You already know jelly nails—now, get ready to meet their equally sugary and sweet sister, syrup nails. Syrup nails are a super shiny, very juicy manicure style that’s pretty similar to jelly nails, but the color is just a little more muted. You can also think of them as “a continuation of the ‘milk nails’ trend, except glassier and more transparent,” says nail artist Sonya Meesh.
Now, with so many sheer manicures out there (soap nails, milky rosé nails, the aforementioned jelly nails...the list goes on!), what sets syrup nails apart from the rest? Think of them this way: If you dripped syrup onto your nails, that reflective, glossy color is what you’re trying to emulate with your nail polish. Simply put, they “are one of the juiciest trends of summer,” says nail artist Sigourney Nuñez. “They’re fresh, low-maintenance, and perfect for anyone who loves a subtle pop of color.” Wanna try syrup nails for yourself? Check out some of our best tips for getting the look below, and then keep scrolling for tons of syrup nails inspo pics.
How to create syrup nails
Syrup nails, like a lot of the other sheer nails out there, are super versatile. This means getting the look couldn’t be easier for you. First up: nail shape and length. “I personally love a shorter nail, but it’s also fab on longer extensions or longer natural nails,” says Meesh. So it’s totally up to you. “I think one of the reasons syrup nails have been trending so much is because they look good on any shape or length,” adds Nuñez.
Next up: nail prep. If you’ve ever tried sheer nail polish before, you know how important it is to prep. “Since syrup nails are translucent and lean on that glass-like finish, clean cuticles and a smooth nail surface can really complete the look,” says Nuñez. “I’d recommend gently pushing back cuticles from the nail plate, shaping the free edge to the desired shape, and cleansing it to remove any debris.”
Once you’re all set with prep, it’s time for the star of the show, nail polish. A word to the wise: “Never skip a base coat to prevent staining and always seal with a top coat for longer wear,” recommends Nuñez. For syrup nails, “It’s all about layering jelly shades,” she adds. “By design, these types of polishes are translucent so you get to build up the opacity with each coat.”
In a pinch? If you don’t have a syrupy nail shade and you’re feeling crafty, you can make your own “by mixing an opaque color to your top coat,” says Nuñez. “I’d do a 1:3 ratio and mix as you go so you can discover the level of opacity.” Now that you know what to do, check out some syrup nail looks below for inspiration:
Syrup nails inspo
Meet the experts
- Sigourney Nuñez is a licensed nail artist and content creator based in Los Angeles who works with Nails.INC.
- Sonya Meesh is a celebrity nail artist from New York City who works with DND Gel.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Catharine Malzahn is a contributing beauty writer at Cosmo. She’s covered (and tested) all things nails, from the coolest new polish colors to cuticle and nail care trends. For this story, she tapped two nail artists for their expertise and recommendations for syrup nails and found inspo photos from salons, celeb nail artists, and polish brands.
Catharine Malzahn is a contributing beauty writer at Cosmopolitan and was previously the beauty assistant at Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day, and Prevention.
