Key Takeaways
- Known as the “baby” French manicure, the micro French is a sleek take on traditional French tips that the stars have been loving lately.
- While it takes a bit of practice to get your French tip this thin, it can certainly be done.
- Allow your base to dry for a good while, then go in for the tiny tip with a thin striping brush or silicone nail stamper.
Even if you have the same wine order anywhere you go—the same vintage, the same maker, etc—your enjoyment can vary greatly depending on the glass you’re sipping out of. Imagine someone handing you a pour of Petit Chablis in a colored mason jar. Or, heaven forbid, a pint glass?! The vibe of your afternoon just plummeted—a shame, because your outfit was perfect.
On the other hand, let’s say you see a freshly polished Riedel making its way across the room to you. You know you’re in for a treat—and so does your server. They saw your manicure, so reflective of the beverage they’re bringing your way, and marked you as soigné right off the bat.
You know the look I’m talking about, right? Its the classic, the chic, the dainty: the micro French manicure, which is basically the nail art equivalent of sipping a nice white from a wafer-thin glass. Ahead, discover everything there is to know about the style—including how to get it yourself.
@corinnabianca/Instagram
The Trend
Also known as the “baby” French manicure, the micro French is a sleek take on traditional French tips that the stars have been loving lately. We’ve seen it on the hands of Hailey Bieber, Margot Robbie, Michelle Monaghan, and Bella Hadid—all women with taste who I’m sure know their way around a wine menu.
Like a normal set of Frenchies, the style is typically characterized by a neutral, pinky base coat and white tip. But this time, that tip is thin as can be, painted on in a barely there line by the steady hands of your nail artist (or you, if you’re feeling brave).
How to Get the Look
While chatting with Byrdie earlier this year, LeChat Nails educator Syreeta Aaron suggested starting your micro French manicure with a base coat similar to your natural nail color. Allow your base to dry for a good while, then go in for the tiny tip with a thin striping brush or silicone nail stamper.
@nailsbyzola/Instagram
For a micro French manicure she designed for Bieber, nail artist Zola Ganzorigt used one coat of OPI’s Passion, a neutral nude pink, for her base. The tip featured the brand’s iconic soft white Funny Bunny.
With that done, all you have to do is make sure you’re holding your wine glass in such a way that your mani can be seen. Just be careful not to break anything while getting the pose right—if you have the right strengthener routine, your nails will be far less fragile than that precious crystal.