The French manicure never really leaves, but every so often someone gives it a reason to trend again. This time it is Jennifer Lopez, and her version is all about softness.

JLo has been spotted wearing what beauty editors are calling a cloudy French: a nude base with a hazy white tip that blurs into the nail instead of sitting on top of it in a crisp line. Cosmopolitan UK has already crowned it autumn's most elegant manicure.

Who created Jennifer Lopez's cloudy French manicure?

The look comes from Tom Bachik, Jennifer Lopez's longtime nail artist, according to Cosmopolitan UK. Bachik shared a series of images of the manicure on Instagram from her latest outing, writing "Nobody does it like @JLo," and adding, "Jen's Dolce & Gabbana looks were spectacular."

Cosmopolitan also published another look at the manicure from September 30, in a Getty Images photograph, showing the same soft, diffused finish.

JLo's relationship with the French tip is not new. Over the years, outlets including Glamour and Allure have covered her translucent French and her micro French manicures. The cloudy version feels like a natural next step: still clean and polished, but with the edges softened.

What exactly is a cloudy French?

In a classic French manicure, a bright white tip sits against a sheer nude or pink base with a clearly defined smile line. The cloudy French keeps the same two-colour idea but removes the hard edge.

As Cosmopolitan UK describes it, rather than a stark white tip against a nude base, the two shades almost melt into one another, creating a slightly cloudy, almost airbrushed effect. Think of it as the French manicure seen through a soft-focus lens.

That softness is the whole point. It can give nails a lit-from-within look, can make the nail bed appear longer and avoids the slightly retro feel that a stark white tip can have. It also grows out more gracefully, because there is no sharp line to draw attention to new growth.

Why it works for autumn

Cosmopolitan makes the case that the cloudy French is gloriously versatile. It works with pretty much any outfit or occasion, moving from the office to dinner and from jeans and a T-shirt to something more dressed up.

The shape matters too. JLo keeps it classic with a soft almond, per Cosmopolitan, which flatters most hands and suits the gentle, blended finish. But the look also works on longer shapes, all the way to an extra-long stiletto, if you want more drama.

JLo is also not the only star on board. Cosmopolitan notes that Pamela Anderson recently swapped her usual bare nails for the same diffused French finish. With two famously different beauty personalities embracing it, the trend has range: it reads as both understated and glamorous depending on how you style it.

How to ask for JLo's cloudy French at the salon

If you want to recreate the look, a few pointers will help your nail tech get it right.

Start with the base. Ask for a sheer nude or soft pink that matches your natural nail bed, so the finish looks like your own nails but better.

Next, the tip. Instead of a painted white crescent, ask for a white or soft milky tip that is blended or diffused downwards. Techs can achieve this with a sponge, a soft brush or an airbrush, depending on the salon. The key phrase is "no hard smile line."

Then the shape. A soft almond, like Jennifer Lopez's, is the most flattering starting point and the closest match to the inspiration photos.

Finally, the finish. A high-shine top coat ties everything together and adds to the glassy, glowing effect.

Bring a reference photo of JLo's manicure from Tom Bachik's Instagram so there is no confusion about how soft the blend should be.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Jennifer Lopez's cloudy French nails?

They are a soft take on the classic French manicure, with a nude base and a hazy white tip that blends into the nail for an almost airbrushed effect, created by her longtime nail artist Tom Bachik.

What nail shape does Jennifer Lopez wear with her cloudy French?

According to Cosmopolitan UK, she keeps it classic with a soft almond shape, though the look can also work on longer shapes such as stiletto nails.

Which other celebrities wear the cloudy French manicure?

Cosmopolitan UK reports that Pamela Anderson also recently wore the same diffused French finish, swapping her usual bare nails for the look.

Cover photo: Everwest / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0