Alternative French: the white free edge and/or the pink nail bed are replaced with a color other than pink or white.
Cuban: a type of alternative French in which the nail bed is red and the free edge is white; a Cuban can also refer to a solid red nail with the edge swiped with the finger.
American: a softer version of a French that uses a soft white for the free edge and a sheer pink or clear for the nail bed.
Chevron French: the smile line is created in the shape of a V. (Watch a video of how to create this French on NAILStv: http://www.nailsmag.com/video/93305/how-to-make-a-chevron-french)
Inverted Chevron French: the smile line is created in the shape of an inverted V (pointing toward the nail bed).
Off-Center Chevron French: the smile line is created in the shape of an off-center V. (Watch a video of how to create this French on NAILStv: http://www.nailsmag.com/video/93303/how-to-make-an-off-center-chevron-french)
French With Moon Manicure: a French that also highlights the nail lunula in the same color as the free edge; a moon manicure can also stand alone (without the French free edge).
French with Smile Line Embellishment: the smile line is embellished; this can be done with nail art products like rhinestones or by outlining the border where the nail bed and free edge meet with a different color.
Slanted French: the smile line is created as a diagonal.
Scalloped French: the smile line is scalloped (features rounded projections that resemble the edge of a scallop shell). (Watch a video of how to create this French of NAILStv: http://www.nailsmag.com/video/93304/how-to-make-a-scalloped-french)
Marbled French: the free edge is marbleized. (Marbleizing is swirling the nail medium to give it a marble-like variegated finish and can be done with a marble brush, a toothpick, or similar tool.)
Rock Star French: the free edge is covered in glitter or a glitter product.
French Fade: the free edge features a color fade (two or more colors fading into each other).
French Twist: a French that uses traditional pink and white colors but is a more designed, artistic, creative interpretation.
French Nail Art: the free edge is done in a nail art design such as an animal print.
Louboutin French: Inspired by Christian Louboutin shoes, the underside of the free edge is colored in red.
Crescent Moon Manicure (also known as a reverse French): An upside-down French manicure, in which instead of a smile line at the free edge it’s a smile line shape at the nail lunula.
Deep French: the smile line is markedly deep and round.
High French: the pink-to-white color ratio is changed such that the white free edge dominates the French.
Alternative French: the white free edge and/or the pink nail bed are replaced with a color other than pink or white.
Cuban: a type of alternative French in which the nail bed is red and the free edge is white; a Cuban can also refer to a solid red nail with the edge swiped with the finger.
American: a softer version of a French that uses a soft white for the free edge and a sheer pink or clear for the nail bed.
Chevron French: the smile line is created in the shape of a V. (Watch a video of how to create this French on NAILStv: http://www.nailsmag.com/video/93305/how-to-make-a-chevron-french)
Inverted Chevron French: the smile line is created in the shape of an inverted V (pointing toward the nail bed).
Off-Center Chevron French: the smile line is created in the shape of an off-center V. (Watch a video of how to create this French on NAILStv: http://www.nailsmag.com/video/93303/how-to-make-an-off-center-chevron-french)
French With Moon Manicure: a French that also highlights the nail lunula in the same color as the free edge; a moon manicure can also stand alone (without the French free edge).
French with Smile Line Embellishment: the smile line is embellished; this can be done with nail art products like rhinestones or by outlining the border where the nail bed and free edge meet with a different color.
Slanted French: the smile line is created as a diagonal.
Scalloped French: the smile line is scalloped (features rounded projections that resemble the edge of a scallop shell). (Watch a video of how to create this French of NAILStv: http://www.nailsmag.com/video/93304/how-to-make-a-scalloped-french)
Marbled French: the free edge is marbleized. (Marbleizing is swirling the nail medium to give it a marble-like variegated finish and can be done with a marble brush, a toothpick, or similar tool.)
Rock Star French: the free edge is covered in glitter or a glitter product.
French Fade: the free edge features a color fade (two or more colors fading into each other).
French Twist: a French that uses traditional pink and white colors but is a more designed, artistic, creative interpretation.
French Nail Art: the free edge is done in a nail art design such as an animal print.
Louboutin French: Inspired by Christian Louboutin shoes, the underside of the free edge is colored in red.
Crescent Moon Manicure (also known as a reverse French): An upside-down French manicure, in which instead of a smile line at the free edge it’s a smile line shape at the nail lunula.
Deep French: the smile line is markedly deep and round.
High French: the pink-to-white color ratio is changed such that the white free edge dominates the French.
Think of “French manicure” as an umbrella term that covers a myriad of related looks. With all of these variations, you’re sure to find a French for every client.
The French variations shown in this gallery can all be done in your client's preferred shape (square, stiletto, etc). View photos of different nail shape options at www.nailsmag.com/smilelineshapes.
Nails by Robin Moses, www.robinmoses.com, Florence, Ore.
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