I showed these fantastic nails to the beautician first, because they will soon become famous!

Photo: @nailsbymh.

There are few nail styles that have stayed in fashion as long as the classic French manicure. The secret? Their simplicity and elegance: a pure pink base with white tips that give it that perfect, neat, and refined look.

But this summer has brought a change, bolder nail styles, with lots of color and detail. And while polka dots, beach stripes, or Italian designs are all the rage, a modern take on the minimalist French manicure is starting to make an appearance: the glass French nail.

What are "French" glass nails?

Imagine the classic style, but instead of a solid white top, the tips take on a glass-like shine effect, with light-changing hues, like whimsical cat eyes. 

To achieve this effect, most people use a special "cat-eye" gel that creates that magical reflection. But there are other ways, you can replace the white tips with magnetic colors, gels or chrome that catch the light perfectly.

How to do it yourself?

Expert Michelle Humphrey advises to first apply a thin pink base, then use a magnet to create the arch that gives the cat's eye effect and finally add a chrome powder for extra shine. As for colors, soft golds, champagne silver and rose quartz go very well with summer, while darker and more stylish shades like hematite, deep green or sapphire give a mysterious atmosphere.

And if you're looking for inspiration, here are some of the most beautiful designs that are taking Instagram crazy; from bright pink tops with glitter, to shades of water and ocean with magical reflections: