If French Tips Feel Dated, This Quietly Brewing Nail Trend Is the Perfect Alternative

There’s a time and place for a red manicure, and I’m always partial to a pale-pink nail, but the truth is that I opt for French tips at the salon more often than not. Whether I go for classic white, black or even something with colour, it’s a simple but elegant style that always leaves my nails looking put-together.

However, after trying what feels like literally every nail tip colour possible, I’ve been on the hunt for some fresh nail trends that feel just that little bit more elevated in time for my next nail appointment. My first port of call? My go-to manicurists, of course, and recently I couldn’t help but notice a new nail trend that’s just as elegant as your typical French tip but feels slightly more modern for 2026. Enter: soft French nails.

Much like the “soft serve” nails that dominated last summer, soft French nails incorporate a base coat with a blended French tip. It’s a slightly more blurred take on the classic French tip, but still remains more defined than the “frombré” trend, resulting in a mani that closely resembles healthy and well-maintained natural nails.

A nude base and milky white tip tend to be the most popular combination, but the truth is, this nail trend can be recreated with any two colours of your choosing. As a self-proclaimed nail minimalist, I’ll be sticking to classic nail colours to create an elevated French manicure while still keeping the overall look pared-back and elegant.