Soap Nails: The Fresh, Dewy Manicure Everyone’s Talking About

If you really love your nails looking clean and glossy, then you’ll love the latest manicure obsession taking over TikTok, red carpets, and salons everywhere: soap nails.

This minimalist nail trend is all about achieving that squeaky-clean, “just-washed” glow — the same way soap bubbles glisten under the light. Think fresh, dewy, understated, but make it luxury.

What Exactly Are Soap Nails?

Soap nails are the manicure equivalent of “quiet luxury.” They give off a polished, and expensive vibe without trying too hard. Let's understand this signature look:

The Look: Clean and effortless. No chunky glitter, no bold art. Just pure gloss and elegance.

The Colors: These are soft, translucent shades in milky whites, baby pinks, sheer nudes, or whisper-light pastels. Think of colors that look natural but slightly enhanced.

The Finish: It’s an ultra-high shine. It has glossy, almost wet finish that makes them stand out.

This trend focuses more on nail health than nail art. It’s all about keeping nails looking strong, smooth, and fresh — with just a subtle tint of polish to elevate the natural vibe.

Who’s Rocking Soap Nails?

Like most nail trends, soap nails went viral because celebs and influencers couldn’t stop wearing them. Be it at the red carpet or in an Instagram selfie, everyone’s showing off their squeaky-clean mani.

Selena Gomez often gets sheer pink almond-shaped soap nails that are simply effortless glam. Kylie Jenner has also jumped on the soap nail train, often flaunting nude-pink, glassy nails that perfectly match her “clean girl” aesthetic. Emma Stone, Kate Hudson, Felicity Jones, and Maya Erskine all showed off their versions of soap nails on recent red carpets like the Golden Globes and Oscars — proving this trend isn’t just TikTok-approved, but also Hollywood-approved. And of course, manicure icons like Hailey Bieber and Bella Hadid have been spotted with glossy, sheer neutrals that nail the soap nail vibe. When A-listers are swapping chrome and neon for clean, glossy nails, you know it’s about to be huge.

How to Get the Soap Nail Look

The best part? You don’t need a celeb manicurist to achieve soap nails. A good nail master and quality products can help nail that look. Here’s your step-by-step:

1. Start with Prep

Clean your nails thoroughly and remove any old polish. Now, shape your nails into soft square, almond, or squoval shapes. Try shorter lengths as they tend to look fresher. Gently push back cuticles and buff the surface so your nails look smooth and even.

Read more on how to get your nail prep right:

2. Pick Your Polish

Choose translucent shades in pink, nude, or milky white. Look for “jelly” or “syrup” gel polishes if you want a subtle tint. Builder gels or strengthening bases are also perfect for achieving that smooth, glossy finish.

Here is our collection of Lipgloss and Elite Nude shades that are perfect for this:

We also have builder polish in different shades that will nail this look:

3. Apply in Thin Layers

The secret to soap nails is transparency. Apply just one or two thin coats — enough to give color, but not so much that it looks opaque. The natural nail should peek through.

The key to this is the right brush. Irina, our founder, is very particular about this, as it can make or break that polished, refined look that we aim for. So she designed the perfect professional brush to make it easier and faster to get this look.  

4. Seal with Gloss

A glassy, high-shine top coat is non-negotiable. It’s what gives soap nails their “wet” look. Get a gel top coat so you get that lasting shine.

5. Hydrate Your Nails

You can now finish with cuticle oil and a good hand cream. Soap nails are all about looking healthy, and nothing ruins the vibe faster than dry cuticles.

Why Everyone Loves Them

Soap nails are a lifestyle statement. In an era where “quiet luxury” is everywhere, soap nails are the manicure version of that aesthetic. You can rock this style at a red carpet and in your everyday wear. They are fit for any outfit or season, and make your hands look instantly polished. So if you think you want something minimal and effortless instead of neon brights and glitter, soap nails are your new go-to. After all, nothing says put together like a fresh, glossy, clean manicure.