20 French Nail Ideas to Try in May, From Florals to Fruits (2025)

20 French Nail Ideas to Try in May, From Florals to Fruits (1)

There's just something about a classic French manicure that never goes out of style. The iconic and everlasting design has been beloved worldwide for generations, and for good reason: It's dainty, clean, and oh-so quiet luxury. Lately, there have been so many creative and avant-garde takes on the French mani, from chrome tips to ombré, and we are so on board. This May, take your French manicure to the next level with spring-inspired designs, including pastels and fruit-inspired looks. Scroll on for 20 of our top picks for the month.

01of 20

Sky Blue Florals

20 French Nail Ideas to Try in May, From Florals to Fruits (2)

You know what they say: April showers bring May flowers. This manicure brings that sentiment to life, with sky blue flowers that match our hopes for cloudless, clear skies all month.

02of 20

Lemon Drop Nails

20 French Nail Ideas to Try in May, From Florals to Fruits (3)

When life gives you lemons, get a lemon manicure. Or something like that. Citrusy, bright, and oh so much fun, some lemon nail art is exactly what we need in May.

03of 20

Cotton Candy French Tips

20 French Nail Ideas to Try in May, From Florals to Fruits (4)

This cute color combo makes us think of the sweet, summery, sugar-spun treat. Use a thin nail art striping brush to get the barely-there line detailing on the pointer and ring fingers.

04of 20

Pop of Cherry

20 French Nail Ideas to Try in May, From Florals to Fruits (5)

Cherries are everywhere this season, from our fragrances to our nails. This springtime design features a shimmery pink French tip with cute nail gems to create the cherries.

05of 20

Cheetah Tips

20 French Nail Ideas to Try in May, From Florals to Fruits (6)

We are—dare we say it—wild about these cheetah print French tips. But don't stop there: Add a little extra bling to the safari-esque look with fun gems or rhinestones.

06of 20

Classic Almond French Manicure

20 French Nail Ideas to Try in May, From Florals to Fruits (7)

The classics are the classics for good reason. Opt for a simple white and nude French manicure and modernize it with the ever-popular almond nail shape.

07of 20

Coquette Bow Nails

20 French Nail Ideas to Try in May, From Florals to Fruits (8)

These nails are the living version of the bow emoji. Could we be any more in love? Absolutely not. To get the look, attach 3D bow nail charms with some gel polish or nail glue. For a 2D look, simply draw coquette bows on your nails using a nail art brush.

08of 20

Barbie Pink French Mani

20 French Nail Ideas to Try in May, From Florals to Fruits (9)

A nod to the doll we grew up with and love, Barbie pink nails are nothing short of classic girlhood at its finest. Get the look using two polishes, like a hot pink and a baby pink. Or, if you prefer a more monochrome style, stick with one shade and embrace the Barbie girl.

09of 20

Tweed Nails

20 French Nail Ideas to Try in May, From Florals to Fruits (10)

Textured tweed nails are the definition of "didn't know we needed but are absolutely obsessed with." They perfectly match a fun tweed suit, and the hints of blue, pink, and yellow throughout make it a slam dunk for springtime months.

10of 20

Butter Yellow, With a Twist

20 French Nail Ideas to Try in May, From Florals to Fruits (11)

We won't be the first—or the last—to say butter yellow is all the rage right now. Add a little pop of color to your butter yellow nails by including a stripe of pink (or any other color you like!) at the base of the nail tip.

11of 20

Romantic Floral Tips

20 French Nail Ideas to Try in May, From Florals to Fruits (12)

How romantic is this forest-inspired floral design? Taking a totally different approach to the classic French manicure, the delicate flowers replace a solid color on the tips of the nails. We're swooning!

12of 20

3D Florals

20 French Nail Ideas to Try in May, From Florals to Fruits (13)

3D nail art is bigger and better than ever. Add just a touch of the trend to your May French mani by including a 3D flower (or multiple) on your nails. This design has us begging for a tropical escape ASAP.

13of 20

Hot Pink to the Max

20 French Nail Ideas to Try in May, From Florals to Fruits (14)

Double the hot pink, double the fun. Grab two of your favorite pink nail polishes (in similar hues) to get the look. If you're a French manicure beginner, try using a stamping tool to create that perfect crescent shape on the nail tip.

14of 20

Strawberries and Cream

20 French Nail Ideas to Try in May, From Florals to Fruits (15)

Sweet, juicy strawberries are a sure sign that warmer weather has arrived. We love this gentle stiletto shape with a simple French mani. If you aren't an expert with nail art yet, try applying fruity nail stickers instead of hand-drawing the design.

15of 20

Textured Snake

20 French Nail Ideas to Try in May, From Florals to Fruits (16)

If you really want to take your French manicure to the next level, incorporate this 3D textured snake pattern on your nail tips. The purple line art adds more depth and a great pop of color.

16of 20

Light Blue Flowery Detailing

20 French Nail Ideas to Try in May, From Florals to Fruits (17)

With a light blue floral detail on each French tip, this mani is all dressed up for springtime. Though we love it in blue, you can adapt it to your taste by making the flower any color you like, like lilac or mint green.

17of 20

3D Orchids

20 French Nail Ideas to Try in May, From Florals to Fruits (18)

There's nothing quite like florals in the spring. Take a different approach to the trend with this 3D orchid and a thicker French manicure tip. The simple white design draws your eye to the flower detailing.

18of 20

Shell-Inspired 3D French Mani

20 French Nail Ideas to Try in May, From Florals to Fruits (19)

An ultra-creative take on the French manicure, you might almost miss the French designs on these initially. We love the thicker tips, which provide more space to play around with 3D builder gel. The shell-like design has us yearning for summer beach days right around the corner.

19of 20

Burnt Orange Wispy Florals

20 French Nail Ideas to Try in May, From Florals to Fruits (20)

Whimsical florals on an orange background make for the perfect May manicure. Pro nail artists can create this look using their nail art brushes, and novices can get a similar look with floral nail stamping plates.

20of 20

Cosmic Tips

20 French Nail Ideas to Try in May, From Florals to Fruits (21)

Sparkly, ethereal French tips? Yes please. These out-of-this-world cosmic nails are a shimmering pastel dream.