Beauty Nails Black French Tips Are the "It" Manicure for Winter — Try One of These 25 Ideas By Kara Jillian Brown Kara Jillian Brown Kara Jillian Brown is the Beauty Editor of InStyle. She began her career at Well+Good, where she spent five years evolving from Editorial Intern, to News Writer, to Beauty Writer. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English rhetoric from Binghamton University and a master’s degree in health and science journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. She is also a certified fitness instructor and teaches barre in Brooklyn. InStyle's editorial guidelines Updated on October 13, 2023 @ 09:48PM Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Instagram:@PINKBUNNYNAILZ / @KLAWSBYSONIA French tips are forever a clean and classic look. Traditionally, they include a white, curved tip that mimics the shape of the nail atop a sheer pinky-nude base. If you want this design without going too conventional, you can switch things up with black French tips. 30 French Tip Nail Designs to Elevate Your Manicure "A French tip manicure is one of my favorite nail looks. It’s simple, yet cool, and you can play around with any color and combo that you want to achieve different vibes," says celebrity manicurist Brittney Boyce. "It gives the look an edge! It’s also less harsh than a full black nail look." Meet the expert Brittney Boyce is a celebrity manicurist and founder of press-on brand Nails of LA. Mabelyn Alva is a manicurist and the creative director of Painbox. If you want to give black French tip nails a try, browse 25 inspo pics below to get some ideas percolating. 1. Graphic Black Tips @merlin_nails If you were a fan of Kim Possible, this neon-green-and-black combo will instantly remind you of Shego, the show's super-cool villain. If not, just enjoy this edgy manicure accented by graphic black French tips. 2. Separated Squiggles "We love making the French tip the design element by keeping the base sheer or clear, which also elongates your nails,” says Alva. 3. Classic French Simple and clean, this look features a think black French tip with a sheer base. It's the most delicate option on this list. 4. Thick French If you want a french tip with more weight, you can make the tip thicker. “To achieve the look, I used Aprés Nail’s Soft Gel Builder in a Bottle to get a natural, clean base and then used the Aprés Nail’s French Manicure Gel in shade French Black for the design," says nail artist Sonia Sanchez. 5. Asymmetric Tips @nails_of_la “These French tips are more asymmetrical to flow in nicely with the rest of the design,” says Sanchez. “It’s the perfect look that screams elegance and pairs nicely with dainty jewelry! To get the look, I again applied the Soft Gel Builder in a Bottle and completed the look with Aprés Nail’s French Manicure Gel in French White and French Black!” 6. Abstract Tips @pinkbunnynailz These black tips have a pop of red on one side to add some dimension. The look is taken a step further with the addition of pink abstract blobs. 25 Simple Nail Designs for a Subtly Stunning Manicure 7. Blinged Out @pinkbunnynailz Make black French tips super dramatic by putting them on duck-shaped nails. The super-wide shape of the tip provides lots of room for some serious bling. 8. Short & Square @pinkbunnynailz If you want to add another layer of edge to a French manicure, you can do it on a square-shaped nail. The sharp edges of the tip contrast the delicate shape of the art. 9. Overlapping Tips @pinkbunnynailz Overlapping shapes are a fun way to add interest to a French tip. In this look, black and white are used to create this two-toned look. 10. Moondust Tips @pinkbunnynailz Add some glitz to a black tip by using an iridescent polish. This one reflects light in a way that picks up tones of blue, green, and red. 11. Pink Crocodile @pinkbunnynailz Crocodile has become popular for nail art because it's super easy to replicate. This look uses a baby pink shade to create the croc print on these black French tips. 12. Snakeskin Tips @pinkbunnynailz Furthering the reptile theme, you can add a snake-print effect to a few of your nails to make your black French tips even more interesting. 13. Metal French @lolo.nailedit This look was created using two CND polishes, Negligee, a pale pink, and Powerful Hematite, a deep shimmery pewter that reads black. 14. Down the Middle @nailsbymaki.nyc Complete the half-and-half look in a more straightfoward way by just splitting the tip down the middle. 15. Spooky Accents @disseynails Black French tips are the perfect base for your spooky manicure. This adorable look was painted with three Lights Lacquer polishes, including Tuxedo Mask, Dream St., and Hide the Rum. 16. Midnight Sparkle @disseynails This look uses a single French tip to add some air to the shimmery and saturated polish. It was created using Lights Lacquer polish in the shade Clueless, Tuxedo Mask, and City of Stars. 17. Swirled Ghost Tips @disseynails Another ghoulish look, this one features a mix of black and white French tips and one nail with swirled ghost etchings. 18. Glossy Coffin Tips @disseynails If you want the French tip look without the negative space, you can paint your whole nail black and then do a matte coat on the base of the nail and a glossy coat on the tip. This design makes these coffin nails look sick. 19. Glossy Almond Tips @klawsbysonia If you love the dual-finish effect but want a bit of a softer look, you can do it on almond-shaped nails instead of coffin. Because the nail is shorter in this example, the tip is also thinner. 30 Almond-Shaped Nail Designs to Try 20. Christmas Tips @klawsbysonia Halloween isn't the only holiday that can make use of black French tips. This Christmas design is anchored by black French tips to complement a burgundy cable-knit pattern and nutcrackers. 21. Abstract Tips @klawsbysonia If you want the look of a French tip in a way that's less precise, you can make the tips wavy and different on each nail. The matte top coat finish just feels right. 22. V-Shaped Tips @klawsbysonia You can also change up the look of French tips by making them angular instead of round. The sharp look is enhanced by the coffin shape of the nail. 23. Two-Toned Statement @klawsbysonia These nails have the same pattern on each hand — a mix of French tips and squiggles — but the polish color is different. One hand is white while the other is black. 24. Spooky Tips @klawsbysonia These Halloween black French tips are insanely cool. Festive patterns (spider webs, moons, and ghosts) are painted on both the top and underside of the tips. What's more: They're painted onto a thematic gradient base that goes from nude to orange. 25. Chrome Accents @klawsbysonia This look keeps it simple with black French tips with tiny chrome accents. They're super clean and make a bold statement.