The American Manicure Is Fall’s Chicest Nail-Art Trend, According to J.Lo’s Manicurist

Pale-pink nails topped with arcs of stark white along the tips have long been known as a French manicure. After briefly falling out of favor, the classic look has fully had its revival, and nail artists have started to tweak it with patterns, brights, and creative color schemes. These fun twists now have a new name in the nail-art world: the American manicure. 

Well, I take that back. The moniker isn’t actually new, but it’s taken on a new definition. Manicurist Tom Bachik first heard of the American manicure back in the ’90s after graduating from nail school. (Now you can catch him decorating the tips of Jennifer Lopez, Selena Gomez, and Olivia Rodrigo.) At the time the American manicure was basically a French manicure with tips painted a less intense white with a more natural, skin-tone-flattering base. “A great way to achieve this was to polish the white first, then apply the neutral shade over the whole nail, including the white,” Bachik recalls. “It softened the look.”

Back then, Bachik also heard people referring to monochromatic French manicures as American manicures. For example, baby-blue nails with navy-blue tips. In both cases, he believed the term was a marketing tactic in the ’90s. However, with nail art trends sprouting on a daily basis in 2021, thanks to social media, calling alternate takes on the classic French manicure an American manicure just makes sense. 

These days American manicures are mostly done with subtler tones, nail artist Lolly Koon tells Allure. A sheer, natural-color base—or simply a clear coat—is painted on to look more like the actual nail. This change also flatters each individual’s complexion in a more subtle way than the striking pink of traditional French manis, Bachik explains. 

As for the tips, manicurists often reach for a creamy, off-white polish for the latest American manicures. He most recently graced the nails of Lily Aldridge with the look for the 2021 Met Gala (as seen above), as well as J.Lo’s for a fashion event in Venice.