During a recent trip to my local nail salon, the whole room got talking on one subject: Why are French tips called French tips? Then it hit me that, despite it being my job to talk about beauty and nails every day, I didn't actually know the answer.
Boasting timelessness, versatility, and grown-up elegance, it's no surprise that this manicure makes its way onto the nails of millions every month – and even earns a spot on the list of 2026 nail trends. There are now dozens of iterations of the look to trial, including colourful French tip manicures and double French tip nails.
