The French Pedicure Got a Glamorous Update for Summer 2026

Reported by Vogue.

Your toes are having a moment. Not in a quiet, understated way — in a Kylie Jenner posting feet content from Turks and Caicos way. The French pedicure is officially back, and according to Vogue, celebrity nail artists Milly Mason and Harriet Westmoreland are both calling it as the defining foot look of Summer 2026. Jenner's vacation shot said everything: square toenails, classic French design, silver tips catching the light against white sand.

If you somehow need a refresher — the French pedicure works exactly like its manicure counterpart. A soft pink or nude base, a clean white "smile line" at the tip, finished with a glossy top coat. Mason describes it as "the perfect balance between timeless and modern" — chic enough for a dinner reservation, relaxed enough for a pool deck, and genuinely compatible with every sandal you already own. It's the rare nail look that requires zero coordination.

But It's Not Your Mother's French Tip Anymore

The version making its way across feeds right now is considerably more interesting than the spa menu staple you grew up with. Mason notes that the French pedicure "has evolved far beyond the traditional look," and the range of variations proves it. We're talking micro French (barely-there tips), deep French (bold, graphic lines), the frombé (a gradient spin on the classic), chrome and metallic finishes, pastel colorways, rainbow tips, glitter, and full nail art hybrids. The base color, the tip color, the line width — all of it is now negotiable.

The category is essentially an open brief. You could do a '90s-inspired French in warm ivory and taupe, or go full summer with a strawberry French in red and white. A milky French — translucent, soft, barely-there — is the perfect under-the-radar option for anyone who wants polish without commitment. Chrome and metallic versions (see: Jenner's silver tips) lean into the maximalist direction without requiring actual nail art skill.

The French pedicure's second act is smarter than its first — more range, more personality, and just enough elevation to feel deliberate rather than default. Sandal season has a new standard, and your toes deserve to meet it.

Read the original at Vogue.