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 launched the trend, they perfectly embody what we love today: nail art designs that are simple to create with an instant creative twist, just 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, set yourself up for success with a well-prepped natural nail—the secret to a flawless manicure. It only takes a few steps to prep your nails:
- File your nails for a clean, neat shape.
- Care for your cuticles: soften small bits of skin with a dab of cuticle softener and gently push them back to clear the nail plate.
- Lightly buff the surface with the prep file to optimize polish adhesion.
- Apply your Green™ Base Coat or Green Flash™ Base Coat depending on your chosen routine.
Because a properly prepped surface ensures cleaner, straighter, and longer-lasting stripes.
Nail Prep Set and liner brush: your must-haves 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.
Next, grab the essential tool for striped nail art: the liner brush. Thanks to its ultra-fine tip, it lets you draw crisp, precise, and even lines, which is what makes a striped manicure 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 salon-quality finish, don’t skip the final layer of top coat. Sunshine Top Coat (over Green™ polish) or Green Flash™ Top Coat ensures intense shine and long wear for your stripes. You can also play with contrast using a matte-gloss mix: apply a coat of Matte Top Coat over the base color (in Green™ polish), then draw stripes with a mirror-shine 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 with Snow and black stripes with Licorice: in vertical or diagonal stripes, this signature duo works in all seasons and with every outfit. Simple, clean, ultra-chic.
Striped French: the twisted French manicure
A pink polish base with Hortencia and black and white stripes with Snow & Licorice: the trending 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 while keeping the clean, structured aesthetic of a French.
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 with Pop, or a blue polish base with Lilas and white stripes with Snow: a fresh manicure, perfect for spring, that goes with minimalist looks or romantic moods thanks to the gorgeous delicacy of pastel shades.
Neon stripes: concentrated energy
A white base with Snow and orange stripes with Abricot: a vibrant twist, ideal to brighten up a monochrome outfit or complement a pop look. Neons pair beautifully with a white base to maximize 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 sparkly red stripes with Utopia: the perfect pairing for evenings out, parties, or days when you want some sparkle. Glitter stripes add an irresistible festive touch.
Multicolored graphic stripes: the arty option
Combine several shades like Pale Rose, Snow, Crème, Clove, Chestnut, Indian Summer… Vary stripe thickness, layer strokes, break the rules with horizontal stripes: you get a very modern “arty graphic” effect with a unique, original color 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
Opt for 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's never boring. The finish is delicate, structured, and ultra-versatile: perfect 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
Fan of Britney, low-rise jeans, and the 2000s? Have fun and go bold: on a white base, add bright, neon, ultra-contrasting stripes. We love Neon Pink, Lava, Fizz, or Ultramarine. The look is trendy, 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 staying within the office dress code? Opt for a black & white striped French or a duo of Active™ Bright as a base & chrome stripes (with Metallic or Bronzé) for a subtle, elegant twist. Perfect nail art designs to add a creative touch to workwear without overdoing it. For professional events or important meetings, choose thin 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! 🖊️🌈
