12 Clean Girl Nail Ideas To Inspire Your Next Manicure

There’s something to be said for simple, natural-looking manicures—they’re timeless, low-maintenance, and give off a classy, effortless vibe. Minimalist nails look gorgeous on any skin tone and offer the perfect blank canvas to match every style and occasion.

If you’re a minimalist at heart, you’ll be happy to hear that subtle, barely-there manicures (also known as “clean girl nails” on TikTok) are being embraced by nail artists, celebrities, and influencers everywhere right now. Read on to learn more about the “clean girl manicure” trend and browse some of our favorite ways to master this sophisticated look at home or at the salon. 

The “clean girl manicure” (also known as the “clean manicure”) is a polished, minimalist nail aesthetic that focuses on a “your nails but better” approach. It gets its name from TikTok’s popular “clean girl” aesthetic, which has gone viral recently with over 252 million posts and climbing. 
 
This understated manicure is all about achieving a natural, fresh look with well-groomed nails, simple nail designs, and neutral colors—especially milky white, clear, baby pink, sheer apricot, and light brown. Most clean manicures call for a sheer wash of color on short- or medium-length nails, usually with a high-gloss finish. Some nail enthusiasts also like to experiment with this trend by adding delicate pops of color or micro nail art to their minimalist manicure. 

Keep scrolling for some clean girl nail inspiration, plus nail polish recommendations to help you recreate these minimalist looks by #ItTakesAPro Team Artist and nail pro Karina Andrade (@glossy.studios).

Chiffon nails are the latest “quiet luxury” nail trend with roots on the red carpet. This creamy nail color is chic and versatile, matching pretty much any outfit or style. To create this classic chiffon manicure, opt for almond-shaped nails and use Gelish Soak-Off Gel Polish in Tan My Hide. Top it off with a pearly top coat for an extra-dreamy, romantic final touch.

You don’t have to stick to nude shades when embracing the clean girl aesthetic. Classic light pink shades with a shiny, sheer finish, like OPI Nail Lacquer in Ballerina Pink or Princesses Rule, make the perfect base coat for this delicate manicure. For an even trendier look, use a ‘90s-inspired pink jelly polish as your top coat—this will give your manicure an extra-glossy, glass-like finish.

Milky white nails are all over social media right now, and they’re the ultimate upgrade to a classic nude manicure. This trend is easy to recreate and embodies the clean girl aesthetic while enhancing your natural nails and hiding any imperfections. Some of our favorite milky white nail polishes include classics like OPI Nail Lacquer in Funny Bunny and Gelish Soak-Off Gel Polish in Sheer White.

Playing with different nude shades is a great way to keep your minimalist manicure looking fresh. Try choosing a nude nail polish in a color that’s a few shades lighter or darker than your skin tone—this will add a neutral pop of color that stands out while still playing into the clean girl aesthetic. Short, square nails work well for this look, but any nail shape can be equally flattering. 

French manicures are a staple for clean girl nails, and they’ve been making quite a comeback this year. For a French mani with a twist, try this abstract nail art version at your next nail appointment. You can also recreate this chic look at home with a few essentials, like Gelish Gel GELM Pro Feeling French Kit and Gelish Harmony Maestro Pro Oval Nail Art Brush.

Add a bit of daintiness to a clear or nude manicure with micro flower nail art. To get the look, start by using OPI Nail Lacquer in Put It In Neutral as your base. Next, use a nail art brush or press-on nail decals to create super-delicate white flowers on each finger (or stick to your ring and middle finger, if preferred). Place a few tiny rhinestones between each flower for a bit of bling, and your micro manicure is complete!  

Iridescent, pearly nails fall somewhere between sheer sparkle nails and glazed donut nails. This look is ideal for anyone who prefers a high-sheen, shimmery manicure inspired by both clean girl and mermaidcore aesthetics. To create mother of pearl nails, you can use a mix of soft shimmers, sheer chromes, and a pearlescent finish—we recommend OPI Nail Lacquer in the shades Put It In Neutral, I Mica Be Dreaming, and Pay Me in Rubies Chrome.

Pro Tip: Mother of pearl nails are an excellent recommendation if you’re a nail artist who works with brides. The opalescent finish will create a romantic effect that’s perfect for any big day. 

This minimalist style is exactly what it sounds like—a French manicure that uses glitter (instead of white) on the tips of the nails. If you’re going for clean girl nails, opt for subtle glitter shades, like this holographic silver French manicure on short, round nails. Silver tips will add a bit of pizazz to your French manicure without straying too far from a simple, clean look.

Cloud nails are another “my nails but better” trend that’s elegant and simple to recreate at home. For this dreamy look, start with long coffin tips, apply one coat of Gelish Soak-Off Gel Polish (or Xpress Dip Power) in the shade Color Bug, and finish with a high-gloss top coat. This shade will add just the right amount of color for a sophisticated, milky finish. 

The “Vanilla French” is a modern twist on the classic French manicure. It’s essentially a softer, slightly hazy variation with creamy, peach undertones—making it perfect for fans of luxurious clean girl nails. It typically looks best on longer, almond-shaped nails and is often paired with a deep French technique (where the lines go higher up on the sides of each nail).  

Coquette Chrome is where clean girl nails meet the trendy coquette aesthetic. Starting with shorter, almond-shaped nails, paint your nails with a semi-sheer chrome nail polish—like OPI Nail Lacquer’s Glazed N' Amused or Gemini and I. Next, paint small silver bows on your ring fingers to complete this playful, feminine look.  

Yet another French manicure trend that’s perfect for clean girl nails is the Micro French. Traditional French manicures are taking on a very thin, natural look this year with hardly noticeable, very fine tips. Opt for a classic white shade for this one or add a dainty touch with soft pink tips using Gelish’s Go Girl gel polish. 

Next Up: Trend Alert: Tortoise Shell Nails