Neutral nails never go out of style—and with minimalist beauty not slowing down any time soon, OPI’s classic Bubble Bath polish is seemingly everywhere.
The iconic shade is a minimalist’s dream. With an ultra-soft and feminine finish, Bubble Bath creates an almost nostalgic look that mimics that dreamy, pinkish hue of a freshly drawn bath with a dash of bubbles poured in. Similar to the ultra-viral glazed donut and milk bath trends that took over a few months back, Bubble Bath features that cloudiness that’s characteristic of the look.
Meet the expert
- Natalie Minerva is a nail artist and OPI Global Ambassador.
- Jin Soon Choi is a celebrity nail artist and founder of an eponymous nail-care brand.
“What makes Bubble Bath so iconic is its versatility in its neutrality,” says OPI Global Ambassador Natalie Minerva. “It’s wearable for any occasion and instantly makes your nails look elegant and clean.”
Want to try your hand at the iconic Bubble Bath color? Read on below for manicure inspiration.
Classic Bubble Bath
This is definitely the most popular way to wear Bubble Bath. It’s a subtle and universally flattering look that’s perfect for any occasion. To get the style, simply apply one to two thin coats of OPI Bubble Bath and shape according to your preference, says Minerva.
Glittery Swirls
If you’re a fan of nail art, you’ve seen the squiggles and swirls that every it-girl is rocking. There are a variety of ways to tap into the trend, but a combination of neutral colors and metallic flakes provides a modern and elegant look.
Fire Flames
Who doesn’t love a tip embellishment? With the ‘00s making a comeback in a big way—from low-rise jeans to micro mini-skirts—it’s only right to bring back the classic flame design that just screams early aughts. You don’t have to dedicate your entire manicure to flames, either. Choose a nail or two and apply Bubble Bath for the base and then draw on your flames using a thin brush.
Polka Dots
Do polka dots ever go out of vogue? A chic and versatile nail art design, it’s also super simple to achieve. Founder and celebrity nail artist, Jin Soon Choi recommends applying one coat of Bubble Bath to each nail and then dipping a small dotting tool into the red nail polish, creating a few dots on each nail. How you design the polka dots is really a matter of preference, but try to avoid overcrowding the nail, especially if they’re on the shorter side.
Floral Fantasy
Florals? For manicures? Groundbreaking. But seriously—flower manicure designs are always adorable and add a fun, whimsical touch to your nails. For this design, try experimenting with colored french tips and alternating designs on each nail for a modern feel.
Marble Nails
Marble manicures are hardly new—I spent far too many hours in high school trying to mimic the look—but they make a sophisticated manicure that never really goes out of style. Once your base of Bubble Bath is set, place a few drops of nail polish into a cup of water. Swirl the colors together on the surface with a toothpick and then carefully dip your finger into the swirl. Voila! You have your marble nails. Just clean up the edges once the nails have had a chance to dry and you’re all set.
Ransom Note Mani
With such a neutral base, you can really get creative with manicure designs! Minerva styled this “ransom note” manicure on resident it-girl Addison Rae (if it works for Addison, it works for us!) by applying the classic Bubble Bath shade to help accentuate the nail’s natural features. Then, Minerva added cut-out letters while the polish was still a little wet and finished the style with a clear coat to keep everything in place.
Chrome Nails
Glazed donut nails aren’t going anywhere. Remaining a popular trend, they’re the perfect pick for summer vacation. Using the milky base of Bubble Bath, layer a champagne chrome powder like Manicurist Glazed Effect Powder on top for a super soft and simple look.
Rainbow French
Bubble Bath is the perfect base color for French manicures—and whether you’re doing the classic white tips or are experimenting with a bit of color, the neutral base is ideal for adding a mild wash of milkiness to the nails in order to cover any flaws and make the tone look even.
Adorned With Bows
Hair bows, bows on blouses, accessories with bow details… the ballet-core style is pretty much inescapable. Now, it’s time to level up the obsession and add bows to our nails, too. For a 3D style, apply your favorite gems after a few coats of Bubble Bath for an effortless yet unique manicure.
Neutral Diamonds
As the iconic Rihanna once said, “shine bright like a diamond.” Taking it to heart—and to our manicures—diamonds make a regal and chic addition to any neutral base, but especially with the cloudy tone of Bubble Bath.
Fruit Accents
This unexpected twist on a French manicure is chic and playful. The simple base of Bubble Bath allows for a neutral canvas to play around with a variety of designs—from summer cherries to slices of lemon.
Tiny Hearts
The adorable red hearts punctuating the flawless Bubble Bath base add a playful, yet still minimalistic, element to this design. To recreate the look, apply a few coats of Bubble Bath and then, when dried, grab a small nail brush to dot on the hearts.
Disco Gems
Feeling bold? Level up your manicure with a few sparkly gems for a touch of disco glam. The era of glitz and glam is showing up in big ways, from bold ’70s hair to shimmery eyeshadow, so why not bring a bit of sparkle to our nails, too?
Skater Chic
This edgy nail design is the perfect blend of playful and refined. The alternating patterns and use of negative space creates a striking balance that is minimalist and fun, with the bare sections creating a captivating effect. The great thing about using Bubble Bath when playing with negative space is that it creates a flawless base, making the perfect canvas for any design.
Sandy Foundation
Don’t underestimate the power of layering shades. “Sometimes, I’ll layer nudes to create the perfect combination for someone’s particular skin tone,” says Minerva. For this look on Kaia Gerber, Minerva applied one coat of Samoan Sand and then added one coat of Bubble Bath on top for a beachy look that was red-carpet ready.
Subtle Ombre
This subtle ombré design proves just how stunning an almond-shaped nail can be. For this look, start with a layer of Bubble Bath to the whole nail. Then, apply a gradient of colors (only two or three shades are needed) for the second coat. Start with Bubble Bath at the base and then work your way to the lightest shade at the tip of the nail. Lastly, use a nail brush to blend together and when dry, add a top coat for a glossy finis.
Neon Accent
Neons are forever a summer staple. For a simplistic design that still has a touch of eye-catching color, use a fine-line brush to paint on your neon dots at the base of the nail. If you want a bit more color and are feeling bold, try some French tips or color blocking!
Rose Quartz
We love an unexpected take on a classic, neutral nail. This simple rose quartz design is great for a minimalistic look that also has an air of elegance. Mimic the style by adding one coat of Bubble Bath and then layer it with two coats of Essie Sugar Daddy. In between coats, use a white polish, like JinSoon Absolute White, to create the lines for a marble-like effect.
Kawaii 3D Styles
Manicures aren’t just a bit of polish and a splash of color. Sometimes, they’re a whole work of art with 3D fixtures, ombre and intricate designs. The neutral tone of Bubble Bath can easily pair with more wild nail art for balance, making it the perfect base for fun designs. For this look, Minerva used Bubble Bath as the base color and then added “a ton of cute Kawaii style nail art.”
