nail art: fresh takes on a classic

(Cross-posted from the Birchbox Blog – go check them out!!)

French manicures have been a nail salon staple for ages. The traditional pink and white look isn’t quite a fashion faux-pas, but it can still feel pretty dated, especially for the style-minded gal. Here are a few ways to pay homage to the classic design while adding a fun, modern twist.

Saturated Statement Colors: There’s nothing stuffy about a French mani in edgy, on-trend shades. You can use a circular reinforcement sticker to create a perfect line, but I like to go freehand. For better control, try creating several short vertical lines across the tip of the nail rather than one long horizontal stroke. I turned to the Fall 2012 Pantone Color Report for seasonal inspiration, settling on two coats of Kure Bazaar Afrika with a cobalt blue tip in Nails Inc. Baker Street.

Seeing Spots: For a whimsical look, dip the end of a paper clip, Q-tip, or dotting tool in polish to create a line of polka dots across the tip of each nail. This works well on short nails like mine since the look doesn’t require much of a nail tip.

Glossy vs. Matte: Have you tried a matte top coat yet? If not, run, don’t walk! Try Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Flatline or Essie Matte About You  to give any polish a matte finish in an instant. For this subdued yet unexpected French, I added a matte top coat to the bottom portion of my polished nail, leaving the tip glossy to create a contrasting finish.

Chevron French: Painting chevron stripes onto the tip of each nail is an on-trend way to jazz up this traditional mani. I began with Cult Nails Mazo, a light nude with gold shimmer. Starting with my lightest purple polish, I made two angled lines to create an upside-down ‘V’ shape at the tip of my nail. I continued with two additional polishes until I was happy with this modern take on a classic.