15 Black French Manicure Ideas For Autumn

By Charlie Colville

1 month ago

The classic mani is getting a gothic makeover


You can’t go wrong with a good set of Frenchies. A classic for a reason, this manicure is one of the most globally requested in nail salons. And now, it’s getting a dark upgrade. Jump on the trend with these 15 ideas for black French tip nails.

More Autumn French Manicure Ideas

What Is A French Manicure?

A classic French mani is pretty recognisable; comprised of a nude base coat and neat white tips, it’s been a timeless staple on the beauty scene for decades.

The style was first introduced almost 100 years ago, when Maxfactor marketed the neutral nail and white tip combo to its French market in the 1930s. But it was only in 1975, when ORLY founder Jeff Pink made the manicure a hit on the celebrity circuit, that it really took off. And since then, the French manicure has been the blueprint for elevated, natural-looking nails.

@nattnails Black french manicure + glitter ☺️🖤✨️ #nails #nailart #thegelbottle #winternails #blackfrench #ponferrada #thegelbottle ♬ Dance With Me – Alex Blue

But in the last few years we’ve been getting more and more creative with our French tips. And the latest craze comes just in time for autumn (and Halloween).

Why Are Black French Tip Nails Trending?

Black French tip nails are having a moment. Searches on Google for the trend are at an all time high, while TikTok has amassed over 50.3 million posts around the topic – but why the sudden popularity?

For one, there’s the arrival of spooky season. This trend puts a gothic spin on the elegant mani, offering a lowkey way to celebrate Halloween without wandering too far into costume territory.

But there’s also the overall timelessness of the look. A modern approach to French tip nails, black gives a sleek edge to the look that feels both contemporary and like it will never go out of style. The colour palette also makes it an easy one to adapt to multiple skin tones, making it a winner in salons.

@tobeautybar BLACK FRENCH=super clean+esay to pick your outfit🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤 #tobeautybar #frenchnails #blackfrenchtipnails #summernails #nailinspo #summer #toronto #torontonails #gelxnails #gelx #naturalnails #biab ♬ original sound – TORONTO NAILS & LASHES

How To Recreate The Look At Home

The steps involved in creating black French tip nails are pretty simple, but getting the shape right can be tricky. You’ll want either a fine liner brush or a stamp to help you properly shape the tips.

Ready to give it a try? Here’s our step-by-step guide to getting the look:

  1. Prepare your nails by removing any old polish, trimming your nails and filing them into your desired shape. You can also soak your hands in warm, soapy water for a few minutes to soften the cuticles, then gently push them back using a cuticle pusher.
  2. Apply a base coat to all your nails, so that you have a smooth surface for your nail design.
  3. Apply a nude-coloured base coat (or one of your choice, if you want more colour). One or two should be enough.
  4. Apply black nail polish to the tips of your nails. You can do this free-hand with a fine liner brush or a stamp.
  5. Seal it all with a clear top coat. This will also give your manicure a glossy finish.

Manicure Inspiration

1. Classic Black French Tip Nails

2. Glitter Finish

3. Contemporary Swirls

4. Black Bow Nails

 

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5. Rhinestone Details

 

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6. Bat Nails

 

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7. Silver Cracks

 

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8. Square Nails

9. Pearl Trim

 

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10. Gold Chrome Stars

11. Almond Black French Tip Nails

 

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12. Micro French

 

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13. Glossy/Matte Duo

 

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14. Simple Stars

15. Double French

Featured image: Getty Images