Your Guide to Soap Nails, the Buzzy Mani Trend of 2025

I fell head over heels for glazed donut nails, then I was obsessed with milk bath manicures, so it’s no surprise to anyone that soap nails are the glossy manicure I’m eyeing this year. While it has nothing to do with submerging your hands in soapy water and walking out the front door, it does have the aesthetic feel of being in a five-star spa. If you’re wondering what the heck soap nails are, or simply want to try it yourself at home, I chatted with two nail artists to learn more about the latest trend—plus, I compiled ten ideas to get you started. 

• Erica De Los Santos is a freelance nail artist and founder of Nail'd It Beauty Lounge. She specializes in gel, gel-X, acrylic, hard gel and dip techniques. Her expertise has taken her beyond the salon, working on editorial shoots for L'Officiel and assisting on brand campaigns for Fenty, Ulta Beauty and Express. She's also assisted backstage at fashion shows including Ralph Lauren, Marc Jacobs, 3.1 Phillip Lim, and Helmut Lang.
• Lauren Ortega is a DND Gel nail artist based in New York. She is an independent artist that specializes in minimal designs, BIAB manicures, press-ons and nail art. Her work has been featured in Business Insider, Real Simple and Allure. 

Soap nails are soft, sheer manicures that aim to complement your skin tone. As De Los Santos explains, “This manicure gets its name from the way nails look after being washed with soap and water—fresh, clean, slightly pink and naturally glossy. The trend focuses on enhancing the nails' natural appearance rather than covering them with bold colors or designs.”

In the world of French ombrés, baby boomer nails and clean girl aesthetic, this latest manicure sits right in the middle. Since January, soap nails have been all over TikTok and Instagram, but I’ve mostly seen them on the red carpet, with stars like Ariana Grande, Mikey Madison and Selena Gomez rocking the buzzy manicure. “We all hit a point where we want to start fresh and what better time than spring? The season works to bring new energy into the home and I think the same can be said for nails. This look is a clean slate for a new season. It's the complete opposite of the dark, moody colors we wear during the winter season,” shares Ortega.

According to De Los Santos, you’ve probably been asking for soap nails without even realizing it. Since some manicurists may not be familiar with the trendy name, all you need to ask is for a sheer nude polish that closely matches your skin tone or a pink hue that enhances your natural nails. 

While you can book an appointment with your manicurist, the experts share three helpful tips on achieving the look right at home.

1. Prep your nails. The experts recommend removing any previous polish before shaping your nails, trimming hangnails and gently pushing cuticles back. Once you finish tending to your dry cuticles, work on buffing the surface of your nails and cleaning it with acetone for a smooth base.
2. Apply your base nail polish. Use a nude, soft white or baby pink color to achieve the trend. De Los Santos suggests starting with a single coat of polish. However, if you want a sheer look, she recommends two coats to enhance the translucency.
3. Seal the look. Apply a top coat for a glossy, long-lasting finish. De Los Santos notes, “If you can’t find the perfect nude shade, simply applying a glossy top coat can help you achieve the soap nail look. Some people naturally have good blood circulation in their nails, which enhances the effect, creating a flawless, natural finish without the need for polish.”

Want a manicure that reminds you of a scent-worthy bubble bath? Selena Gomez’s manicure is a great reference pic for your next nail appointment. “A single coat of milky polish creates this soft, natural finish that enhances your nails without looking overdone,” says De Los Santos.

If you want a more defined milky look, De Los Santos recommends applying two coats of white polish. “It gives a slightly more opaque yet airy look,” she adds. 

Although traditional soap nails stray away from nail designs, you can break the rules and consider adding minimal nail art to make it uniquely yours. “Add tiny pearl accents, fine white lines, or micro dots for a delicate touch without taking away from the clean finish,” says De Los Santos.

Or you can just add one statement nail without doing too much to your minimal manicure. 

A French manicure is always the way to go, so combining it with this latest trend can elevate your look. “Just pair a sheer base with a soft white tip for a subtle French manicure that blends seamlessly with the soap nail aesthetic,” says De Los Santos. 

If you’re itching for a pop of color, consider a bold French tip, but keeping the base simple ala soap nails. 

There’s nothing wrong with a bit of shimmer. De Los Santos recommends adding a sheer chrome or pearl powder to give soap nails a soft, iridescent glow. 

This nail design brings soap nails to life. As Ortega explains, “The beauty of soap nails is that you can wear them however you like. Spice them up with extremely minimal details like a simple dot near the cuticle area or some 3D details.” 

The experts say any nail shape can work with soap nails and this almond style is proof. Grab your nail filer and go start round up the edges for a chic, minimal mani.