If you were a fly on the wall Seduction office in the early 2010s, you might have heard editors talk about the French manicure—but not the way we do now. The look, characterized by the arc at the end of the nail, “was always on the ‘trick list’ for every story,” says Sophia Panych, our then-staff assistant and now our content director. “I quickly learned that a large group considers the French manicure très gauche.”
“French hair was for sex stars, Jersey girls, or bottle blondes with blue eye shadow,” adds David Denicolo, a longtime contributor and former editor-in-chief of our publication. At that time, he asked the editors what they thought about the story. “It was just a snapshot,” he recalls. Miss Pop, an editorial nail artist who has held key fashion shows for more than two decades, has watched the look decline from its peak: “It was a show of wealth, but not a show of class,” she says.
In retrospect, these ideas were wrong all around—by nail artists, crafters, and prostitutes. “The French manicure has an amazing history,” says Panych. Here’s a refresher: Manicurist Jeff Pink created the look in 1975 for his clients in California (no, not France). He wanted a style that Hollywood stars could wear throughout the production, even in multiple wardrobe changes. Also, the skin-colored base of the look made it easy to hide any growth from the camera.
The look went on to inspire many generations of nail artists. “When I was a kid, I spent every waking minute trying to figure out how to do French hair,” said Miss Pop. I’ve spent a lot of my career rethinking it—it’s hard not to. It’s a natural way to do it.”
Nail artist Elle Gerstein, whose clients include Michelle Williams, Kate Hudson, and Shay Mitchell, says the French manicure helped her stand out in the industry. “I’ve been doing my nails since 1988, and French was the most requested style by my clients, and then J.Lo—who was [known as] J.Lo at that time—she saw my work and wanted the pinks and whites she had seen in her salon in Manhattan.” At a red carpet event in 1999, Jennifer Lopez asked Gerstein to make a soap for her, and she ended up making headlines.
From there, the look reached the concert halls. “Barbra Streisand is known for her long nails, often round or almond shaped, and she used to wear a thick white French tip that became part of her signature beauty look,” says Jin Soon Choi, nail artist and brand founder, of what she remembers as one of the most memorable French manis. Its popularity even reached Buckingham Palace, where it became Princess Diana’s nail art.
As with all trends, however, people are tired of the French manicure. Let’s go back Seduction office in the early 2010s—remember, you’re a fly on the wall, listening to the editors put the magazine together. “2010 was a time when you had to fight to get nail art in a magazine,” Panych recalls making the case for nail art in the print pages. “It was definitely the focus on nail art — and the idea of nails as an art form — that helped steer the conversation away from being ugly.” The French manicure managed to make a comeback, gaining real traction before the global shutdown—and it continues to be a staple.
The French manicure has evolved with the times and survived the weariness of the trend, because it is flexible. However, today the look is not about having nails that match every outfit. Choi says it best: “The French manicure [of 2026] you feel fresh, creative, and ‘whole.’ It’s about playful interpretations, tonal pairings, and unexpected textures.” Ahead, artists interpret the look of 2026.
