The discreet charm of manicure without nail polish
And that requires twice as much dedication, but no one needs to know about it
G-Club
May 15th, 2025
May 15th, 2025
Let’s turn off the UV lamps, put down the electric nail files, and take a deep breath. We've officially entered the era of the naked nails — the kind of bare nails that whisper “I did nothing, and yet I’m cooler than you.” Forget french manicure and mirror-effect gel nails. In 2025, the real nail trend is to look like you just rolled out of bed, but only if the bed is five stars and you slept eight hours with a keratin hand mask on. Because yes, nude nails are the new statement. They don’t shout, sparkle, or cut glass: they just exist, quietly powerful in their transparency, matte finish, or subtle gloss.
(Fake) messiness is the new chic: the new trend of nude nails
If the truth is we forgot to apply nail polish or didn’t feel like going to the manicurist, let’s lie. We've read enough to spin this "forgetfulness" into an aesthetic choice. Let’s repeat it to ourselves — and everyone else: this non-manicure, or no-nicure, isn’t laziness, it’s existential minimalism. It's quiet care, it whispers: “I’m doing shadow work… on my cuticles.” And if the nude nail trend is (literally) in the hands of Zoë Kravitz, queen of effortless chic, Sofia Richie Grainge, Margot Robbie, Matilda De Angelis, and Phoebe Dynevor, why can’t we just go natural too? And how can we forget Sarah Jessica Parker, whose Carrie Bradshaw showed us you can be a style icon even with bare nails furiously tapping on a MacBook.
Looking effortless takes effort
So here’s the recap: while we were busy choosing between midnight blue and olive green for spring, the world moved on with clear nails. Bare hands are the new symbol of low-key refinement, a kind of quiet luxury for fingertips. The luxury of not having to perform, even with your hands. But be warned: there’s a fine line between "I didn’t put polish on because I’m cool" and "I didn’t put polish on because my life is in shambles." Naked nails only work when well cared for: the surface needs to be smooth, compact, healthy. Think well-moisturized skin under a no-make-up look... Sounds easy? That’s the trap: to have natural but beautiful nails, it takes more effort than two coats of raspberry red polish.
YEPODA - The Pinky Promise
19€
PATCHOLOGY - Perfect Ten Moisturizing Hand and Cuticle Mask
10€
LICIA FLORIO - Sesame Scrub
22€
MANUCURIST - Kit Rescue
39€
L'OCCITANE - Shea Nail and Cuticle Oil
15€
TWEEZERMAN - Exclusive Dusty Rose Tea Manicure Set
20,69€
GALLINEE - Crème Mains
12€
LE MINI MACARON - Cuticle Oil Pen
8€
HAAN - Hand Soap Purifying Verbena
12,90€
COCO MONOÏ - Hand and Nail Cream Kit
12€
MAVALA - Masque Exfoliant Lumière
29,80€
How to get pretty nails without polish
The au naturel nails of Emma Marrone or Nicola Peltz Beckham look effortless, but what no one posts - because it’s not as cute as a flat lay with matcha and perfect hands - is that editorial-ready naked nails require disciplined maintenance. It all starts with nail care. They need to be nourished, strengthened, pampered in ways your ex never managed. Jojoba oil at night, biotin serum like a personal trainer for fingers, and shea butter applied with the same devotion your grandma saves for her Sunday prayers. Nail filing becomes a silent ritual: no back-and-forth scrubbing, just steady motions in one direction. Cuticles are not to be cut, but softened with a cuticle oil and gently pushed back with a wooden or metal stick. And then there’s the queen herself: the hand cream. You want it present but not overwhelming, effective but subtle, moisturizing without being sticky. When you find the perfect formula. Panthenol, niacinamide, urea, maybe a hint of old-school glycerin: you might not be changing the world, but at least your hands feel right.
Ready to give up nail polish?
Actually, we don’t have to choose. You can wear chrome nails on Friday, get a natural glossy finish on Sunday with a strengthening clear polish, and go bare again on Monday. Keeping that nail polish bottle closed lets your nail plate breathe and strengthen. It all depends on your mood, your style, and how much time you want to give to your hand care. Let’s just remember: the naked nail aesthetic isn’t giving up. It’s just the most elegant way to say: “I take care of myself. Gently. With jojoba oil." The rest? None of your business.
