Iced French Tips Are Coming For Your Spring Manicure

By Charlie Colville

5 hours ago

The weather might be heating up, but frost is this season's mani du jour


It has to be said: French tips never go out of style. Whether round or square, short or long, neutral or vibrant – this classic mani knows how to work with the seasons. And this spring, it’s all about the iced French manicure. Here’s everything you need to know.

What Is An Iced French Manicure?

An elevation of the classic manicure, iced French tips feature an added ‘glazed’ appearance – a subtle shimmer that gives the mani its signature frosted finish.

The name of the trend is thought to have been coined by bridal manicurist Carmelina (@hicarmelina), who teamed up her usual French mani with a soft, silvery colour palette and glossy overcoat to create the look. ‘[But] the real magic happens when the light hits it,’ the nail artist told Refinery29. ‘It glows in the most understated, elegant way.’

 

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It’s a step away from spring’s usual propensity for florals and pastels – as well as the unending obsession with butter yellow. The timelessness of the French manicure lends this new trend its own lasting appeal (with a pretty spray of glitter to boot).

How To Recreate The Look

If you fancy trying the look for yourself at home, then remember one rule: layering is key. To create an iced French manicure, you’ll need to layer sheer colours over a milky base. This is crucial for achieving that frosted look.

For a step-by-step guide to nailing the trend, see below:

  1. After prepping your nails, start with a milky base coat. Avoid pink, as this will take away from the ‘iced’ appearance of the mani; instead, go for a milky white colour.
  2. Next, you’ll need to apply a chrome top coat. A pearlescent shade (with a little bit of gloss and glitter) will work best.
  3. Finish the design with delicate French tips, created using a thin brush. (If you’re struggling to keep it neat, you can use a stencil.)
  4. Seal it all in with a clear top coat, and you have an iced French manicure.

10 Mani Ideas To Try This Season

1. Iced French Manicure

 

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2. Cat Eye

 

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A post shared by Iskandar Nails (@iskandarnails)

3. Silver Sheen

 

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A post shared by Painted Nail Bar (@paintednail.bar)

4. Pastel Tips

 

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A post shared by Monika Mrózek (@monika__nails)

5. Lilac French

6. Chrome Gloss

7. Butter Yellow

 

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A post shared by Sarah Haidar (@heluviee)

8. Pearlescence

 

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9. Iced Ombre

10. Blush Flush

 

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