This time last year, my manicure du jour was a ’90s-style deep French. Inspired by a Kylie Jenner selfie—long almond nails in full sight, painted by the always-trendsetting Zola Ganzorigt—the curved smile line took up almost a third of the total surface of each nail. As much as I loved the look, it was high-maintenance. When I complained to my nail artist, she suggested I try the micro-French instead.
Coined by nail artist Betina Goldstein, the micro-French style swaps a large swath of white for a barely-there flash of paint across the free edge of the nail. And while it isn’t quite new (and has been worn by Margot Robbie and Jennifer Lopez in the past), it feels fresh and new when combined with one of 2026’s biggest nail trends—a short, shaped nail.
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“Short, square nails with soft edges, also known as the squoval shape is incredibly sophisticated,” says manicurist Ana Martín. “This style is thoughtful without being overdone.” It’s a dream for those who love clean-girl nail art—even if you swap the white French shade with something more vibrant, it still comes off minimalist.
“The baby [or micro] is very flattering because it can make the nail appear longer,” celebrity manicurist Harriet Westmoreland has told Vogue in the past. She adds that clients typically come back again and again for the style because of both its fashion and functionality. “Since the base of the nail is very natural, you can leave more time between appointments.”
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