6 Reverse French Manicure Ideas For Ultimate Nail Inspo

When it comes to manis and pedis, there's nothing quite like the French manicure. It's iconically classic and, as you might be surprised to learn, not at all French. In fact, the natural base with the white tip is a color scheme that was created by Jeff Pink, the president and CEO of Orly International, in 1975.

"The directors would complain about how long it would take to change the nail colors on the actresses to match their wardrobes for different scenes," Pink told Who What Wear. "They asked me to make a color that would go with everything. I thought of using white polish on the tips of the nails. I used it on the tips of nails, then put a flesh-toned polish over it." It didn't take long for the trend to explode amongst celebrities, with non-celebrities also vying for it. Eventually, French manicure kits hit the market, so anyone could create the look at home.

Since then, the French manicure has seen many incarnations. From the deconstructed French manicure trend to the floating French manicure, and so many versions in between, Pink created a phenomenon that would become so much bigger than his original idea. One of those iterations is the reverse French manicure in which the strip goes at the base of that nail against the cuticle, as opposed to along the tip. It's just as fantastic as the old-school version but in a completely different (read: reverse) way.

No matter your age, you're never too old for all things that sparkle. Of course, glitter polish is nothing new and neither is the glitter French manicure, but putting a twist on a classic by flipping it on its head, so to speak, is a fun way to shake things up. While you can't go wrong with a neutral base color and silver glitter polish along the cuticles, it doesn't mean you can't play with colors. For example, two contrasting glitter colors aren't just eye-catching but make a bold statement that says you're committed to the trend. 

If you love the deep French tips manicure but want to try it in reverse, then here's all the inspo you need. Instead of sticking to a thin line along the cuticles, the triangular shape gives this manicure an intense look — and the red color choice helps with that too. The shape also makes the fingers appear longer, perfect for those who wish they had a couple of extra centimeters in finger length. 

Whether you're leaning into the muted pastel nail trend or you're celebrating Pride, rainbows are always a fun option for manis. When they're used in reverse French manicures, they breathe new life into the traditional idea of rainbow manicures and become an important accessory to every outfit you wear. After all, having every color of the rainbow on your fingers means you're always color coordinated. 

Even if you're not a fan of watermelon, you have to admit this manicure not only does the reverse French manicure proud, but the accent nail takes it next level. The accent nail, which became popular in the late 1990s, is also a nod to the Y2K fashion trends that we're not quite ready to abandon just yet. While this manicure is ultimately an ode to watermelons, that doesn't mean you can't explore other fruit-related options with your manicure. Slices of lemon, oranges, limes, or even kiwi can make for delicious-looking summer nails. 

Considering how far we've come in manicure and pedicure artistry, why should you — or anyone for that matter — have to choose between an icon and its updated sister look? You shouldn't. If you love the reverse French but don't want to give up the classic version, then go for both. Ultimately, this means you're working with three colors, so while this particular mani is fairly subtle regarding the shades being used, you don't have to be. You can go totally overboard and let yourself get carried away with bright colors, glitter, 3D nail charms, and whatever else tickles your fancy. 

If you love the idea of clean lines against a natural background but also want to shake those lines up, then neon and other bold choices are what you want. In choosing a natural background, those colors will really pop.

No matter how you choose to style your reverse French manicure, the most important thing is that you have fun with it. There's no right or wrong way to rock it, so don't ever think you need to play it safe with your manicure.