Don’t get me wrong, I love a fun nail design just as much as the next person, but after a week or so, I’ll often look down at my snowflake-emblazoned manicure and suddenly feel the need for a reset. That’s when it’s time to turn to old reliable, aka a neutral nail. And right now, the biggest trend in the classic mani category is soap nails.
Despite the name, soap nails don’t actually require any special polishes or an actual cleanser. The term refers to the ultra-clean, freshly washed look, and the manicure itself is surprisingly easy to achieve. It all starts with meticulous prep: neatly groomed cuticles and buffed nails to create a smooth, even base. From there, apply a soft pink, creamy white, or neutral polish, then finish it off with a high-shine top coat for that squeaky-clean shine.
The result is glassy and hydrated, mimicking how your skin looks after using a luxe and lathering soap. Nail artists have dubbed the trend “your nails but better,” since it enhances the look of your natural nail—it’s essentially the equivalent of a no-makeup makeup look for your fingers.
Not to mention, soap nails are easy to DIY at home, and far more budget-friendly at the salon compared to intricate cat-eye or 3D nail art. Plus, when your nails grow out or chip, it’s far less noticeable. So if you're ready for your next neutral manicure, find the best soap nail inspiration and the polishes to help you achieve the chic manicure below:
The best soap nail polishes:
OPI Nail Lacquer in Bubble Bath
Gelcare Nail Polish in Nude Bb Cream
essie Jelly Gloss Polish in Charm to Stable
Manucurist Active Smooth Nail Polish
Soap nails inspo:
Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.
