prominence, the French manicure is making a tentative foray back into our lives – both on the catwalks and on the street – and what's clear is that it's all about how you upgrade it. Look, love and be inspired by our three canny ways to get a rocking French mani. And tweet us your nail inspo to @marieclaireuk #thebeautydesk if you give it a whirl.

1. Move your arc around…

Inspired by the Cushnie et Ochs SS15 show? So are we. Simply swap the traditional French manicure tip for a vintage arc at the nail bed to update the look. We're digging the silver too.

2. Think texture...

Your re-imagined French mani doesn't have to be a contrast in colour, it can be a textural change too. Try a shiny vampish polish with a matte black tip. Goth luxe at its best. 

3.Don't worry about being neat…

Who has the time to use those little stick on strips we used to create our French manicures at school? Nobody, that's who. So ditch the tidy lines and go ombré (see YouTube tutorials galore). It's quicker, it's less hassle and it's ultra-cool.