Try the Deconstructed French Manicure for a Fresh Take on the Classic Look

Everyone knows what a traditional French manicure looks like, but when you add the word “deconstructed” in front of the term, it sounds a bit abstract. But in this case, it is exactly how it sounds—the trend still focuses on the tip of the nail, but the possibilities are endless when it comes to the designs.

“The deconstructed French manicure is the modern take on the classic French manicure with a twist,” says Queenie Nguyen, celebrity and editorial manicurist based in Los Angeles. “Just like the classic, deconstructed French is great for grown-out nails and helps extend the wear of the overall manicure.”

While the classic French manicure is timeless and elegant, people want to switch things up, says Rafaela Faustino, owner of YARA beauty salon in New York City. “Clients have been asking for new interpretations of it by adding new shapes, chrome powders, and different colors to it," she explains.

Faustino adds that the deconstructed French manicure she’s been doing at her salon isn’t as bold as what may be seen in other places within the city, but explains that is the beauty of this current nail trend.

“It can fit any type of person,” she says. “From the most basic one to the most creative.”

The Many Varieties of a Deconstructed French Manicure

Since the possibilities are endless with deconstructed French manicures, there are many different variants to try, says Nguyen. “One can rock so many different nail art trends on just the tips of the nails."

Some examples can include something more simple like double French lines, ombré, or a slanted French, to the more edgy, like chrome, cat eye, and even contemporary art or animal print. Here are a few other interesting takes.

Texturized

Cat Eye

Shimmer

Heart-Shaped

Mermaid

Pastel

Geometric

How to Get a Deconstructed French Manicure at Home

These nails look pretty elaborate, but you can rock the look by doing it at home if you have the right tools.

Nguyen says if you’re looking for the right nail art supplies for this new trend, Amazon has plenty to offer, such as dotting tools, clean up brushes, different lengths of nail art brushes, polish remover, nail stickers, and rhinestones.

Social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram are good places to look for easy-to-follow tutorials for people to watch and recreate at home, Nguyen adds.

“I usually recommend going for something less intricate if you’re doing your own nail art to cover up imperfections easily,” Nguyen says. "Start with one hand at a time so that it’s not overwhelming and stabilize your non-dominant hand on the edge of the table so that you have more control of the nail art tools.”

With so many variations out there, it may seem difficult to determine which one to choose when doing it yourself, but Nguyen says there is one that may be the easiest to get started.

“I would say out of all the variants listed above, French ombré is probably the easiest to re-create at home. You can use a sponge to dab the polish at the tips of the nails to create the ombré look.”