Pillbox nails are the retro twist on French tips – here are 40 designs to try

Fancy a funky French tip with a retro twist? Pillbox nails might be the style for you…

Characterised by two-tone colour blocking that splits each nail horizontally, pillbox nails take their name from the classic capsule shape. The result is a playful, highly customisable take on the traditional French manicure.

Nail lovers are getting creative with the contrast between each half, pairing metallic and magnetic finishes with opaque cremes and sheer shades to create eye-catching combinations. Another popular approach is to use the same shade across both halves, but switch up the texture or finish. For example, a cat eye gel polish can be applied to both sections, with the magnetic particles drawn in different directions to create a clear distinction between the two halves.

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A design that rose in popularity over the summer months, pillbox nails are now becoming an autumn staple, with deeper, richer colour palettes giving the trend a seasonal update.

Let’s take a look at some of the ways pillbox nails can be styled…