Pink French nails are a classic and timeless look. Many variations on this manicure style can add a touch of flair to any outfit.
Whether you’re fully committed to Barbiecore or just curious about the trend, these cute nail ideas will inspire you to get your pink on!
Spring
The beginning of spring brings a new freshness to the pink French manicure. From the bright and fun Orly Fancy fuchsia to the soft Barbie pink that is Orly Secret Garden, many shades bloom during this season.
In the spring, celebrities are usually seen wearing pastel pink. For example, singer Lizzo recently wore a rosy pink Barbie ombre French manicure on the red carpet at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards. Her glam team made the look even more feminine with a fuschia smokey eye and a Barbie pink lip.
The color pink displayed at right is known as the web color deep pink on computer screens. It is a darker shade of pink, with more purple tones than pink itself.
Summer
The summer is the season of pink. From the pink and white French manicure of Greta Gerwig in Legally Blonde to the bubblegum color of the latest Hermes handbag, pink is the most vibrant during the summer.
While the color has been coded for femininity since childhood, feminization was especially pronounced during the 1970s when it became associated with Barbie culture. Against this backdrop, popular music began to embrace the rebellious aspects of pink. Hip-hop and punk used the color as an emblem of a counterculture sensibility. Rappers wore neo-preppy pink polos, and Japanese brand A Bathing Ape became famous for using pink camouflage for men.
Nicola Peltz Beckham’s soft pink take on the Barbie French manicure demonstrates how pink can be both high-fashion and lowbrow, frilly and punk. And it’s a shade that can be worn year-round. Try a glass of Garrus Rose this summer with grilled vegetables, steamed salmon, or caviar. Delicate in appearance, this wine is a serious rose with concentrated flavors of peach, dried apricot, tangerine, and marzipan.
Fall
The fall season is all about darkened versions of classic shades. Whether you’re looking for something more warm-toned or cool-toned, there are plenty of options. This berry pink is a great option for those who want to go neutral with a twist, according to Galdina Jimenez, celebrity nail artist and education manager of OPI North America.
Aside from its resemblance to a roll of toilet paper, this is one of Essie’s best-selling shades because it evokes a sense of depth and richness that feels appropriate for the autumn. It’s also the perfect shade to wear with a stack of gold rings!
Unlike Barbie pinks, Essie Kisses&Bises is more iridescent than shimmery. The color will look good layered over a solid base shade like Orly Fancy Fuchsia.
Wedding
The wedding season is a special time, and brides always want to add that extra touch of elegance to their look. The pink French is a perfect option for brides as it gives a classic and elegant look while adding the perfect amount of white. If you are going for a bolder look, you can add glitter or studs to your manicure and even change the shape of your nails.
This year, many brides are choosing to coordinate their look with their bridal party, with colors like terracotta, burnt orange, and blush pink being popular. These color palettes work well with the pink French manicure and will help to compliment the shades in your bridesmaid dresses.
Another popular choice for weddings is a barely blue color scheme. This color is soothing and creates a sense of peace and serenity. It can be incorporated into your flowers, centerpieces, and other bridal accessories. The barely blue color works well with the pink French and helps to create a peaceful vibe to your day.
Lastly, a berry pink French is perfect for fall or winter weddings. It is a deeper shade of pink and reads more mauve than baby pink. It also complements the earthy tones in your floral arrangements, table decor, and other bridal accessories. The berry pink French is a great way to highlight your ring finger while still keeping the rest of your nails simple and elegant.
Prom
Prom season is all about looking glam, so why not go the extra mile and rock a pink French manicure with a glaze-chrome topper? This look is easy to achieve and the perfect complement to a sleek burgundy or red prom dress (bonus points for a dress with strappy details, cutouts, or a high slit).
Forget about flower corsages – try this stunning pink nail art instead. It’s easier than it looks and will get your pink French nails all the attention on the dance floor. Apply a gold glitter polish to your tips, then use a thin nail tool to drag the glitter upward towards your cuticle for a gorgeous gradient effect. Top with a clear top coat to keep the glitter in place, and you’re good to go.
In the ’90s, pink was all the rage for prom makeup – whether it was full-on bubblegum or a more natural, “romantic” look like Courtney in 1999’s 10 Things I Hate About You. Regardless of the shade, rosy makeup always looked best on girls with light skin tones – especially when paired with a bold red lip.
