20 French Accent Nail Ideas to Spruce Up the Classic Manicure

French manicures are timeless. In 2025, however, we want to switch things up a bit. After all, 50 years of the same uniform arched manicure can get a little boring, no matter how chic it may look. With that in mind, we set out to find the prettiest French accent nail ideas to elevate the original 1975 design. Whether you’re looking for a classic white and nude design, a pastel refresh fitting for spring, or something futuristic, you’re in the right place. Ahead, explore 20 French accent nail ideas that made us double-take while scrolling our feeds.

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Metallic Femme French

Let it be known: pink and red color combos aren’t just for Valentine’s Day. We love how this metallic iteration features splashes of silver for a futuristic French that looks out of this world.

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Aura Blush French

Give your pink and red aura manicure a creamy finish. You can DIY the heart-shaped cherries with a nail art brush—or bring this image to your nail artist so they can do it for you.

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BHM French

February is Black History Month, making this red, yellow, and green French accent nail idea a solid choice. The colors celebrate Black culture and symbolize unity, and can be applied in stripes, dots, ombre fades, or just about any design in between.

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Blue and White Chintz French

How pretty is this blue and white chintz mani? You can DIY the design using a fine-line nail art brush. However, let it be known: With a design that is this intricate, patience is a must.

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Blue Mix-and-Match French

Bright shades of blue are trending in 2025, so if dainty florals aren’t your thing, perhaps this head-turning mix-and-match mani will suit your fancy. From wavy checkerboard designs to groovy flowers, this set has it all.

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Cherry Doodle French

We love how playful this cherry-doodle French manicure looks. To recreate this cute French accent mani, you’ll want to leave your perfectionism at the door. The beauty of this look is that all of the art is drawn freehand.

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Creamy Floral French

You can never go wrong with a creamy white manicure, and this floral French set is a particularly obvious choice in our book. And newsflash: It’s not hard to DIY. You can perfect the little daisy details with a dual-ended dotting tool.

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Earthy Mix-and-Match French

If you lean toward earthy shades no matter the season, this aura mix-and-match French manicure is for you. With swatches of taupe, white, charcoal, and sage, it’s a soft yet edgy set.

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Flushed Cyber Aura French

If you prefer brighter, bolder color combos, let us introduce you to this flushed cyber aura French design. To create the look yourself, start with a hot pink and white aura base. Once dry, use a nail art brush to achieve the burgundy design. Finish with a top coat to give the mani an extra glossy look.

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Groovy Cobalt Mismatched French

Here’s another bright blue French accent nail idea for your perusal. As quirky as this mismatched design is, you can always pair your arches with just a single other design.

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Matte Contrast French

Cobalt blue pairs beautifully with many other colors. We suggest a creamy pastel lime shade for a high-contrast French accent design.

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Milk Chocolate Swirl French

For a neutral French accent manicure, consider sticking to a sweet milk chocolate swirl design. When working with darker polishes, it’s especially important to clean up your edges for the most polished look.

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Mismatched Coquette French

If ‘I’m just a girl’ were a manicure, this would be it. We’ve got pink French tips, teeny red bows, and a classic tortoiseshell print. What’s not to love?

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3D Plum French

For an edgier French accent nail idea, check out this moody 3D aura plum look. After creating a dark purple and white aura base, apply clear builder gel in your chosen shapes.

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Negative Space Burgundy French

Negative space nail art is making a comeback. And dare we say, this burgundy French has us sold.

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Sage Bloom French

This dusty sage bloom design brings images of thawing grass to mind. In that way, it’s the perfect springtime nail look.

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White Swirl French

If you love a classic white and nude French manicure but want to spruce it up, ditch two French tips to make room for dainty swirls. Then, add a couple of hearts to the mix for an extra cute touch.

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Sunny Springtime French

Dreaming of spring? This cheerful French accent design delivers all the fresh springtime vibes.

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Tortoiseshell French

Tortoiseshell is a classic beauty statement, as is a French manicure. In other words, the print is the perfect addition to the timeless design.

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Trippy Check French

Meanwhile, if you want a trippier, more far-out French mani, this wavy check design is the way to go. Balance the design with simple Black French tips.