Clouds of burgundy and navy blue have officially cleared, making way for clear, nude and pink nails in time for summer. As determined by manicurists and nail techicians, this minimalist forecast also reveals the return of “soap nails” — the pale pink and pearly white color fad onset by Tom Bachik, artist to Selena Gomez, last year — but this time, with a translucent overcast.
“Right now, I’m loving sheer, ultra-glossy manicures inspired by the recurring ‘soap nails’ trend,” said Stephanie Stone, celebrity nail artist for Sally Hansen. “They feel soft, polished and timeless, which is exactly why they’re such a natural fit for wedding season and summer in general.” Bare nails, too.
“There’s been a lot of talk recently about the trend of having bare nails, as ‘rich girl’ aesthetic,” said Rose Herr, founder of the manicure tracking app, Polished. “But oftentimes the ‘bare’ nails actually are wearing polish. Wearing a nude polish can overall help make you look put together, plus they go with everything.”
A favorite of Hailey Bieber, the naked trend sounds simple enough but can be tedious in the execution. With baskets of pale pink and nude shade swatches to choose from, how do you know which to pick?
“Some colors can look a little washed out on certain skin tones, and that usually isn’t the desired effect,” Herr said. “You may also notice that sometimes a color looks just OK, and then you get a tan — or spray-tan — and suddenly it looks amazing. Ultimately though, it’s up you.”
If it’s a clear, glossy coat you want, the color should have subtle pink undertones. If it’s a matte ivory, beige or fawn you want, it may take a few tries to find the middle ground between all three. Part of mastering the manicure is being bold and brave enough to speak up if the shade isn’t what you want.
Herr suggests OPI’s “Let’s Be Friends” as an alternative to the ultra-popular “Ballet Slippers.” She said: “This has become increasingly popular recently even though it’s been around for a while. It’s a pinky sheer shade.” She also recommends Essie’s “Of Corset” for nude sheer, Après’ “Kana Believe It,” which was worn by Nicole Kidman at the Oscars, and Deborah Lippman’s “Delicate,” which is a “clean pink” with a tinge of shimmer.
According to celebrity manicurist Alexandra Jachno, the 2026 bride favoring the “no-mani mani” aesthetic should reach for more milky nudes like Dior Vernis in 108 Muguet. These are the shades that “won’t compete with the ring,” Jachno previously told WWD. She also warned 2026 brides to stay away from “sharp square nails” as they’re not practical. “To make sure their nails are healthy, the right length that they desire and ready for up-close pics, they should use ePhD bonding treatment. It helps strengthen and grow your nails and will help your manicure to look flawless. The last thing you want is a broken nail when you’re ready for your gorgeous ring photos,” Jachno continued.
