Once upon a century, naked nails were considered dull. After all, in a world filled with thousands of nail designs – coquette nails, iced coffee nails, and even duck nails – why would one want to forego all the glitz and glam in favor of pared-back, low-maintenance natural nails?
According to TikTok, if you want to look like the epitome of luxury or are just sick of going to the nail salon and sitting for hours to get a gel manicure, that’s precisely what you do.
Here, in 2024, celebrities like Zendaya, Tracee Ellis Ross, Issa Rae, and thousands of TikTok girlies have made a case for what has been dubbed the ‘naked nails trend,’ the ‘Nonicure,’ ‘the rich girl manicure,’ or ‘the clean girl aesthetic.
But is it here to last? And how can you get the look? ECT investigates below.
What Are Naked Nails?
View this post on Instagram
The naked nails trend is all about giving your manicure a natural, polished look. It’s like wearing a no-makeup makeup look but for your nails.
It’s a nail cleanse, where you take a break from the acrylics, gel, and heavy polish and instead opt for a more minimal, elegantly buffed, and effortless aesthetic – hence the correlation to the clean girl aesthetic.
The trend was first coined by @syndeyv.nichols on TikTok, and it resulted from the sheer disdain for sitting at the nail salon.
‘I am so sick of going to the nail salon every two weeks to sit and get a gel manicure,” Syndey says in the video. “I decided in January that unless it was a special occasion like a work meeting or a wedding, I was going to rock naked nails.’
@sydneyv.nichols #stitch with @alix earle the financial and time investment of a biweekly gel mani omg #nakednails #manicure #summertrends ♬ original sound – Sydney
Not only do naked nails look classy, but they’re also good for your nail health. Recent studies caution against the potential damage to the nail bed from frequent use of gel and acrylics and the associated risk of cancer from UV exposure during gel manicures.
Taking breaks every 8 to 10 weeks allows the nail matrix, located beneath the nail cuticle and containing stem cells responsible for new nail growth, to repair itself,” explained Dr. Kunal Malik, MD, a board-certified general and cosmetic dermatologist, to PopSugar.
‘Aggressive practices during gel or acrylic manicures, such as applying excessive pressure during nail removal, can cause irreversible damage to the nail matrix.’
How To Get The Naked Nails Look
Naked nails mean a natural, barely-there, or color-free nail base. So, if you opt for a completely polish-free look, that’s one approach. Alternatively, you can use a clear coat or sheer polish for a subtle enhancement.
If you decide to go au naturel, experts recommend ensuring your nails are in optimal health. This involves keeping them well-moisturized and conditioning your nail beds and cuticles daily.
For your nail routine, always start with a cuticle softener like the Deborah Lippmann Exfoliating Cuticle Remover Nail Treatment ($22) that gently loosens and removes dead cuticle cells.
Next, to minimize damage, file your nails with a glass file like the Sephora Collection Reusable Glass Nail File ($5). If your nails and nail bed feel extra brittle, apply the Deboral Lippmann The Cure – Nail Cuticle Repair Cream Treatment ($25) that returns softness and moisture to roughed-up, dry cuticles.
A nail strengthener like the Deborah Lippmann Hard Rock Nail Strengthener ($22) can help strengthen, repair, and protect weak nails or those damaged by acrylics and gel.
Finally, finish your naked nails routine with a cuticle oil that nourishes your cuticles, promotes healthy nail growth, and protects skin from dehydration, like the L’Occitane Strengthening Shea Nail and Cuticle Oil ($22).
Oh, and don’t forget to protect your nails and fingers with SPF as you would with your face and body. It helps safeguard them from UV rays and keeps them looking healthy. Supergoop! Mini Hand Cream SPF 40 ($14) is our favorite.
If completely skipping polish feels too fast, there are still many shades to choose from that fit the naked nail bill.
Some of these include:
The Best Naked Nails Polish
If you’re an avid polish lover, always start with a nail primer like Prep Max Adhesion Primer ($4), then follow up with a fortifying nail polish like the OPI Nature Strong Natural Origin Base Coat ($13).
You can then go in with one of these naked nails shades:
OPI Bare My Soul, $12
The barely-there nude polish is a naked nails mani marriage made in heaven for natural nails.
Dior Glow Nail Polish, $32
The iconic, spectacular, and ultra-glossy nail polish enhances your naked nails look with an instant French manicure effect.
OPI Put It In Neutral, $12
The perfect neutral for low-maintenance manicures, this soft beige-pink nail shade can take the wheel. It is a Zendaya-approved look and is the ultimate naked nail look.
Mischo Beauty A Beautiful Life, $21
The soft milky white is everything for the girlies obsessed with the clean girl aesthetic or who want to achieve the rich girl look this summer.
Dazzle Dry Mind Your Mani, $22
The pale, barely-there nude with pink undertones is everything you want for a naked nails finish.
Now that you’ve got the naked nail shades on check, are you ready to see the ‘naked nails trend’ in action?
Scroll on to find our favorite naked nails inspiration and get ready to take a screenshot.
The Classiest Naked Nails Ideas For Summer
Sheer Naked Nails
View this post on Instagram
Short Naked Nails
View this post on Instagram
Clear Naked Nails
View this post on Instagram
Naked Disco Nails
View this post on Instagram
Minimalistic French Rich Girl Nails
View this post on Instagram
Nude Naked Nails
View this post on Instagram
Ombre Naked Nails
View this post on Instagram
Nonicure Pink
View this post on Instagram
Long Naked Nails
View this post on Instagram
Polish Free Naked Nails
View this post on Instagram
Glazed Donut Naked Nails
View this post on Instagram
Lip Gloss Naked Nails
View this post on Instagram
Which naked nail design will be rocking this summer?
Let us know in the comment section below.
