Addison Rae's Micro-French Manicure Is Adorable Short-Nail Inspo
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When you hear the words “French manicure,” visions of long almond, square, or stiletto nails with a sheer pink or nude base and a thick white or off-white tip probably pop into your head. That’s definitely the traditional definition of a French manicure, a forever go-to on the red carpet and a mainstay at nail salons. But it’s not the *only* kind of French manicure, as pop star Addison Rae so perfectly proved with her sweet new French twist. Turns out the trending micro-French manicure looks every bit as good on short nails too.
Manicurist Natalie Minerva, who works with stars like Rae and Demi Lovato, crafted the mini micro French for the “Aquamarine” singer, keeping Rae’s natural nails short and painting the slimmest strip of bright white on the tip of each nail for a defined but subtle look. According to Minerva, the magic of a micro French manicure is all in the prep work, and spending a little extra time perfecting your nail is worth every second for the final result.
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“The key to a micro French is to first make sure your nail shaping is sharp and the edges are buffed with a buffer,” Minerva tells Allure of her mani method. After doing the necessary prep, she reaches for a thin liner brush and paints white polish along the edge of the nail for that razor-thin tip. “It makes my job easier to be more precise if I really make sure my manicuring is done right ahead of painting.” Lately, Minerva favors using just one coat of a “more sheer nude” base like OPI’s Bare My Soul, the shade she used on Rae. “It gives the look of a natural nail but slightly more polished.” Looking at Rae’s nails, you can barely tell Minerva used a base color at all; her nails look completely bare save for a glimmer of shine.
The French manicure is never gonna go out of style, but lately some of our fave nail trendsetters have embraced its slim-tipped cousin, including Hailey Bieber and Jennifer Lopez, who recently wore a micro French so micro, it was almost invisible. While white tips are the classic go-to, wouldn’t this mani style look adorable with a pretty pastel or bright, summery cobalt blue or hot pink? So many possibilities, so many mani appointments to make!
More celeb manis to check out:
Now, watch Rachel Zegler get ready:
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5 of July 2025
