Black French Tips Are the "It" Manicure for Winter — Try One of These 25 Ideas

French tips are forever a clean and classic look. Traditionally, they include a white, curved tip that mimics the shape of the nail atop a sheer pinky-nude base. If you want this design without going too conventional, you can switch things up with black French tips.

"A French tip manicure is one of my favorite nail looks. It’s simple, yet cool, and you can play around with any color and combo that you want to achieve different vibes," says celebrity manicurist Brittney Boyce. "It gives the look an edge! It’s also less harsh than a full black nail look."

If you want to give black French tip nails a try, browse 25 inspo pics below to get some ideas percolating.

1. Graphic Black Tips

If you were a fan of Kim Possible, this neon-green-and-black combo will instantly remind you of Shego, the show's super-cool villain. If not, just enjoy this edgy manicure accented by graphic black French tips.

2. Separated Squiggles

"We love making the French tip the design element by keeping the base sheer or clear, which also elongates your nails,” says Alva.

3. Classic French

Simple and clean, this look features a think black French tip with a sheer base. It's the most delicate option on this list.

4. Thick French

If you want a french tip with more weight, you can make the tip thicker. “To achieve the look, I used Aprés Nail’s Soft Gel Builder in a Bottle to get a natural, clean base and then used the Aprés Nail’s French Manicure Gel in shade French Black for the design," says nail artist Sonia Sanchez.

5. Asymmetric Tips

“These French tips are more asymmetrical to flow in nicely with the rest of the design,” says Sanchez. “It’s the perfect look that screams elegance and pairs nicely with dainty jewelry! To get the look, I again applied the Soft Gel Builder in a Bottle and completed the look with Aprés Nail’s French Manicure Gel in French White and French Black!”

6. Abstract Tips

These black tips have a pop of red on one side to add some dimension. The look is taken a step further with the addition of pink abstract blobs.

7. Blinged Out

Make black French tips super dramatic by putting them on duck-shaped nails. The super-wide shape of the tip provides lots of room for some serious bling.

8. Short & Square

If you want to add another layer of edge to a French manicure, you can do it on a square-shaped nail. The sharp edges of the tip contrast the delicate shape of the art.

9. Overlapping Tips

Overlapping shapes are a fun way to add interest to a French tip. In this look, black and white are used to create this two-toned look.

10. Moondust Tips

Add some glitz to a black tip by using an iridescent polish. This one reflects light in a way that picks up tones of blue, green, and red.

11. Pink Crocodile

Crocodile has become popular for nail art because it's super easy to replicate. This look uses a baby pink shade to create the croc print on these black French tips.

12. Snakeskin Tips

Furthering the reptile theme, you can add a snake-print effect to a few of your nails to make your black French tips even more interesting.

13. Metal French

This look was created using two CND polishes, Negligee, a pale pink, and Powerful Hematite, a deep shimmery pewter that reads black.

14. Down the Middle

Complete the half-and-half look in a more straightfoward way by just splitting the tip down the middle.

15. Spooky Accents

Black French tips are the perfect base for your spooky manicure. This adorable look was painted with three Lights Lacquer polishes, including Tuxedo Mask, Dream St., and Hide the Rum.

16. Midnight Sparkle

This look uses a single French tip to add some air to the shimmery and saturated polish. It was created using Lights Lacquer polish in the shade Clueless, Tuxedo Mask, and City of Stars.

17. Swirled Ghost Tips

Another ghoulish look, this one features a mix of black and white French tips and one nail with swirled ghost etchings.

18. Glossy Coffin Tips

If you want the French tip look without the negative space, you can paint your whole nail black and then do a matte coat on the base of the nail and a glossy coat on the tip. This design makes these coffin nails look sick.

19. Glossy Almond Tips

If you love the dual-finish effect but want a bit of a softer look, you can do it on almond-shaped nails instead of coffin. Because the nail is shorter in this example, the tip is also thinner.

20. Christmas Tips

Halloween isn't the only holiday that can make use of black French tips. This Christmas design is anchored by black French tips to complement a burgundy cable-knit pattern and nutcrackers.

21. Abstract Tips

If you want the look of a French tip in a way that's less precise, you can make the tips wavy and different on each nail. The matte top coat finish just feels right.

22. V-Shaped Tips

You can also change up the look of French tips by making them angular instead of round. The sharp look is enhanced by the coffin shape of the nail.

23. Two-Toned Statement

These nails have the same pattern on each hand — a mix of French tips and squiggles — but the polish color is different. One hand is white while the other is black.

24. Spooky Tips

These Halloween black French tips are insanely cool. Festive patterns (spider webs, moons, and ghosts) are painted on both the top and underside of the tips. What's more: They're painted onto a thematic gradient base that goes from nude to orange.

25. Chrome Accents

This look keeps it simple with black French tips with tiny chrome accents. They're super clean and make a bold statement.