The French manicure: effortlessly polished, eternally chic, and paradoxically, not quite French at all. This quintessential beauty staple—defined by its soft pink base and crisp white tips—has graced the fingertips of Hollywood icons, runway models, and modern minimalists alike. But where did it originate, and how has it evolved from a beauty classic to a cultural phenomenon? It is after all these years still timelessly elegant.

THE HOLLYWOOD CONNECTION

ORLY is a renowned nail care brand that has been a pioneer in the beauty industry for decades that is still setting colour trends.

Despite its name, the French manicure was born in the glamorous world of 1970s Hollywood. Jeff Pink, the founder of Orly, is credited with its invention, crafting the design to meet the demands of film directors who needed a versatile nail look that complemented multiple costume changes. The concept was simple yet transformative: a clean, polished aesthetic that enhanced natural beauty without overwhelming it.

To bring his vision to life, Pink developed a kit featuring white polish for the tips and a sheer pink or nude lacquer for the base—creating what we now recognise as the French manicure. The look quickly caught on, and when Pink introduced it to the Parisian fashion world, it was met with instant acclaim. In a stroke of branding genius, he named it the ‘French manicure’ cementing its association with effortless European sophistication.

POLISHED NAIL POWER

The Power of a Polished Nail: What makes the French manicure so enduring? Its appeal lies in its ability to straddle two worlds: understated yet refined, natural yet deliberate. It mirrors the French approach to beauty—subtle enhancements that exude sophistication without looking overdone. In the 1990s and early 2000s, it became a go-to for supermodels, celebrities, and brides, a signature of clean-girl glamour.

Notably, brands like Essie and OPI helped propel the French manicure to cult status in the salon industry, offering salon-quality formulations that made the look accessible to women worldwide. OPI is a go-to for many nail enthusiasts, offering high-quality polishes and kits. Their pink collections, such as the OPI Bare My Soul—make achieving a perfect French manicure easy. They even have a tutorial to show you how. Essie’s ‘Ballet Slippers’ and ‘Mademoiselle’—soft, translucent pinks—became staples, often requested by clients wanting the ultimate in polished elegance. These two subtle Essie nail colours are always in my beauty tray.

THOSE FRENCH BEAUTIES

The Evolution of a Classic: Though its traditional form stays timeless, the French manicure has undergone countless reinventions. The early 2000s saw the rise of bolder, square-shaped tips, often paired with pearlescent finishes. More recently, we’ve witnessed a renaissance of French-inspired designs: micro-French tips, coloured variations, chrome overlays, and even negative-space interpretations.

Luxury beauty houses like Chanel and Dior Beauty have also embraced the evolution of the French manicure, offering modern updates such as glossy nude tones, shimmering white tips, and even playful pastel variations. It is this elegance that is seen backstage in the makeup chair.

From the very outset, Gabrielle Chanel established a simple principle: the basis for every one of her creations must be deliberate, personal, and unparalleled. Chanel’s Le Vernis ‘Ballerina’ polish is an elegant and timeless colour choice.

An for a redefined manicure with an understated Parisian touch look to Dior’s Couture Color  ‘Nude Look’. It is a sheer soft neutral—with just the right balance of pink.

COLOURS TO COVET

Hard As Nails: Sally Hansen offers affordable options for French manicures. Their Hard As Nails French Manicure Kit includes everything you need to get a salon-quality look at home—including base coats, tip guides, and a range of nude to white colours. You can decide if you love ‘Nearly Nude or Sheerly Opal as your signature French inspired shade.

Swiss Beauty: Mavala is known for its professional-grade polishes, and its manicure products are ideal for a flawless, elegant look. Their French Manicure Kit provides precision tools—and polish to achieve the perfect balance between the pink base and white tips. Mavala has been added to my favourites list!

Professional Beauty: For a more luxurious option, Deborah Lippmann offers premium nail polishes, including a variety of shades perfect for French manicures. The colour to covet—is Gel Lab Pro Baby Love is a long-lasting sublte pink with a flawless finish.

THAT BEAUTY ICON

A Beauty Icon, Reinvented: Styled like a well-tailored blazer or a classic rich red lip, the French manicure continues to reinvent itself without losing its core identity. Whether worn in its original form or with a modern twist, it is still a testament to timeless beauty—proof that elegance never fades, it simply evolves.

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