French pedicures are being touted as the ultimate companion to our sandals this summer, as well as a fresh year-round option for those who love a natural but elevated look.
While we've seen plenty of summer pedicure trends emerge, like coconut milk and rich burgundy pedicures, there are some shades and designs that never really date or dwindle in popularity. These timeless pedicures include bright red, white and really any kind of sheer nail polish, as well as a certain tip-enhancing design. Like how French tip nails are deemed endlessly versatile, a French pedicure is just as reliable - offering a 'your-nails-but-better' effect, as well as uniformity, which is so often the goal with our toes.
The design can be a tad divisive, though; you either love it or hate it - our team, for one, has very mixed opinions - but it is a design that is consistently trending and, when done well, can look incredibly chic. So if you want fresh, well-maintained-looking feet for your holiday or just day-to-day, we've rounded up some inspiration and shared our thoughts on the design.
Why French pedicures are the chic design for every season & occasion
As mentioned, we think a French pedi is one of those looks that can really divide opinion (we'll get to ours later), but there's no denying its constancy among nail trends, and that goes for the manicure iteration.
Its simplicity means that it goes with everything - from your summer wardrobe to your everyday lounge or more formal occasion wear. The traditional pink base and white tip affords a very neat and healthy look that again, goes with everything, but it's also adaptable. You can mix and match colours, and in terms of your fingernails, you can achieve a very different finish depending on the length and shape of your nails.
For your toes, though, we think subtlety is key: a nude or pink base and micro tip. And of course, we've found plenty of visual inspiration for you to take to your nail tech.
French pedicure staples
RRP: £10.99
A sheer, milky pink is always a timeless nail colour, but it's especially chic when used as the base colour of a French manicure or pedicure. This essie nail polish features that perfect soapy-pink tint and boasts a luxe, gel-like glossy finish.
RRP: £14.90
While you can opt for a bright white shade, we think something milkier like OPI's Funny Bunny will offer a more subtle and natural look. This is also a great, timeless nail colour to have in your kit, be it for an all-over colour or as part of a design.
RRP: £9.95
No manicure or pedicure is complete without a high-shine finish, and Digital Beauty Writer, Naomi Jamieson swears by NAILKIND's Mr Volume top coat. "It's so glossy and really gives normal polish that gel-like gleam and fullness. It also makes my pedicure polishes last so much longer by warding off chipping and peeling."
For those wanting to recreate the design at home, we recommend investing in a pink or nude base coat, as well as a sheer white for your tip colour, and a glossy top coat to complete and protect the look. A thin nail brush (like this one, from Manucurist at Look Fantastic), will also come in handy for creating the signature French tip.
1. Short French pedicure
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The length of your French tip pedicure can make all the difference. Opting for a short and neat look can ward off those overgrown toenail comparisons, but we do recommend leaving this sort of treatment and design to the trained hands of nail professionals.
2. Ombre French pedicure
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Ombre French tips are another great option, as there's no sharp end to the design. Instead, the two colours are blended to create a very neutral and classic look, but one that feels more elevated than just a plain, block shade.
3. Micro French pedicure
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An ultra-thin French tip is another iteration that we deem chic, especially when paired with this sort of sheer, strawberry-tinted base colour. It's neat and accomplishes the classic design, but it looks very natural and understated.
Our team's thoughts on French pedicures
It doesn't happen often - things on the woman&home beauty team are usually quite harmonious - but when opinions do differ, we relish the chance for a spirited debate. So far this year, two pedicure styles have caused a stir: a glossy black pedicure and, of course, a French tip look. Of course, this is all very subjective, so if you're a big fan of a French pedi, don't let our thoughts sway you, but they made for an interesting read...
Representing the strongly opposed, Digital Beauty Editor, Fiona McKim, made a valid point about the design mimicking the look of overgrown toenails - a thought that would, we grant her, turn most people's stomachs. She told me: "I'm not even completely in love with French manicures - so the French pedicure is absolutely a bridge too far for me.
"My main objection is that, as with a French mani, the white tip is presumably designed to replicate abundant growth beyond the ends of the digit... and who wants extremely long toenails? Grim. I'll be sticking with a juicy coral or palest marshmallow pink this summer."
Digital Beauty Writer, Sennen Prickett, on the other hand, appreciated the timelessness of the design and how, as with most neutral nails, a French pedicure would go with all your summer outfits:
"While I don’t typically find myself booking pedicure appointments, I do frequently get French manicures, so I can appreciate the look on others' toes. This classic nail art design is a simple, elegant and timeless choice that’s perfect for sandal season. Its minimalist appeal means it can complement every and any outfit choice, too."
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Now, to the tie-breaker. What does this writer think of a French tip pedicure? Honestly, I see both sides, but I am of the mind that, when done well, this design can look very chic.
I think the key lies in the length as well as the choice of tip and base colour. A sheer pink and milky white, for instance, will be far more subtle and 'natural' compared to that of a crisp, bright white tip.
Of course, the whole point of the design is to mimic the look of a natural nail (toe or otherwise) but with more uniformity and precision. That said, too much of both of these things can add to that overgrown and finger-like toenail effect. So, I think the trick to achieving a chic-looking French pedicure lies in keeping the tip very subtle.
