Move over gels! There's a new (old) nail trend making a resurgence, and it's called the Japanese manicure – a technique with roots in Japan that dates back centuries. Got gel fatigue? This glossy reset is for you!
In a world of chrome finishes and hyper-real nail art, this is the minimalist's manicure: buffed, gleaming, and resolutely bare...
What is the Japanese manicure?
The Japanese manicure is a multi-step treatment that focuses on nourishing the natural nail rather than coating it. Instead of layers of lacquer, session and celebrity manicurist Sophia Stylianou tells us that "the treatment is designed to strengthen and improve the health of your nails using ingredients like beeswax and sea minerals." No UV lamps. No acetone soak-off. Just your nails, but better!
"Instead, the nails are gently buffed to create a smooth, glossy finish that looks naturally shiny and healthy," Sophia adds.
The effect is deceptively simple: healthy, slightly rosy nails with a mirror-like sheen. More crucially, however, it's also restorative. "One of the biggest benefits is that it nourishes and strengthens the natural nail without using harsh chemicals. The beeswax and mineral paste help restore moisture, reduce peeling, and improve overall nail condition," says Sophia. So, if gels have left your talons brittle and remorseful, this is the rehab programme for them.
And not only that, it's low-maintenance (the shine lasts up to two weeks), strengthens over time, and requires nothing more than cuticle oil to maintain. There's no chipping because there's nothing to chip. And because it enhances what you already have, grow-out is effortless and natural.
Everyone's clicking on...
In short, the Japanese manicure is nail care disguised as a high-shine mani. Work smarter, not harder, folks.
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Lia Mappoura (she/her) is the Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK, with over four years of experience reporting across the brand's print, social, video and digital platforms. Lia covers everything from emerging trend analysis to viral celebrity hair and makeup moments, making her an expert at spotting the season’s next big beauty look (before it takes over social media feeds).
In 2025, she was named The Rising Media Star at the Love Perfume Awards with The Perfume Shop, recognised for her outstanding digital fragrance content and for building genuine authority within the space. She is passionate about challenging outdated beauty stereotypes, championing inclusive representation in beauty, and educating readers on the trends, products and conversations shaping the industry today. Follow her on Instagram or find her on LinkedIn.
