How to Nail the Minimalist Naked Manicure Trend

How the “Naked Manicure” Trend Came to Be

If you’ve noticed the bare nails of Nicola Peltz Beckham and Reneé Zellweger on red carpets recently, you’ll see they’re opting for a cleaner, more minimalist approach to nail care. 

“Minimalism trends have been gaining traction, driven by a growing shift toward natural beauty, simplicity, and nail health,” explains GELISH Soak-Off Gel Polish ambassador Morgan Haile. “Celebrities and influencers have popularized this trend with neutral, sheer tones, celebrating their effortless elegance and low-maintenance appeal.”

MANUCURIST founder Gaëlle Lebrat-Personnaz noticed a major shift once we went into COVID lockdown, which hasn’t died down since. “People started doing their nails at home and taking a break from harsh gels and acrylics,” she says. “There was this shift, just like in skincare, toward nail health first, with a return to clean, glowy looks that celebrate the natural nail. We couldn’t have been happier. It’s exactly the reason I created MANUCURIST. People want effortless but polished. It's the French-girl beauty of nails.”

It also doesn’t hurt that this approach is arguably better for the nails. “There’s a growing awareness around ingredients,” the founder says. “People are more informed and want safe, clean formulas that don’t damage the nails over time.”

How to Nail the “Naked Mani”

Step 1: Prep Your Nails

Like with any manicure, nail prep is key. But because this particular beauty trend relies so heavily on well-kept cuticles and nail beds, with a focus on the enamel itself, it’s imperative to keep the prep on point. Haile suggests using the following as inspo for your manicurist (or yourself, if you decide to DIY the neutral nail trend from home):

a) Remove any existing polish.

b) Shape your nails with a nail file, trimming and filing them to your desired length and shape.

c) Push back your cuticles gently with a cuticle pusher, using a cuticle remover to soften them first.

d) Smooth out the nail surface lightly with a buffer to also remove any shine.

e) Cleanse the nails with a lint-free wipe and and alcohol to remove any dust or oils.

We’re fans of the easy, on-the-go ALLEYOOP Swipe Left - Acetone-Free Nail Polish Wipes, which are perfect for travel. And speaking of travel, we can’t leave home without our chic DECO MIAMI Glass Nail File.

Step 2: Apply a Builder Gel or Strengthening Treatment

For this step, Haile recommends brushing on a thin, even layer of the clear GELISH Brush-On Builder, which has a thicker, harder consistency than traditional gel. Builder gel can help repair damaged nails, prevent breakage, and create a foundation for nail art and extensions. 

The expert suggests starting at the cuticle area and applying a thin coat over the entire nail. Next, she cures the gel under a UV or LED light for 30 seconds or one minute, respectively. “If you want more strength or a slight extension, apply another layer of product and cure once again as you please,” she says. “This will help create a stronger, more durable base.”

We’re also fans of strengthening treatments, which simply enhance your natural nails and help keep them strong on their own without any gels or curing treatments. Our personal pick is the JINSOON HyperRepair Nail Treatment, which nourishes, strengthens, restores, rejuvenates, and moisturizes. The MANUCURIST Active Range also is a line containing nourishing, brightening, your-nails-but-better shades.

Step 3: Apply Top Coat

If you opt for builder gel, you can apply a top coat that accompanies the product you use. Haile recommends the GELISH Top It Off coat, because she says it “seals in the look and adds shine.” If you go in this direction, you’ll want to cure the top coat under the UV or LED light as you did in the previous step. 

If you use a strengthening treatment or traditional polish, we’re big fans of the ESSIE Gel Couture Top Coat, thanks to its durable, gel-like finish that doesn’t require any light. Once applied, allow it to air-dry.

Step 4: Cleanse and Finish

Once your nails are cured or air-dried (depending on which direction you decide to go), Haile recommends either washing your hands or grabbing a lint-free wipe and alcohol to remove any sticky residue.

Next, you’ll want to apply cuticle oil “to nourish your cuticles and keep your nails healthy,” the pro says. We can’t leave home without our trusty NCLA So Rich Cuticle Oil, which is infused with nourishing vitamin E—making it something we reapply throughout the day to ensure our hands look their healthiest. 

And with that, go put your best hand model moves on display!