Right now, there’s a lot of discourse around nails—specifically bare nails. My FYP is filled with videos saying how bare nails are the next “status symbol”, and I’ve never been asked by more people for gel nail alternatives. Personally, I believe that manicures will never go away, and wearing gel nails or having nail art is one of the most fun forms of self-expression in beauty.
However, with these things aside, there’s a whole range of reasons you might want to go for a bare nail look. Perhaps your occupation means that nail polish is a no-no, or, if you’re in between your beloved salon appointments, perhaps you want your nails to look neat and polished whilst you wait for your next manicure.
Right now, I’m on a nail health journey. And whilst I love a manicure and experimenting with different nail colours and nail polishes, I can fully understand that it can sometimes feel like a lot of upkeep to maintain. So over the past few weeks, I’ve been deploying my nail serums and nail strengtheners, and have been embracing bare nails for the most part. However, bare nails don’t have to be boring, and there are so many ways to enhance them, whether with a tinted nail polish or kits to enhance the natural shine of your nails. So, if you’re in need of some bare nail ideas, scroll on below for some of my favourite bare nail looks and products to get the look at home.
Bare Nail Ideas
1. Japanese Manicure
If you want to achieve a healthy, glossy-looking manicure without any polish on your nails, then the Japanese manicure might be for you. It works by applying a nail serum or wax into the nail plate, before using a nail buffer to seal it in and give your nails a natural-looking shine. This set has everything you need to get the look at home, and also includes a cuticle oil to encourage healthy nails and cuticles.
2. Naked French
Kiko Milano
French Manicure White Pencil
If you’re going for a bare nail look, then why not try a French manicure pencil? Designed to be applied to the underside of your nails, it makes the tips of your nails look instantly brighter and healthier, whilst remaining natural-looking—think of it as a soft French manicure. It’s a great way to make your nails look neat without needing to apply polish, and a great alternative to a French manicure if you’re not able to wear polish for whatever reason.
3. BB Cream Nails
Manucurist
Active Smooth 01
For a “your nails, but better” look, I implore you to try Manucurist Active Smooth polishes. Coming in a spectrum of shades to suit all skin tones, these work like a BB cream to offer your nails a perfecting tint whilst remaining natural, but they can be built up into a more milky finish if you wish. They also help to strengthen the nails as you wear them, making them a nail strengthener and nail concealer all in one.
4. Sheer Pink Nails
Essie
To the Rescue Nail Polish
I’ve seen this sheer pink nail polish and nail-strengthening hybrid being used by all the top manicurists, and it’s such a good treatment for repairing weak, bendy nails whilst giving them a perfecting tint that still looks natural.
5. Pink Tint
Manucurist
Active Glow Raspberry
The Manucurist Active Glow polishes are a chic way to embrace your bare nails whilst giving them a sheer, juicy tint of colour that looks so pretty. It comes in a range of fruit-inspired shades that can be layered up for more intensity, but even just one coat is enough to enhance nails without them looking like you’re wearing anything at all. They’re also packed with extracts to boost your nail health. Think of them as a nail tint with added nail care benefits.
6. Ballerina Nails
Chanel
Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in Ballerina
Out of all of Chanel’s nail colours, Ballerina is the one that delivers a soft, milky pink manicure that looks like it could be your bare nails. As the name suggests, it leaves a soft, tulle-like tint to your nail plate, making bare nails look naturally enhanced with one coat, or slightly milkier with two coats. It’s one of my favourite nail polishes for a “bare nail” finish.
7. Sheer Chrome
Manucurist
White Glazed Effect Powder
Who says bare nails have to be boring? I adore this sheer chrome nail look. Whilst the glazed nail looks of the past few years have been created with a pink or sheer white base, this manicure could easily be replicated on a very sheer nail colour or base coat.
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