The “clean-girl aesthetic” has taken over beauty, from dewy makeup to glossy hair. While nail trends tend to be a bit more experimental (take blueberry nails or 3D nail art, for example), the clean look is making its way to our fingertips this season. Already being worn by celebrities like Selena Gomez and Kylie Jenner, soap nails are spring 2025’s newest nail trend to take Instagram and TikTok by storm. Luckily, the neutral look couldn’t be easier to re-create.
What Are Soap Nails?
Soap nails are a sheer, barely there manicure that mimics the pearly, sheer glow of a soap bubble. “Imagine soap nails like the look you have when you’ve just gotten out of the bath, shower, or from the spa and it’s just your clean, fresh, perfect nails,” says celebrity nail artist and Tweezerman pro partner Tom Bachik, who works with Gomez. Since soap has a natural glossy iridescence, the nail iteration has a high-shine finish, which gives a your-nails-but-better effect (even though the color is sheer).
How Do Soap Nails Differ From Milky Nails?
While the two neutral nail trends have a lot in common, soap nails are even more natural-looking. “They are similar to the milky manicure because they have that same creamy base, but with more translucency, a touch of glimmer, and usually a glass-like finish,” says Lily Nguyen, celebrity manicurist and founder of Labo Beauté Salon. “While milky nails are more opaque and creamy, soap nails look more dewy, with a barely there tint that gives off a classic, clean vibe.” Galdina Jimenez, nail artist and global education manager at OPI, says that soapy polish can look wet, courtesy of the high-gloss finish. “Unlike milky shades, soap hues have more of a pink or peach tint to them,” she adds.
How Do You Create Soap Nails?
A soap manicure starts with a high-gloss sheer-pink, nude, or soft-white shade. “I like to use a color somewhat similar to one’s natural nail bed,” Bachik explains. “The tone can range from a shade darker to a shade lighter than your natural color. Choosing a color slightly pinker can help make nails look healthier.”
Don’t neglect nail care when creating a soap manicure. “With soap nails, the manicure is even more important, as that’s the base for the entire look,” says Bachik. “I meticulously focus on the cuticles, perfectly shaped nails from finger to finger, and well-hydrated, glowing skin. I start every look using my favorite Tweezerman x Tom Bachik Ultimate Nail Care Set to help me precisely create the perfect canvas.” For neutral shades, Bachik loves to use the Aprés Lights and Shadows collection, which has a range of neutral and light pink shades. To create the high-shine finish, Nguyen says a chrome powder or pearlescent top coat can be used to give dimension and add to the “wet” look.
Can Soap Nails Be Worn on Any Nail Length or Shape?
The best part of soap manicures is that the look is universal, no matter the length or shape of your nails. “The soft translucency is very flattering, making nails appear healthier and more youthful,” Nguyen says. Don’t be afraid to switch up the tone of the pinky polish too. Jimenez says there’s a plethora of light-pink shades with warm, cool, or neutral undertones that are meant to complement a variety of skin tones and shade preferences. She opts for OPI Put It in Neutral, Passion, or Baby, Take a Vow for neutral pink hues.
However, to amplify the clean look, a shorter nail “lets the sheer color glow, as opposed to length,” Nguyen adds. “On shorter nails, the translucent finish helps elongate the fingers, while on longer nails, the look becomes even more elegant.”
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