To refer to a French manicure as a nail trend is, quite frankly, ridiculous. It’s possibly the most classic nail look of all time, and one of those manicures that never goes out of style. The timeless combination of crisp white tips with a nude base is returned to time and time again by nail artists, but as we head into autumn, we’ve spotted that many are switching out those iconic white tips for something more seasonal. Enter: the black French manicure.

Providing the same understated look that makes the original manicure so enduring, the darker tips of the black French mani simply give the whole look a little more edge. “Black tips work particularly well for autumn because they complement darker clothing, leather, tailoring and all those richer seasonal textures,” explains award-winning nail artist Max Estrada. “You still have the sophistication of a classic French manicure, but the black gives it a little more drama and attitude.” Plus, the darker colour palette feels particularly fitting for autumn when deep burgundies, chocolate browns and moodier hues tend to dominate both manicures and pedicures.

Even better, the versatility of the original French manicure remains. An ultra-fine black tip will appeal to minimalists, while a thicker or more graphic tip is perfect for those who prefer a more experimental manicure. Plus, you can play around with the base colour, from milky nudes to tonal shades, depending on how classic or modern you want your final black French manicure to be.