If you want a fresh start mani, you can’t really get much fresher than the Soap Nails we keep seeing everywhere. Where elsewhere the 2024 nail trends call for maximalism with high-impact techniques like 3D nails and hi-vis shades like tomato red, Soap Nails are the subtle alternative nestled quietly (but assuredly) at the other end of the spectrum. So minimalists, this one’s for you…
What are soap nails?
Taking clean and simple nail designs to another level, soap nails effectively mimic the effect of squeaky clean nails. It takes that fresh mani feeling (when your nails have been scrubbed, buffed, trimmed and filed), adds in some softening exfoliation and gives you the look of a mani that’s just emerged from soapy suds after a bubble bath.
It gives bare nails a wash of super glossy top coat that gives nails an almost wet-look clean finish. But you can tailor the trend by layering sheer pink tints or milky shades beneath. And you can finish with some subtle nail art if you like, in similarly low-key, clean shades like crisp white or frothy cream.
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How can you create soap nails?
Since this is the manicure equivalent of no makeup makeup, your base is important. And, just as you can’t achieve no makeup makeup without upping the ante on your skincare, Soap Nails require you to give your nail beds some proper TLC. This means drenching your nails and cuticles in nail oil whenever you can and spending more time on prep than on polish when it comes to the manicure itself.
Your nail artist (or you, if you’re keeping your manicure in house) will need to focus on thoroughly cleaning nails of any previous polish, buffing them until they shine, neatly trimming away rough cuticles and filing them so they’re beautifully symmetrical. Once they’re in good shape, that’s when you can give them a glow-up with a sheer wash of ultra glossy polish and top coat. You can keep it completely clear or choose a formula with a pink tint or a milky hue. The colour is less important than an ultra fresh finish. To wrap things up, you’re gonna want to ensure your hands have had the same treatment, so exfoliation with a sugar scrub followed by a moisturising hand cream or mask will give you the softest skin to pair with immaculate soap nails.