If you want a fresh start mani, you can’t really get much better than the soap nails we keep seeing everywhere. Where other 2025 nail trends are calling for maximalism with high-impact techniques—such as 3D nails and striking shades like tomato red—soap nails are the subtle alternative nestled quietly (but assuredly) at the other end of the spectrum.
So minimalists, this one’s for you… Here’s everything to know about the soap nails trend.
What are soap nails?
Taking clean and simple nail designs to another level, soap nails are all about mimicking the effect of squeaky clean nails. It takes that fresh mani feeling—you know, when your nails have been scrubbed, buffed, trimmed, and filed to perfection—and adds in some softening exfoliation. The result? A manicure that looks like it has just emerged from soapy suds after a bubble bath.
To get this effect, the bare nails are given a super glossy top coat that gives the nails an almost wet-look clean finish. However, you can tailor the trend to your preference by layering sheer pink tints or milky shades beneath. You can also finish with some subtle nail art if you like—though to stay on trend, it’s recommended to stick to similarly low-key, clean shades like crisp white or frothy cream.
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How can you create soap nails?
Since this is the manicure equivalent of no makeup makeup, your base is important. And, just as you can’t achieve no makeup makeup without upping the ante on your skincare, soap nails require giving the nail beds some proper TLC. This means drenching your nails and cuticles in nail oil whenever you can and spending more time on prep than polish when it comes to the manicure itself.
Your nail artist—or you, if you’re keeping your manicure in house—will need to focus on thoroughly cleaning nails of any previous polish, buffing them until they shine, neatly trimming away rough cuticles, and filing them so they’re beautifully symmetrical. Once they’re in good shape, that’s when you can give them a glow-up with a sheer wash of ultra glossy polish and top coat. You can keep it completely clear or choose a formula with a pink tint or a milky hue. The color is less important than an ultra fresh finish.
