Here at CF, we are obsessed with having cute nails at all times. Whether we’re going for an edgy black manicure, super cute nails, or a classy vibe, we love trying new nail ideas. And speaking of classy, it doesn’t get more elegant than a classic french tip manicure.

Everyone knows what a basic french manicure is — it’s kind of a “your nails but better” vibe. The nail bed is painted a light pink shade and the tip is painted white. The look is simple and classic and goes with everything.

But what’s the best way to rock a french manicure in 2022? Is the french mani still in style? We have the answers. Read on to learn more about french manicures and find the best french tip nail designs to try this year.

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Why Do They Call It a French Tip?

First, a little history lesson on the french manicure. You might be surprised at its origins — I was!

While we think of french nails as having been around forever, the look is relatively new. According to Women’s Wear Daily, the french manicure was invented in 1976 by ORLY founder Jeff Pink.

According to an interview with The National, Pink invented the manicure for film sets, when actresses needed a universal nail look that “looked good with every costume change.” He then brought the look to the Paris runways, and it was a huge success. He named it the “French Manicure” on his flight back to LA, and the name stuck.