- The “naked manicure” is a minimalist nail look embraced by celebrities like Jennifer Aniston and Taylor Swift.
- The style requires careful prep (filing, buffing, cuticle care, nail treatments), followed by sheer or milky polish layers topped with gloss, cuticle oil, and hand serum for hydration.
- Naked nails are timeless, versatile, and flattering on natural nail shapes, offering a polished “your-nails-but-better” effect.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been a neutral nail girl. Sure, I veer off the baby-pink path from time to time, but I always circle back to clean-looking nails, especially as I get older. And I guess that’s a good thing since minimalist manicures are having a moment (yet again). This season, they're being dubbed "naked manicures."
Beloved by celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, Nicola Peltz-Beckham, Taylor Swift, and Julia Fox, naked mancures are understated and whisper sophistication rather than shouting it. So, what exactly does a naked manicure entail, and how can you achieve it? Keep reading to learn everything about this timeless nail look.
What is a naked manicure?
The naked manicure is a barely-there nail style that echoes the look of natural-looking nails. According to Julie Ventura, ORLY's Global Education Manager, the trend stems from the need to give nails a break with a back-to-basics approach. “Consumers are more conscious than ever of nail health since so many have experienced damage from improper use of nail products,” Ventura says. “They’re opting for a more minimalistic look like this one,” she says. Think of a naked manicure like no-makeup makeup, but for the nails and hands.
The effortless-looking manicure, which is anything but boring, incorporates sheer and ultra-milky whites, pinks, creams, nudes, and beiges, or even a layer or two of glossy, clear polish. “By utilizing light, neutral shades of nail polish, the manicure mimics the look of clean, healthy nails for an understated finish that feels timeless,” says celebrity nail artist Erica De Los Santos. “It’s all about enhancing the natural beauty of the nails.”
Equally important as the nails is the condition of the skin on your hands, which should be well-hydrated and nourished to prevent dry, flaky, irritated, and peeling skin, as well as hangnails, which can distract from the manicure.
Nail length is also key for this ‘your-nails-but-better’ mani. They should be short to medium length, boast blurred ridges, and have no signs of discoloration. De Los Santos says naked nails are most flattering on natural nails with a soft almond, square, round, or oval shape, for a sophisticated and elongated look.
How to do a naked manicure:
The effortless-looking manicure may seem simple, but it involves multiple steps. For starters, the nails, nail beds, and cuticles must be meticulously groomed and trimmed since the manicure reveals nails at their healthiest and most refined state, according to Townhouse founder and creative director Juanita Huber-Millet. “Strong, well-cared-for nails are necessary, while hydrated hands and nourished cuticles elevate the overall effect.”
Step 1: Prep
Ventura recommends first filing the nails into a uniform shape and length and then pushing back the cuticles to minimize dead skin on the nail plate. Next, clean underneath and around the nails to remove any dirt, debris, or oil, and then lightly buff the nails so that the polish adheres better. Applying a nail treatment, such as Epres EpHD, a strengthening base that also repairs the nails from within, is also a good idea.
Step 2: Polish
Once the nails are prepped and primed, it’s time for polish. “Pick a sheer shade that complements your skin tone,” De Los Santos says. An all-in-one nail perfector like Orly Nail Retouch gives a soft-matte, blurred finish in one to two coats. Or, go the traditional nail polish route and layer on a base coat, one to two coats of sheer polish, and a glossy topcoat. Always finish with cuticle oil and a hand serum, once the nails are dry to the touch, for extra hydration.
4 naked nail colors we love:
OPI Nail Lacquer in Bare My Soul
Dazzle Dry Nail Lacquer in Mind Your Mani
Dior Nail Glow
Essie Nail Polish in High Maintainence
Step 3: Maintain
To keep your naked mani looking clean and fresh, regularly hydrating your hands with a rich cream is a must. Our pick: Prada Hand Cream. Ventura suggests applying nail oil frequently to help keep the nails flexible so that the polish doesn’t chip. “This also helps prevent hangnails and dry skin around the nails.”
How to dress up a naked manicure:
There are ways to dress up a naked manicure while still staying true to its clean girl roots. Huber-Millet likes adding a chrome finish on top for a luminous sheen. You can also add a layer of micro shimmer polish for a soft, glazed look or consider a milky jelly polish for a high-shine, translucent look.
The bottom line:
The goal of a naked manicure is perfectly groomed nails that boast the slightest hint of bare color. Perfect for wearing year-round, naked-looking nails are like the equivalent of a basic white t-shirt, making them a classic, versatile, must-have staple manicure.
Elise Minton Tabin is an award-winning beauty journalist, editor, and expert with 20 years of experience. She started her career in public relations before shifting to editorial. Elise rose the ranks at NewBeauty magazine from an editorial assistant to Executive Beauty Editor, overseeing and reporting on all things beauty, plastic surgery, anti-aging, health, and wellness. A prolific content creator and trendspotter, Elise always knows what’s new, what works, and who’s the best to go to for treatments and procedures. She contributes to media outlets including InStyle, NewBeauty, The Zoe Report, Byrdie, Beauty Independent, The Aesthetic Guide, Bazaar, and more.
