17 Square French Nail Ideas for a Trendy Manicure (2024)

17 Square French Nail Ideas for a Trendy Manicure (1)

It's no secret that fashion trends ricochet from year to year, decade to decade. And the same is true of popular beauty statements, particularly nails. Currently, alongside the obsession with almond-shaped nails, we have the Y2K square nail resurgence. While these nails can be painted any which way, there's something to be said about keeping it classic (yet modernized) with a French manicure.

Unconvinced? Keep reading to uncover over a dozen square French manicures that you're bound to want to experiment with in the weeks and months ahead.

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Monochrome White Square French Mani

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Sure, French manicures typically feature white tips. But who said they can't also showcase a white base? We love the contrasting allure of this sheer-meets-opaque mani.

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Red Nautical-Inspired Square French Manicure

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Red remains one of the year's most popular colors, making this tomato-tinted square French mani a must in our books. The little gold nautical charms—the Cirque Colors Coquille Charms ($10)—make it even more, well, charming.

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Pink and White Art Deco-Inspired Square French Mani

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Art Deco and pink nails are trending, so this mash-up square French mani is a no-brainer. If you have a steady hand, you can trace the double white lines using a fine nail art brush like the Lights Lacquer Detail Brush Kit ($17).

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Shibori-Inspired Square French Tips

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These abstract faded dot nails remind us of the popular Shibori dye technique. The unique brown and turquoise color combo makes it pop even more.

Sunrise Illusion Square French Mani

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Illusion French tips always stop us in our tracks, so you can imagine how these sunrise square beauties just about broke our necks. The subtle warm shade shift and the dual finish are mani perfection.

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Gold Foil Square French Mani

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Give yourself a gilded gold mani with this foil square Frenchie. You can DIY it using the Lecenté Bright Gold Nail Foil ($8).

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Color-Block Squiggle Square French Mani

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This color-block squiggle square French mani has us dreaming of summer. The trick to creating it is starting with a base of French tips, and then going in with a fine-lining nail art brush to create the contrasting squiggles.

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Simple Brown Square French Mani

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No need to overthink your square French mani. Sometimes, it's as simple as picking an unexpected color—like chocolate brown—for your tips. Try it for yourself with the Olive & June CN Long Lasting Polish ($9).

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3D Bouquet Square French Tips

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Okay, this square French mani will definitely require pro skills to recreate. But for an end look like that, we say it's well worth it. Plus, how perfect are pink blooms for spring?

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Purple Ombré 3D Square French Mani

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Craving a color shift? Consider copying this fun, dual-finish 3D purple gradient mani. Look closely and you'll notice that the tips have embossed croc accents.

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Black and White Flame Square French Mani

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Flame nails are so hot. (See what we did there?) We love the nail art design on long square tips because it offers even more space to perfect it. (Don't have long nails? You can with the Aprés Gel-X Long Square Nail Extension Kit, $94.)

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3D Pink Ombré Square French Mani

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This pretty pink square French mani has a lot going on—a sheer jelly base, ombré color, and even wavy 3D accents. Of course, to recreate such a nail look, you'll likely have to bring this photo as inspo to your next nail appointment.

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Short Card Suits Square French Mani

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Square French manicures might look especially artistic on long nails, but here's proof that they work on short nails, too. How cute are these slim outlined Frenchies? You can recreate them at home with the Orly Half Moon Guides ($7), a fine-lining nail art brush, and SEO Poker Nail Art Stickers ($8).

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Matte Plaid Square French Mani

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This plaid square French mani looks like something Pookie would rock. While the design is undoubtedly festive, it could be updated with different colors to make it pop for spring or summer.

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Nude Dewdrop Square French Mani

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Speaking of summer, this nude dewdrop square French mani would be a hit. You can recreate it with the nude polish of your choice and artfully applied builder gel.

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Pastel Square French Mani

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A simple spring mani you can't go wrong with? A square pastel French. To make it look even more Easter-ready, create it with the ILNP Hatched Collection ($60).

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Tortoiseshell Square French Mani

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Tortoiseshell is as classic as French manicures, so this crisp tort nail look is about as timeless as it gets. You can tailor it to your personality by swapping out the outline color or switching the glossy finish for matte.