The 'Soap Nails' trend is 2024's answer to the minimalist manicure
Nail trends for 2024 are all about embracing the next phase; the next phase in texture, shape, colour, finish and art.
We're looking to different cultures for inspiration (read: the aurora nail trend) and being introduced to new subcultures online that influence our nail art too (think: coquette-inspired bow nails).
But what about the classics? Well, the French manicure certainly isn't going anywhere, red nails are simply called 'cherry mocha' now, and nude nails have survived another year too.
Last year, nude nails were glossy and sheer and we called them 'lip oil nails'.
As for 2024? Manicures are fresh and clean. Introducing: soap nails.
What are soap nails?
Soap nails are intended to look freshly manicured all the time, not just five minutes after your salon appointment.
Polish is applied in sheer layers to match the hue of the nail plate, and the finish should look transparent, glossy and wet, like soapy water.
However, it's not the nail colour, but the manicure itself that's the most important part of this nail trend.
Cuticles and nails should be neatly and carefully trimmed. It's also a good idea to exfoliate the hands and don't forget to keep them well-hydrated with a cuticle oil and hand cream.
What nail polish colours work well with the soap nails trend?
Soap nails don't have a prescriptive colour palette, so if you want to stick to a tried and true classic nude like OPI's Bubble Bath ($18.99 at Chemist Warehouse) or Essie's Ballet Slippers ($8.99 at Priceline), that'll work here.
But if you want to try a shade that's a bit more modern, 'Peach Fuzz' (AKA Pantone's colour of the year), is perfect for this nail trend. Tip: Revlon's Ultra HD Snap Nail Polish in ‘Keep Cool’ ($8.39 at Chemist Warehouse) works a treat.
Don't have a nude nail polish in your kit? Hailey Bieber's nail artist always has these 3 nude nail polishes on hand.
Main image credit: @tombachik
Briar Clark got her start in the media industry in 2017, as an intern for Marie Claire and InStyle. Since then, her keen interest in fashion and beauty has landed her gigs as a Digital Content Producer and Beauty Editor with titles like Girlfriend, Refinery29, BEAUTYcrew and beautyheaven. She loves the way seemingly innocuous topics like skin care and style have the ability to put a smile on people’s faces or make them think about themselves a little differently. A big believer in self love and experimentation, Briar has made a point of becoming the Australian beauty industry’s unofficial guinea pig for unusual treatments and daring hair trends. When she’s not testing out the latest beauty launches, Briar is big on broadening her horizons, mostly in the form of food but she’s also partial to travelling to new destinations both near and far (and of course, allocating an extra bag to bring their best beauty offerings home with her).
