A perfect match for Scandinavian minimalism, meet the Nordic's fresh take on the French nail
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The 1990s were arguably defined by two things: neon shell suits and the French manicure. While shell suits are thankfully still out of favour with the fashion pack, the French manicure has made a triumphant comeback despite its checkered history.
Our current love-affair with nostalgia is largely responsible for fuelling the trend, observes Swedish catwalk nail artist Frida Selkirk. “The French manicure is really hot right now as it leans on fashion from the 1990s and early noughties era. This time around, however, it’s a more finessed, understated look.”
Rewind 30 years and the French manicure involved long square-filed nails (real or acrylic) and white half moons that were heavily lacquered. It was as much of a statement nail as glossy red talons and often reserved for those off-duty stone-washed denim days.
The new-gen version, however, is a more pared-back affair – like a French manicure's cooler, low-maintenance baby sister – and nail artists are jumping on the trend, giving it a modern spin. Cementing the French manicure's fashion credentials, Hermès Les Mains Hermès Nail Enamel in Rose Porcelaine has become one of the brand's best-selling shades – proof if any were needed that an elongated nude pink nail bed elevates the look of your fingertips.
Celebrity manicurist Harriet Westmoreland arguably made the ‘baby’ French one of the biggest nail trends of 2021 in the UK. Applied to short and softly-tapered square nails, the sheer ballerina pink polish she favours is gossamer fine, still allowing the natural nail to peak through. Where once a thick matte white line sat, now delicate threads of glitter or multi-coloured pastel tips reign supreme.
Unsurprisingly, when model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley posted a picture of her freshly manicured nails by Westmoreland on Instagram, it caused a media frenzy.
Meanwhile in Stockholm, more and more clients are asking Selkirk for her Nordic spin on the French manicure, aka The Scandi Mani. “The Scandinavian version is clean-cut, mirroring the aesthetic of Swedish designer clothes and interiors,” she says. “It’s defined by a shorter nail and a really thin white smile line on the tip,” says Selkirk. “This makes the nail look super healthy, with a slender nail plate all the way to the end of the finger.”
That’s not to say that the minimalism detracts from any creativity. In fact, the opposite is true as there are different takes on this Scandi-French manicure. “The more adventurous client opts for a tending colour on the thin free edge or a more arty design,” Selkirk adds.
A creative take on the classic french mani by Frida Selkirk.
Part of the French manicure’s appeal is that the pinky nude base shade means you can go longer between nail appointments. But ultimately what we love is that, with a Scandinavian twist, it’s designed to look like your natural nail – just a chicer version.