When we think of the year so far – in nails, that is – there have been a few shades that have stolen the show. First, cherry cola, a jammy, refined dark red ruled the dark winter months of January and February. Then, as the weather turned and everything looked bright again, pastel hues like lavender, butter yellow and sky blue started to appear on fingers and toes. For people who like to chop and change, there are myriad options, from bright to light. For those who like a more natural nail, though, it can be hard to feel excited about another coat of something so minimal. Well, allow us to introduce you to five ways to spice up your go-to, care of some of the brightest and best in the industry today.
Soap nails
A viral trend that celebrities like Selena Gomez have tried out, soap nails are the next iteration of the ever popular clean girl aesthetic. Ultra-natural, the idea is to make it look as if the nails have been dipped in soapy water – hazy and soft with an almost wet-look, glossy top coat. Pink, peach, milky white, tan and nude shades are the most low maintenance, as regrowth can be easily concealed.
Natural reverse French
A discreet way to tap into the ever-evolving French manicure trend, this reverse style keeps the design at the base of the nail, rather than the tip. Celebrity manicurist Betina Goldstein opts for a brilliant shimmer paired with a sheer, high gloss base which feels fun without the intricacy of other nail art designs.
Camel nails
For minimalists who still desire depth, exploring the shades between lightest beige and camel can give a manicure more personality without needing to go very dark or very light.
Translucent pink nails
There’s never a year that pink nails aren’t in fashion. This year, though, there’s a way to update them – by adding a translucent, almost ethereal glow. You can do this yourself by lacquering polish with several layers of top coat or even mixing it into the colour.
Metallic micro French
If you’ve flirted with the idea of a micro French but found the overall effect too staid, this metallic version adds texture and shine that’s still well within the bounds of minimalist.
Modern pastels
Surprised to see pastel nails on the list of possible options? Well, know that they’re not the pastels you know. They’re the modern, fresh, powdery-but-not-twee pastels of 2025.
