On-Trend French Manicure Ideas For Summer 2025

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Although once a look that screamed, "1989 called and it wants its French manicure back," that's no longer the case. While the modern takes on the French manicure have given everyone, no matter their sense of style, a willingness to try at least a version of a French mani, whether it be the floating French manicure, Rihanna's chrome French mani, or some other look, even the classic pink and white has made a comeback too. We're living in the era of French manicures and it's very a fun place to be.

While spring 2025 was robust with bright nails, summer is all about embracing designs that are less in-your-face, albeit still full of color. That sentiment very much carries into the season's hottest French manicure trends, which are all about color blocking, floral accents, beach-inspired imagery and, of course, lots of chrome. If you're more of a traditionalist, don't worry; there are trendy takes on the original French mani too. In other words, there really is something for everyone.

No matter how short or long your nails, your skin tone, or your overall vibe, let these on-trend French manicure ideas inspire you. If you start now, you can give them all a try before the end of the summer.

If you can't imagine experimenting with wild colors or a deconstructed French manicure, you can add something extra to your white tip with the help of tiny colorful flower accents. You can easily achieve this using a COBAHO Nail embossing stylus and your choice of polish hues; though sticking with reds and yellows are great if you want that summer vibe. 

"The longevity of the French manicure is down to its adaptability," A-list manicurist Tinu Bello told Elle UK in April 2025. "While the traditional white tip is always on trend, adding subtle nail art, gradient tones or experimenting with different tip colors keeps it fresh and modern." It's best to start small if you're new to nail art. If you're feeling coquettish, give bows and a cherry or two a try.

Neon was one of the most on-trend polish colors for spring 2025 and it's continuing to hold strong for the summer. But if you're someone who has trouble embracing the vibrant Dayglo shades, opting for a French variation is a good option — especially thanks to a technique called the micro French tip.

"I love micro French tips because they look so sleek, sophisticated, and subtle," cosmetologist and beauty educator Lindsay Worthen told Marie Claire in December 2024 regarding the summer 2025 French manicure trends. "If you've never had a French manicure before, this is a great way to test the waters without taking the full plunge." It's also a great way to flirt with neon in a low-key, but fun way.

Everything about this French manicure screams "time to party." The colors are perfect for the summer, those tips are serving up some major color blocking. So much excitement all in one manicure!

Although the color choices here are stunning and vibrant, if you wanted to swap out a few and switched the lineup a bit, this French manicure could easy be made into a Pride manicure. With what the LGBTQ+ community is up against during Trump 2.0, showing your support, even in a small way like your manicure, matters.

In September 2024, the milky French manicure started showing up on celebrities of all ages. Although minimalism is slowly giving way to more maximalist looks in fashion, the clean girl aesthetic is still very much alive and well in 2025. If you plan on living the summer up by rocking timeless sophistication fashion and styles, then the best way to complete that look is with the milky French manicure.

Though the design isn't as bold as other summer manicures, the milky white, glossy finish deviates enough from the traditional, pink-hued French manicure to be considered eye-catching. Should you decide you want to take things up a notch, you can always add a touch of bling or a beach-inspired sticker.

Remember when butter yellow nails were the hottest trend in 2024? So do we. Although the trend seemed to have started with Selena Gomez, it didn't take long for it to explode across fashion magazines and runways, as people decided to do their own take on butter yellow nails. Some of whom made really flashy and over-to-top decisions for the color, and it was fantastic to witness.

"Butter yellow has been trending this year because it's the new nude," manicurist Priscilla Nguyen told Marie Claire in July 2024. "It has a pop of color without being so vibrant." Well, in news every butter yellow fan wants to hear: it's all the rage again in summer 2025. This also means there's no better way to celebrate the trend than with butter yellow French tips.

Like butter yellow, chrome doesn't appear to be going anywhere anytime soon. Whether you go for silver, gold, magenta, or one of the trendiest chrome nail variations, this beautiful high-shine look will make you feel like you're starring in the film "Bladerunner." Applyign it as a French manicure also an easy way to experiment with the technique if you're not into the thought of covering your entire nail with metallics. It's both low-commitment and high style.

What better way to upgrade a French manicure for the summer than transforming your tips into little ocean waves? "High shine is giving way to iridescence, and softer, nature-inspired textures are replacing some of the more maximalist designs," founder and creative director of luxury nail salon brand Townhouse, Juanita Huber-Millet, told Vogue UK in May 2025. "It's a nod to our connection to the sea and the serenity and sense of calm it instills." Take your white tips and drag them further up the nail with different shades of blue polish to create an oceanic look. Even if you can't make it to the beach every day this summer, thanks to your mani, you'll always be there in spirit.