French Nail Tips

Sandy Rowley
5 min readOct 26, 2023

History of French Tip Nails

The French manicure, known for its iconic white tip and nude or pink base, is a classic and elegant style that has been widely adored for decades.

Origins:

While named “French,” the origins of the French manicure are not definitively tied to France. In fact, many sources claim it was developed in the United States in the 1970s. The style was popularized by Jeff Pink, the founder of the nail polish brand Orly. Pink claimed to have created the look for Hollywood actresses to help them change their nail styles quickly to match their outfits. He then took the look to Parisian runways, and upon its success there, he coined the term “French manicure.”

Popularity:

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the French manicure became a hallmark of elegance and sophistication. Celebrities and everyday women alike embraced the trend. It has seen ebbs and flows in its popularity, but it has remained a staple in nail salons worldwide.

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