It’s safe to say that as a whole, we’ve no shortage of kitschy nail trends — think the “junk nails” and “vagina” nails, to name a few — but the latest has to be our favorite yet. “Naked” nails are here — and yes, they’re as sexy as they sound, but probably not for the reasons you’re thinking. In fact, this trend is all about a stripped-down look with minimal polish (or none at all).
The hashtag #nakednails has more than five million views and counting on TikTok, with videos from thousands of users confirming that we are officially in our “naked-nail era.” Celebrities are starting to adopt the look; even fictional fashionista Carrie Bradshaw is a long-time naked-nail stan.
If all of this has you questioning, “what is a naked manicure?” Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Ahead, we chat with two nail experts who break down everything to know about naked nails, including what they are and how you can achieve the trend at home.
What Are Naked Nails?
A naked manicure is when your nails look how they would would naturally — but better. “We saw the early phases of this trend take root with the rise of the ‘invisible’ manicure,” Tenoverten founder Nadine Abramcyk says. “People have grown an appreciation for natural nails, the equivalent to the no-makeup look.”
Rather than loading on excess amounts of polish, gel, or acrylics, people are looking to get as minimal as possible. “The ‘clean girl’ aesthetic is still very much top of mind, so people want to show off their healthy, natural-looking nails as part of the look,” CND co-founder Jan Arnold says.
Not only does the trend look good, but it’s good for your nails as well. Dermatologists have warned against the potential side effects of wearing gel or acrylics too often and have even suggested “nail cycling” as a way to put the pause on nail damage. “Taking a break every eight to 10 weeks allows the repair of the nail matrix, which is found under the nail cuticle and contains stem cells where new nails are formed,” Kunal Malik, MD, board-certified general and cosmetic dermatologist, says. “Aggressive practices when it comes to gel or acrylic manicures, such as increased pressure upon removal of the nail, can irreparably damage the nail matrix.”
How to Get Naked Nails at Home
If you’re ready to embrace the look, Arnold says that the key to a perfect naked manicure is to first make sure your nails are in great health, so you should aim to moisturize and condition your nail beds and cuticles daily. “I love using the CND Solar Oil ($10) as part of my night-time routine before bed because it’s a blend of jojoba, vitamin E, rice bran, and sweet almond oils, which penetrate the skin quickly and help prevent the nail plate and cuticle from getting dry and brittle,” she says.
If your nails are damaged or need a little TLC, Arnold recommends using the CND RescueRxx ($21), a daily keratin treatment that can help strengthen the nail plate with continued use.
Once you’ve got a healthy blank canvas to work with, you’ll want to cut and file the nails to your desired length and shape. Both Arnold and Abramcyk agree that shorter, trimmed nails are a key component of the trend, but in reality, the shape and length are entirely up to you. Abramcyk recommends using The Buff Plus ($12) if you want your nails to glow without polish, but if you’re a polish lover through and through, start out with a nail primer like the Tenoverten The Rehab ($18), and then follow up with a shade like the CND Vinylux in Negligee ($7, originally $11), a sheer nude.
If you’re on board with the naked manicure trend, keep scrolling for some inspiration.
This dual-sided stick is brilliant at gently pushing the cuticle and getting to hard-to-reach places with the flat-sided end.
This 6-in-1 nail file is a great way to get all of the grits in one handy file. Just be careful using sides 1 and 2, as these are best used for artificial nails.
Step 2: Nail polish
You can either stop at nail filing (particularly if you’ve achieved that shiny buffed nail) or add some nail polish to finish off the manicure. The type of polish you go for really depends on your preferences. but these are four that I love for giving that barely-there, your-nails-but-better finish.
This beautiful milky shade is sheer with a single coat but more opaque with two or three coats.
This polish is from Manucurist’s Active range (designed for a no-manicure manicure) and has a gorgeous sheer-pink base with iridescence that glistens as it catches in the sun.
This 2-in-1 formula gives your nails a strengthening base (helping prevent breakage) whilst adding a berry-tint.
It wouldn’t be a neutral nail inspiration piece without Dior Nail Glow on the list. This is the ultimate healthy manicured hand addition; it gives a hint of pink that gives the nails a high shine without looking overly ‘done’. It’s also the perfect base for a French manicure ahead of adding that crisp white tip.
Step 3: Hydration
Finally, you can’t finish a manicure without drenching the nails and hands with hydration. This is the best way to keep your nails looking and feeling in the best shape. Be liberal with cuticle oil and apply hand cream.
By far this is the best cuticle oil out there. Give your nails a generous coating of this before bed and your cuticles will wake up happy and healthy.
L’Occitane Hand Cream is also a classic product that I recommend to everyone (and use myself nightly). Slather on a thick layer before bed and your hands will feel cocooned and moisturised the next day. It’s more expensive than your average hand cream, but it’ll last forever—trust me.
