We can’t think of a better person than Carine Roitfeld, the former Editor-in-Chief of “Vogue” Paris and the creative mind behind “CR Fashion Book” to confirm the latest fashion and beauty trends. And the woman who epitomises French chic has been one of the influencers behind the comeback of the French manicure (which is actually an American invention).
And we’re pretty sure It-girls like Gigi Hadid, Kylie Jenner and Kim Kardashian, who have all been spotted with French manicures on their digits the past year or so, also have something to do with the revival of the classic pink-and-white nail design. The style, which was invented by Orly Internatioanl Founder and CEO Jeff Pink in the mid 70s as a solution for actresses to have a manicure that would complement multiple outfit changes, has been making a comeback on the runways too.
Whether it’s Roitfeld’s natural yet slightly devised elegant take or Jason Wu and Donatella Versace’s subdued iteration of the classic style on their catwalks, the French manicure is back in business. The two designers had models' nails painted in a sheer and gentle baby pink base while the white tips had an ombre effect. Other Modern twists include the ‘French dip,’ which features a rounded line that trails the natural whites of the nail, and the ‘half dip,’ a sharp, straight line done horizontally across the nail bed.
Plus, of course, there are many creative developments, including striking stencilling and new colour combinations. For example, for his show, Prabal Gurung's models rocked a clear base and grey tips. Undoubtedly, using an of-the-moment colour, whether it’s edgy and vampy or fun and vibrant, is one of the best ways to update the French manicure. One colour set to take centre stage in 2019 is slime-green. Layering two or three shades (think rainbows) is another other fab way to modernise it. For a special event, adding a subtle gem or adding a golden tip are some of the best ways to go, and you can take things even further with crescent nail art, where a golden tip is thicker on one side than the other.
