Simple does it.
Over-the-top nail art, neon colours and long talons are out – and now, in its place (yay,) is the ultra neutral, barely-there manicure – also dubbed the “no-manicure manicure” or “no-nicure."
That is right – natural is a vibe, and everyone from Hailey Bieber and Ariana Grande to Molly-Mae Hague and Maura Higgins has been spotted rocking neutral, healthy-looking, simple nails lately.
Sounds like your kind of nail trend? I know – us too.
Speaking to OK magazine, Juanita Huber-Millet, founder of luxury London nail salon chain
Townhouse, explains that the ‘no-manicure manicure’ is the nail take on the ‘clean girl’ aesthetic that is roaming the internet these days.
“It’s the nail equivalent to the natural, dewy makeup look – so looking super put together and natural, seemingly with minimal effort," Hubert-Millet reveals.
“The look starts with a super clean, simple and minimal manicure, so focusing on fantastic cuticle work and nail buffing to ensure that the nail beds are the star of the manicure,” she continues. “It’s then topped off with a sheer and subtle shade, or even just a top coat – there’s something so chic about having your bare, healthy nails shine through!”
How to DIY the 'no-nicure'
Want to try to nude nail trend yourself at home? The good news is that it could not be easier – all you need is some time and the perfect neutral shade. Oh, and soft, well-moisturised hands.
Cuticles
Make sure you take extra care around the cuticle. A good idea would be to do a gentle hand scrub, then rub in some cuticle oil and give yourself a hand massage, carefully pushing your cuticles back before applying polish.
File
Ideally, use a glass nail file, and this will be gentler on your nails. File gently until you have a soft, square/round shape, making sure not to go too far down.
Buff and base coat
Use a nail buffer to gently buff your nails before applying a base coat. This will help your polish go on smoother and last longer. Make sure to also finish with a top coat for a real shiny finish.
Best neutral shades
Lucky for us, there are tons of gorgeous, neutral nail shades out there to pick from, whether you prefer a light pink or love more beige tones.
Here are just some of the neutral shades we love and keep coming back to time and time again:
1. Essie Ballet Slippers
There is a reason this shade is an absolute cult buy and it's got everything to do with the late Queen Elizabeth, who would only wear this particular shade of pink nail polish – and declared it perfect for all occasions or seasons.
This soft and classic pink nail polish has a lovely subtle, sheer finish, and can also be used with Essie's Blanc shade to create a perfect French manicure.
€9.99,
Boots.ie
2. Sally Hansen Good Kind Pure in Rose Petal
Good. Kind. Pure. is Sally Hansen's first plant-based formula, free from nasties and 100 percent vegan. And having tested it, let us assure you it is nothing short of fabulous.
The range comes in many beautiful colours, all with the perfect shine, and if it is a neutral nail you are going for, you cannot go wrong with Rose Petal, the perfect light pink.
€11.99,
Boots.ie
3. Nailberry L'Oxygene Nail Lacquer Almond
A personal favourite, this award-winning nail polish glides on effortlessly and delivers long-wearing, high-shine colour.
I am obsessed with the Almond shade, the absolute perfect neutral that just makes my nails look healthy, glossy and perfect.
Oh, and did I mention the range is both vegan, cruelty-free and contains no phthalates including DBP, toluene, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, camphor, xylene, ethyl tosylamide, triphenyl phosphate, alcohol, parabens, animal derivatives and gluten.
Sounds fab? it is.
€16.95,
Lookfantastic.ie
4. Chanel Le Vernis DeNude
Yes, it is pricy, but this shade from the Chanel Le Vernis range is worth it.
Long-wearing, protective and with lasting shine, each coat offers an absolutely even and lacquered result, and I guarantee you you'll get lots of compliments on your perfect neutral nails.
€28,
Brown Thomas
5. Butter London Patent Shine 10X Nail Lacquer - Steady On
A cool nude crème shade, Steady On from Butter London is a regular nail polish with a gel-like patent shine finish.
And with up to 10 days of chip and fade-resistant wear, it is easy to get a flawless and professional look at home.
Another clean beauty favourite, the nail polishes from Butter London are also formulated without Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resin, DBP, Toluene, Camphor, Ethyl Tosylamide, Xylene, Parabens, Gluten or TPHP.
€19.50,
Thecleanbeautyedit.com
