It’s impossible to open social media—whether Instagram, TikTok, or Pinterest—without seeing a striped manicure. This pattern, once thought reserved for a few nail artists, is making a major comeback: fine, graphic, super versatile… striped nails have it all. We put together a complete guide to break down the trend, help you choose your colors, and give you the best tips for a flawless finish. Grab your fine brushes, let’s go!
Striped manicure: what is it exactly?
Driven by 90s nostalgia and spotted on Kylie Jenner, who started the trend, they perfectly embody what we love today: easy-to-create nail art with an instant creative twist, like polka dot nails.
The power of a striped manicure? Its complete versatility. It comes in sleek black & white, romantic pastel gradients, vibrant neon-bright shades, festive glitter, or even a futuristic Twisted French manicure. A well-prepped nail, an even base color, a few well-controlled lines, and voilà: nail art that works in every season, for every style, and on all nail shapes.
Stripes made waves in 2025, from French manicures on Kylie Jenner to neon versions
(@nailsbyzola, @tombachik)
How do you do a striped manicure?
If striped nails are so popular, it's also because they are accessible to everyone. No need to be a seasoned nail artist: with the right tools and a few simple steps, you get a modern manicure with bold design. We’ll guide you step by step.
1. Prep your nails: the game-changing step
Before drawing a single line, give yourself every chance with a well-prepared natural nail, the secret to a successful manicure. Just a few steps are all it takes to prepare your nails:
- File your nails for a clean, polished shape.
- Care for your cuticles: soften the small bits of skin with a little cuticle softener and gently push them back to clear the nail plate.
- Lightly mattify the surface using the preparation file to optimise adhesion of the polish layers.
- Apply your Base Coat Green™ or Green Flash™ according to your chosen routine.
Because a properly prepped surface ensures cleaner, straighter, and longer-lasting stripes.
Nail preparation set and liner brush: your essentials for a striped manicure.
2. Draw stripes with a fine brush
Start by applying the polish that will serve as the “backdrop” for your striped manicure. Apply your base color in a thin coat (plan for 2 coats for richer color) and let it dry thoroughly in the open air for regular polish, or cure under a UV/LED lamp for gel polish.
Then grab the essential tool for striped nail art: the liner brush. Thanks to its ultra-fine tip, it lets you draw clean, precise and even lines, which is what makes striped manicures so beautiful. Our tips for perfectly straight stripes:
- Pick up a small amount of polish: too much product makes the line bleed and ripple.
- Draw your line in one smooth, relaxed motion (inhale, exhale).
- Start with thin lines: they are more forgiving and look super chic. Horizontal, vertical, or diagonal—the choice is yours!
- If you need help drawing straight lines, you can use nail guide stickers to help direct your brush.
Once you get the hang of it, you’ll see—it’s almost addictive. And don’t forget to let it dry completely before moving on to the next step.
3. Seal the stripes with top coat
For a professional-looking finish, don’t overlook the final top coat layer. Top Coat Sunshine (over Green™ polish) or Top Coat Green Flash™ guarantees intense shine and long-lasting wear for your stripes. You can also play with contrasts using the matte-glossy mix technique: apply a coat of Top Coat Mat over the base colour (in Green™ polish), then draw the stripes with a mirror-effect polish.
The most beautiful striped manicure variations
Striped manicures can be tailored to any mood. To inspire you, here are the trendiest variations.
Black & White stripes: the timeless graphic look
A white polish base Snow and black stripes Licorice: in vertical or diagonal stripes, this signature duo works in every season and with every outfit. Simple, clean, ultra-chic.
Striped French: the twisted French manicure
A pink polish base Hortencia and black and white stripes Snow & Licorice: the buzzworthy combo that revisits the classic French manicure with fine graphic stripes. The result is elegant, modern and easy to wear every day. Ideal for those who want a subtle twist without leaving the clean, structured aesthetic of the French manicure.
In Black & White or as a twisted French Kylie Jenner-style, embrace couture stripes.
(@nailsbyzola)
Pastel stripes: soft and fresh
A white base with Snow and pink stripes Pop, or a blue polish base Lilas and white stripes Snow: a fresh manicure, perfect for spring, that suits minimalist looks or more romantic moods thanks to the beautiful delicacy of pastel shades.
Neon stripes: concentrated energy
A white base with Snow and orange stripes Abricot: a vibrant twist, ideal for energising a monochrome outfit or complementing a pop look. Neon shades pair beautifully with a white base to maximise contrast and create magnetic effects.
Thin or thick, pastel or neon, stripes bring summer manicures to life.
(@look8thenails)
Glitter stripes: stripe celebration
A brown-red polish base with Bohème and glittery red stripes Utopia: the perfect combination for evenings out, celebrations or days when you feel like sparkling. Glittery stripes add an irresistible festive touch.
Multicolored graphic stripes: the arty option
Pair several shades such as Pale Rose, Snow, Crème, Clove, Chestnut, Indian Summer… Vary the stripe thickness, layer the lines, break the rules with horizontal stripes: you’ll get a very contemporary “graphic arty” effect with a distinctive, original colour palette.
Glitter or multicolored stripes, let your creativity flow.
(@ellzabethm, @shanivynails)
Which striped manicure fits your style?
Stripes are the true chameleons of nail art. They adapt to anything… but above all, to you. A striped manicure also has the advantage of adapting to the seasons: pastels or neons in spring and summer, metallic colors or black & white in autumn and winter. An easy way to switch up your style while keeping a signature graphic base.
For a minimalist / clean girl look
Choose a nude polish base (Pale Rose or Hortencia) and add fine stripes in neutral or dark shades (Rose Mountbatten, Anthracite, Midnight, Aubergine or Clove). The result: a delicate, effortlessly chic manicure that never feels boring. The finish is delicate, structured and ultra-versatile: ideal for everyday wear, the office or completing a capsule wardrobe.
Match Midnight, Hortencia, Rose Mountbatten, or Pale Rose stripes for very chic, clean girl nail art.
For a Pop / Y2K look
A fan of Britney, low-rise jeans and the 2000s? Have fun and dare: on a white base, add bright, neon and ultra-contrasting stripes. We love Neon Pink, Lava, Fizz or Ultramarine. The effect is on-trend, girly and fun!
Play with contrast by daring stripes in Fizz, Snow, Neon Pink, or Crème.
For chic workwear
Want to experiment with nail art while sticking to a professional dress code? Go for a black & white striped French manicure or an Active™ Bright duo as a base & chrome stripes (with Metallic or Bronzé) for a subtle, elegant twist. Perfect nail art to add a creative touch to a professional outfit without ever overdoing it. For work events or important meetings, choose fine stripes for a sophisticated, polished effect. Subtle yet stylish.
For subtle, stylish workwear, opt for chrome stripes with Metallic, Active™ Bright, or Bronzé.
For an arty look
For artists and the bold, anything goes: eccentric nail polish shades, asymmetrical designs, unexpected pairings—striped manicures break all the rules! Mix textures (opaque, chrome, glitter), vary thicknesses, and layer lines to create a unique design on each hand.
Our expert tips for a crisp, long-lasting look
While a striped manicure is pretty simple to achieve, there are still a few rules to follow for an optimal, pro-level result.
❌Mistakes to avoid
Some pairings don't work well together and can ruin the clarity of the stripe (and its charm):
- Colors that are too similar, like white and nude, which lack contrast and create a blend-in, tone-on-tone effect.
- Neon color duos that “vibrate” too much and make the stripe look blurry.
- Imbalanced cool and warm mixes, like Lilas and Coral Reef, whose undertones clash.
✅Top tips to keep in mind
This is where the magic happens: with a few simple tips, your stripes get a major upgrade.
- Play with contrasts: light shade over dark, dark over light… Contrast structures the line, creates perspective, and boosts crispness.
- Vary thickness and texture: thin vs. wide stripes, opaque color vs. glitter or chrome polish… By playing with textures, you add dimension and turn a simple stripe into a true design.
- Add effects with top coat: a matte top coat offers an arty, ultra-modern finish, while a glossy top coat delivers an impeccable mirror shine. Changing your top coat completely changes the look of your manicure! After all, the devil is in the details.
With a striped manicure, you can’t go wrong: thanks to its great versatility, it suits every mood, season, and style, no matter your nail shape or skin tone. With a little practice and subtle color choices, a striped manicure is within reach for everyone. Ready, set, stripe! 🖊️🌈
