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ailey Bieber and Jennifer Lopez have been inspiring us lately with their barely-there nail designs. While JLo favors a nude manicure, Bieber focuses more on glazed chrome nails to give that subtle yet intriguing finish. Thanks to these celebs, barely-there nail designs are picking up momentum in the manicure space, so we thought it wise to keep you updated. In this article, we spotlight seven chic designs that’ll definitely encourage you to hop on this natural and low-key nail style.
But first, what are barely-there nail designs?
This is the soft girl’s go-to nails — the minimalistic manicure that leverages “delicate brushstrokes of light, subtle nudes, and peachy pink colors that blend right into the skin,” as Glamour Magazine puts it. These nails not only advocate for subtility but also healthy, well-maintained nails as all the bells and whistles that would normally distract are missing.
There are several barely-there nail designs to experiment with, from French tips to sheer pinks, and all result in the same understated elegance aesthetic. This manicure allows your natural nails to take the spotlight while adding a hint of color or shimmer. They are perfect for both day and night and surprisingly versatile for different occasions.
Check out the barely-there nail styles to try this season…
#1. French manicure
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This option will always be in style. Ask your manicurist for a classic French with a sheer pink or nude base to accentuate the white tip. The tips can be painted on cleanly and precisely or done by hand for a slightly imperfect and natural look. A French manicure works on short or long nails and looks great with negative space showing off the natural nail near the cuticles. This is an easy go-to look for both day and night.
#2. Glazed chrome
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Hailey Bieber popularized the glazed donut nails that feature a sheer white or baby pink chrome powder buffed onto natural nails. The powder flaunts a subtle metallic finish that reflects light similar to a mirror glaze. Unlike a traditional chrome powder manicure, this look is less intense and has a softer transparent finish. The glaze aspect helps the powder adhere evenly across the nail for a smooth shiny surface. It’s an edgier take on the glossy neutral nail and flatters all skin tones.
#3. Transparent nails
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This barely-there nail design focuses on letting your bare natural nail bed take center stage by coating it with a clear gel or powder. The transparent nail hardener helps strengthen nails while allowing your God-given manis to shine undisturbed. It’s a great way to take a break from polish and show off healthy, well-manicured nails. An occasional sheer coat of ridge filler gives the nails a smoothed-out finish.
#4. Ice cream sweets
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If you want to play with a wider range of hues, opt for soft serve-inspired shades like creamy pistachio, peach sorbet, bananas foster, or a classic French vanilla. These fun, dessert-like colors keep things muted and natural. The family encompasses various beiges, corals, pinks, and browns that pair nicely with warmer skin tones. Go for lighter shades so the tone difference doesn’t contrast too harshly with tan or olive complexions.
#5. Sheer pinks
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For a whisper of color, try subtle pink hues that don’t intrude on the natural nails underneath. Ballet slipper pink, seashell pink, and soft corals look romantic and feminine as ultra-sheer coats. Make sure the shades have a jelly-like transparency instead of being too opaque. One coat is enough, but you can build up the color slowly if needed. The paleness keeps things low-key and delicate.
#6. Soft nudes
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You can play with different shades of soft nude polish beyond the basic beige. Nudes encompass various skin-toned shades of brown, gray, beige, and taupe. Go for nudes a few tones lighter than your skin so they don’t look too brown against your complexion. Sandy shades with a drop of peach or pink soften the look while mushroom grays make the conversation stay modern and edgy.
#7. Cashmere chrome
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This season, don’t think of cashmere in the traditional sense of luxurious wool. In barely-there nail designs, cashmere refers to a sheer milky brown shade with hints of gray that resemble the fabric color. Up the ante with a metallic glaze that’s still understated but with hints of purple, silver, or muted brown that make it less warm than traditional chrome. Leverage a light buffing on the nails to create an ethereal, misty effect. Amp it up by layering on more powder for an opaquer cashmere sheen.
Featured image: @jenny.jennys/Instagram
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