Why does summer encourage us to try something new? Maybe it’s the sunshine calling us to get bold, or maybe it’s the unspoken law that nothing beats a fresh set of nails with a cold drink in hand. One thing’s for sure—French tips are not just back. They’ve evolved. And Summer 2025? She’s not playing it safe.
What kind of french tips are appearing all over—on Pinterest and in the sidewalk cafés of SoHo? We’ll go through the season’s top styles which are sure to start conversations. Some are simple, some are a little extra. But all of them? Totally wearable and mood-lifting.
Classic White Tips with a Glossy Short Finish
The French tip has remained popular because it’s neat, pretty and always stylish. But if it’s made with a very shiny finish and is shaped like a short almond? That’s how you make timeless feel current again. Rather than being sharp, this version is soft and sweet, just like the start of a summer romance.
I generally apply Essie’s Ballet Slippers as the base, as it’s a sheer pink that always looks neat but not too formal. For the tips, choose a white polish with a lot of coverage, like OPI’s Alpine Snow and a top coat that adds extra shine such as Seche Vite.
Its natural shape is what makes it great for summer—you don’t have to worry about it chipping and it looks good with shorts or a wedding dress. Even your nails first, let the base coat dry completely and then either draw on the tips or use sticker guides.
I’ve been wearing this outfit a lot on my June-July trips and I can tell you it never gets old. When you need to look nice in a hurry or just want something easy, this method is always a good choice.
French Meets Fun with a Pop Art Twist
How does your regular summer french tips look if you add just a touch of something new? You end up with a look that looks like it came from a ‘70s pool party. The square shape makes everything stable, but the colorful accent nail gives it a twist. A cheerful yellow background, a pink daisy and a feeling that says happy hour is here.
To pull this off, you’ll want a nude-pink polish (like Zoya Dot) and a strong white like China Glaze White on White for your tips. Pick vibrant hot pink and lemon yellow nail polishes and either use crafty stickers or paint on your own floral design.
It’s easier than it looks. Paint the base, add tips and after drying, use a dotting tool or toothpick to create the flower. Seal it all with a UV top coat if you’re using gel, or a high-gloss one for regular polish.
This is what I pick if I want a traditional dish without it being too heavy. Making a bold choice with one piece of jewelry is similar to wearing a statement earring.
Blue Glitter French with an Iridescent Edge
Glitter is now grown up and this beautiful blue ombré set shows it off. The look of these french tips is as cool as a swim in refreshing water. It begins with a gentle pink nude and ends in a sparkling icy effect that catches the light as you move.
You’ll want a blue glitter polish like ILNP’s Blueprint or Orly’s Snowcone Sparkle, along with a sheer base like Essie’s Mademoiselle. Try the sponge technique for ombré: brush the glitter from top to bottom for an even gradient.
According to Betina Goldstein, “Glitter tips are a simple way to add a touch of glam without going overboard. Leave your base simple and let the shimmer do its thing. And honestly? She’s right. This mani has vacation written all over it.
I love that it gives your hands a bronzed, camera-ready look right away. Gold jewelry looks great on her and she looks even better with a tan.
Yellow Ombré with Sweetheart Detail
It is like taking a bite of a lemon popsicle—it’s eye-catching, surprising and very tasty. The french tips for summer coloured nails are full yellow, but soften the look with an ombré fade and a little heart detail.
Try using Lights Lacquer’s Slice of Life on your tips and Essie’s Sugar Daddy as your base color. You may draw the heart freehand with a detail brush or use stickers and finish it with a jelly-gloss top coat.
The key here is blending. Apply the yellow nail polish to the nail using a small sponge, starting from the center and getting darker towards the nail tip. Add the heart last once everything is dry.
It’s a manicure that makes people in line at the café notice you and smile. Playful, wearable, and summer in every sense.
Midnight Black and Silver Drama
Every time the sun sets and the lights turn on, I want to wear this french tips for summer black version. The square tips are painted black and a silver crescent of glitter, like the moon, shows above the tips.
You’ll need a sharp black polish (try OPI’s Black Onyx) and a microglitter like Mooncat’s Stardust or Zoya’s Cosmo. Paint your base, edge the tips with a clean angled brush and add glitter just below.
The reason this is more haute couture than Halloween is the spacing—the black is strong, but the glitter curve softens it a bit. It’s great for a summer wedding at night or a quick night out with friends.
I wore this outfit on a Friday night with a black satin midi dress and gold hoop earrings and I loved it. I didn’t need anything else.
Cherry-Red French with a Glossy Almond Twist
If summer could be a flavor, this would be the bold taste of a red popsicle. The deep and confident curve of the cherry red French tip on these almond-shaped nails makes them very hot. It’s the kind of design that feels sweet and spicy all at once—feminine, daring, and just the right amount of showy.
For a top-quality glass-like finish, apply Olive & June’s CV polish as the base and OPI’s Big Apple Red to the tips. The two go well together, offering a strong contrast but still making the design look polished. You can use a fine detailing brush to make the curve in this version which looks great on almond nails.
I’ve noticed that when I wear this look, it boosts my confidence instantly—it’s bold without being loud. Ideal for eating brunch on the roof or relaxing with iced tea, extra lipstick and a breezy dress. Try it once, and you’ll crave it again.
Lime and Lilac Electric Summer Clash
Okay, let’s talk about contrast—the fun, unexpected kind. Neon yellow and muted purple together are not just a passing trend, they make a strong statement. Its bold use of color and simple square shape make this one stand out without shouting.
Use McKittrick as your purple and Jefa as your yellow. The main thing is that the paint should be highly pigmented so that two coats give you full coverage. Use a guide or a brush with a curve to make the arc between the two colors.
You can actually wear this mani well if your outfit is simple and clean. It pops with denim and elevates white. I paired this dress with a lilac bag and people stopped me three times as I went through the farmers market. That’s the vibe.
Graphic White Base with Hot Pink Micro-Crescent
It’s simple in design but leaves a big mark. The base is a cool-toned white, matte and confident. What makes it stand out is the very thin hot pink tip which adds a playful, stylish touch. It is organized, shaped and adorable in a way that suits adults.
You need a thick white polish like Essie’s Blanc and a very thin liner brush to paint the tips. If you want hot pink, pick Floss Gloss’ Fastlane or Orly’s Oh Cabana Boy. They are bold enough to be fun but not too bold to seem childish.
This kind of light pink detailing is often found on fashion editors during Fashion Week and it always appears very planned. Weddings, work events and even between stronger designs are great places for this style.
Tangerine Sunrise Ombre Coffin Tips
The combination of a french tip and summer coffin shape is so dramatic and this tangerine fade adds just the right amount of excitement. Going from yellow to orange to red at the end makes the cone look just like the Miami sky before a night of fun. Add a little crystal curve? Now it’s giving “nails on vacation mode.”
To get the fade, I apply OPI’s Sun, Sea and Sand in My Pants, China Glaze’s Orange Knockout and OPI’s Red Hot Rio using a sponge to blend them. Rhinestones can be pressed in gently while the top coat is wet, or use nail glue if you’re not working with gel.
This set is a little high-maintenance but oh-so-worth-it. For a vacation with the girls or a tropical escape, this one has no better effect.
Sunset Red Square French with a Soft Fade
This version takes the french tips for summer square style and adds a gradient that makes it feel like golden hour on your nails. There is a smooth transition from red to orange and it looks very bright. Not as strong as a block tip but not quiet either—this manicure is summer in a nutshell.
I usually use a fan brush to blend these shades from Zoya and China Glaze such as Marigold and Thistle Do Nicely. It’s about layering slowly, not rushing the color buildup. A clear jelly top coat gives that subtle glow.
The best part? It can be dressed up or down, whether you wear a swimsuit or a white linen jumpsuit. I wore this for a weekend wedding and it was still looking fresh by the time Monday came. No regrets.
Diagonal Hot Pink Tips on a Clean Nude Base
Sleek. Crisp. Hot pink perfection. This nail design uses diagonals instead of the usual arc which gives your French manicure a trendy, fashionable look. It has a fresh and soft pink, playing just the right part between playful summer and polished looks in magazines.
The base color I always pick is Deborah Lippmann’s Naked and for the pink, I really like Essie’s The Fuchsia Is Bright because it’s not too sweet. An angled nail art brush will give you a sharp diagonal look.
It’s surprisingly wearable. I have used this set for meetings and for a weekend wedding and it has worked for both occasions. For those used to the same smile line, this could open up some new favorites.
Almond Neon Green French for the Bold Girl Summer
It’s really saying, “I’m here and you can look all you want.” The almond shape makes the finger look elegant and the neon green at the ends brings a little spice and fun to the season. This kind of style makes you feel like sending a text to your friends saying, “Let’s do something fun tonight.”
I put OPI’s Bubble Bath as the foundation and applied Lights Lacquer’s Now & Later on my fingertips. The combination is subtle and electric at once. This type of brush is best for making the pointed tip that almond nails are known for.
This set gives main character energy. I was wearing this while traveling and it looked wonderful in the sun, particularly with gold accessories. Unexpectedly luxe.
Two-Tone Lilac and Magenta Curve Tips
Talk about a sweet surprise. These summer nails are coloured with pastel and bright shades, mixing a soft blue-purple base with a thin magenta curve. Because the two-tone is unexpected, each nail tip looks like a small sculpture.
You can do this dreamy purple look with Fierce & Loving by Olive & June as the main color and use China Glaze’s Purple Panic to mark out the shape around the corner. You should use a curved brush and take your time with the lines, because the result is very satisfying.
It looks to me like watercolor skies and melted sorbet. This style lets you enjoy colored tips and also looks elegant and creative.
Trio-Toned Retro Neon Block Tips
If you mixed 80s arcade games with Pinterest inspiration, you would get this. Red, yellow and lime green are joined by contrasting pink French edges. They look a little bit like the past and a lot like fun, especially when you wear them with square nails and summer jeans.
For this combo, look to Color Club’s Almost Famous (yellow), Essie’s Mojito Madness (green), and Zoya’s Carmen (red). Apply OPI’s Strawberry Margarita with a striping brush along the edge of the nail for the pink strip.
They’re a little chaotic in the best way. I wore this outfit to a beach festival and people kept telling me how much they liked it. If you want to be creative with color but also want some order—this style is perfect.
Glitter-Pink Square Tips for Sunset Hours
This one is for those golden hour times when you’re in linen, your skin looks great and your nails speak for themselves. The soft sparkle and lots of dimension are thanks to the square tips dipped in pink glitter. They’re cute, party-ready, and surprisingly versatile.
I often choose ORLY’s Bling for the glitter and put it over a base of Essie’s Minimalistic. You can get a full glitter finish at the tip by sponging it on instead of brushing.
Honestly? I’d put this on for a vacation, a bachelorette party or just because it’s a nice day and I feel like it. Something white and flowing will help you look fresh and easy.
Muted Mauve with Soft Yellow Smile Lines
This design is a peaceful summer manicure—dusty rose and pastel yellow, giving a gentle, quiet version of french tips for short nails. The smile line is softly curved and neat, keeping the classic French base but adding a light sorbet taste.
I started with Olive & June’s MM as a soft pink-mauve and finished with Zoya’s Bee for the tips which is a pale creamy yellow that reminds me of the morning sun. The best way to paint this is with a half-moon stencil or a thin liner brush, so the dip remains the same on all fingers.
The set has a gentle mood and a sweet look, fitting well for gentle brunch days or lazy weekends. It feels like lemon cake and afternoon light—soft, understated and still very much styled.
Bold Blue Square Fade with a Hint of Cool
French tips with summer blue seem to make the heat a little more comfortable. This nail polish gives a cobalt-to-white gradient to a squared-off tip, making nails look icy. It’s a good alternative to summer nails and highlights the trend for square nails this season.
Apply Essie’s Aruba Blue for the bold royal shade and mix it with Essie’s Marshmallow by blending with a makeup sponge. Use a flat clean-up brush dipped in acetone to clean up the edges and get a nice square finish.
I put this on for a night out and felt like my nails were already made up. When your nails have a great finish, you only need a few touches of polish and some hoops.
Neon Fade of Yellow and Pink
This one’s not shy. If you’re into a french tips for summer coffin style with lots of color, this pink and yellow fade will amaze you. It’s bright at the edges, then it blends softly into a clear nude, much like a neon sign seen through a haze.
Start with Lights Lacquer’s Paper Snow as a base, then dab in China Glaze’s Shocking Pink and Color Club’s Yellin’ Yellow using a sponge. Blend, top coat, and you’re set.
This mani looks just like a summer festival. On a Saturday, I would pair this with white crochet and mirrored sunglasses and I’d feel like I was ready for an Insta post.
Bright Neon Smile Lines on Natural Base
With a bit of colour, this manicure gives us the classic french tips for summer short nails. Since the neon green and pink tips curve on a sheer nude base, it’s a perfect example of easy-going style. The thumb stands out because it has both colors in one place, making them stand out from each other.
For colors this loud, I always reach for Orly’s Glowstick (neon green) and Essie’s 24/7 (hot pink). Guide the shape of every curve with a little brush or French tip sticker.
I love how this look balances polish with personality. It is great for days when you want to have some fun but not too much. Great for everyday errands or spontaneous road trips.
Rainbow Almond French for the Maximalist
This is the way to make your nails look like a full mood board. The nails show off a range of colors—red, hot pink, green, yellow, orange—like a rainbow, but in a fashionable way. They’re clean, precise, and incredibly satisfying to look at.
You can achieve any color with one-coat polishes, for example Color Club’s neon collection, that dry quickly and have strong pigment. Begin with the tips covered in nail polish and then lay a sheer topcoat of OPI’s Bubble Bath for a clear look.
This design is a whole personality. I put it on for my trip and it looked great with everything I wore. It feels like trying every gelato and not wanting to pick one, since you don’t have to.
