Juicy textures, juicy formulas, juicy lips; the world is loving all things juicy and dewy right now. In a Korean-inspired, skincare-like, paired-back approach to nail art, we’re seeing “lipgloss nails” take centre stage, and the look is poised to overtake “glazed doughnut” nails in popularity during 2023.
So what exactly are lipgloss nails?
Lipgloss nails see fingertips adorned in a somewhat-transparent pinky hue that’s delicate, soft, and deliciously lustrous – much like freshly glossed lips. It’s like the off-duty model look of the nail world, and its climb to superstardom on social media only makes sense given the rise of the “vanilla girl aesthetic”, which – as Glamour’s Elle Turner so perfectly puts it – displays “luxe, cosy minimalism” with neutral colours that are “natural, fresh and pretty”.
This nail trend is sheeny and sheer, much like vanilla girl makeup is, and it suits nails of every size and shape.
Unlike glazed doughnut nails, lipgloss nails are created using your natural nail shade as a base, rather than an opaque pink. To get the look, you start with a basecoat, then layer a translucent pink shade (like Essie’s Fairy Tailor) until you have your desired colour.
Then – and this is the most crucial part – you apply at least two layers of topcoat. This final step is what will give your nails an almost jelly-like, squishy-looking finish. The result is simply scrumptious – like a fairy cake, but for grown-ups.
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You can add sparkles to this look if you fancy (like sprinkles, if you will), but they should be encapsulated within the polish rather than sat on top – this is what will maintain the yummy, juicy finish. Encapsulated sparkles also look more like the kind of sparkles you’d see in a fun Y2K lipgloss than topcoat sparkles do. (We’re obsessed with Tower 28’s ShineOn Lip Jelly in ‘Magic’, in case you were wondering).
If you’re thinking of donning the trend, there’s one more thing you need to consider: prep. We know it can be a drag, but prep is absolutely essential here because you’re letting your natural nails shine. This means you gotta buff and file your paws to perfection before even thinking about polish. Just remember to be careful when caring for cuticles – don’t cut any skin unless you’re trained to.
Instead, simply push your cuticles back with a cuticle pusher, and remember to moisturise with cuticle oil. Dior does a simply divine cuticle creme that’s great for on-the-go moisturisation because it isn’t messy or overly oily.
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Lipgloss nails are the new low-maintenance beauty trend, that we can ~definitely~ get onboard with.