Glazed donut nails, patent leather nails, pierced nails, ornate nail art—experimenting with your manicure is so much fun, but sometimes you just want to hit the reset button in favor of something simple and a touch more subtle. Enter “lip gloss nails,” a new twist on the classic pale pink polish that could just be the manicure you’re looking for as we head into 2023. If you’re a fan of minimalism, ultra-shiny finishes, and/or the latest twists on glazed and chrome nails, this trend is sure to have you feeling especially radiant no matter what’s on your agenda. Ahead, learn all about the lip gloss nails trend, complete with manicurist insights and 10 stunning examples.

 

What Are Lip Gloss Nails?

While we’re not telling you to swipe lip gloss over your manicure—that would be a sticky mess—lip gloss nails are exactly what they sound like: a light, sheer coat of color with a glossy, shiny finish. Just like a swipe of subtle pink lip gloss brings life and light to your lips, lip gloss nails go with everything and look great on all nail lengths, from pointy stilettos to short, squared-off tips. They’re like the little black dress of manicures: always on trend and easily customizable to your skin tone, personal style, and daily routine.

 

Lip gloss nails have their roots in a few existing trends: jelly nails (a bright but sheer wash of color); the controversial, minimal “Clean Girl” aesthetic; and the frosty, shimmery glazed donut nails popularized by Hailey Bieber. If all these trends got together and had a baby, you’d have lip gloss nails. They’re also similar to a pink and white service at the nail salon minus the white tips, and are the grandchild of Dior’s Nail Glow ($30) and other nail concealers of the world.

Celebrity manicurist Tom Bachik has been a pioneer of the nude, glossy manicures that sparked the lip gloss nails trend, employing this minimalist, high-shine technique on stars including Jennifer Lopez and Nicola Peltz Beckham. A growing list of high-profile nail artists have joined in this phenomenon, helping the look to quickly become a go-to for anyone who wants to balance a versatile minimalist look with the latest trends.

While classic lip gloss nails are pale pink and shiny, that doesn’t mean you have to stick to that exact formula to get the look: The manicure style is easy to tweak to your mani-pedi preferences. A quick scroll through TikTok is an easy way to see the many facets of lip gloss nails, from super-sheer jellies to a classic everyday sheer pink and super glossy natural pinks. The cornerstones of the trend are pale nude and pink shades—sometimes almost translucent against the nail—and a shiny finish, just like the Lancôme Juicy Tubes ($20) of yore or today’s Tower 28 ShineOn Jelly Lip Gloss ($16).

 

Lip Gloss Nails vs. Similar Nail Trends

Lip gloss nails aren’t a totally new nail innovation, but rather a clever name for a twist on an existing mani style. “This trend is like the neutral version of the jelly trend that was big during the summer,” explains celebrity nail artist Sonya Belakhlef. “This year, we’ve seen a lot of really intricate and bold nail arts trending, including cool geometric looks and bright, neon colors. With nail trends, the pendulum always swings, and more minimal looks like this are like a breath, or a pause, between the bigger looks.”

Belakhlef adds that lip gloss nails are piggybacking on the current sheer, glossy trend for skin, lips, and even hair. “It’s a very simple way to elevate any look,” they say. Celebrity manicurist, Gina Eppolito, agrees: “Lip gloss nails, the subtle sister to glazed donut nails, are once again on trend—it’s the perfect pop to your natural nail manicure.” The look you go for is totally up to your personal preference: Jelly nails are great if you want a sheer wash of color or whimsical feel, glazed or chrome nails are the ultimate choice for iridescence, and lip gloss nails are ideal for a shiny neutral finish that blends in as much as it stands out.

 

How to Get the Look

If an easygoing, shiny pink lip gloss manicure is just what you’re craving this time of year, Belakhlef recommends Orly’s First Kiss and Rose-Colored Glasses ($11 each), which are respectively a pale pink and a sheer rose crème. “They offer this semi-sheer, glossy neutral look,” they share, noting that the colors are available in both gel and regular polish. “Gel also gives the extra ‘jelly’ look more naturally, as it’s more viscous.”

Belakhlef also likes Cirque Colors’ Rose Jelly, a milky, sheer pink, and Chiffon, a sheer ballet pink ($13 each). Eppolito loves Londontown’s Perfecting Nail Veils ($20), particularly the sheer dusty rose Nail Veil #4, which acts almost like a concealer for your nails, and the Gel Genius Top Coat ($20) for that super-shiny finish. We also think Le Manoir’s line of sheer jellies ($19 each) are a great option, whether you’re looking for a classic neutral finish or feeling inspired to try something more colorful.

Manicured cuticles and nail beds are key to the lip gloss nail look. To get any manicure off to a good start, Eppolito submerges a bottle of Londontown’s Nourishing Cuticle Oil ($20) in hot water for a few minutes. “Gently massage into your cuticles for two to four minutes, as it stimulates [the cuticle] and makes it easier to push back,” she says. Once you’re done grooming your cuticles, clean off the nail, apply your chosen shade, and follow with a top coat.

Lip gloss nails are an easy-to-wear crowd-pleaser, but Belakhlef especially likes the look on longer nails. “While you don’t need to have super long nails to rock this, they look great on nails with a little extra length,” they share. It’s also versatile: “This manicure is perfect to wear anywhere,” Belakhlef tells us. “It’s a great bridal look, for holiday parties or special events, and even just a good daily look. What’s fun is that you don’t have to worry about matching your outfit or jewelry specifically to your nails.”

 

The Best Lip Gloss Nails to Try

Everyday Staple

Recreate the subtle pink tint you know and love with these understated, sheer rose-toned lip gloss nails. While they may be simple, they’re anything but boring: The shiny finish makes a luxe statement while pairing perfectly with almost any look.

Lip Gloss Love

While the base of lip gloss nails may be fairly minimal, you should feel free to personalize them with whatever designs you’d like. The tiny red hearts here add a sweet touch without overwhelming the understated aesthetic.

Ombré Lip Gloss Nails

Create the manicure version of a summer lip combo with a set of vibrant ombré lip gloss nails, another trend that has come from the rise of this shiny, sheer aesthetic. Try going with a shade you might choose for a lipstick or tinted gloss, like peach or Barbie pink.

Glitter-Lined Lip Gloss Nails

Bachik created this manicure on Jennifer Lopez for the Shotgun Wedding premiere, and it’s perfect for wedding nail looks and evening events alike. The silver glitter trim adds subtle drama to the nude lip gloss finish.

Bedazzled Bliss

Whether you have a Taylor Swift Eras Tour concert coming up or simply love a touch of sparkle, colorful gems are a fun way to upgrade a set of peachy nude lip gloss nails. This mani uses the Rainbow Fish Rhinestones from the Cirque Colors Surfer’s Crush Collection Set ($97).

Gloss and Pearls

While pearls may not be the most practical for gluing onto your lips, they do add the perfect touch of decadence to a glossy mani. These ones are almond-shaped to match the overall nail, which creates a luxe, elongated silhouette.

Pearl French

While many modern French manis switch it up via color, design, or silhouette, these lip gloss nails show that another standout option is upgrading the finish. By pairing a glossy neutral base with pearlescent white tips, you get a fresh take on the classic look.

Lip Gloss Garden

You know those lipsticks and lip glosses with the colorful dried flowers suspended in the middle? Recreate that vibe on your nails by adding a few tiny blooms to your lip gloss mani. The ones here are arranged in a semicircle at the cuticle for a put-together feel.

Pearlescent Pink

This pastel pink mani is a stunning glazed donut-lip gloss nails hybrid, with a finish that toes the line between iridescent and shiny. It’s understated enough to go with all your most minimalist looks, but it’s still positively mesmerizing.

Less Is More

If you love a good clear lip gloss (and we can totally relate), choose a translucent polish as close to your natural nails as possible to create a similar effect. This understated look is sure to garner countless compliments when everyone notices your fresh and put-together mani.