Nail fashion, just like style trends, is always evolving. Remember those long claws or the super short nails with that cool reverse French twist? The way you present your nails often speaks volumes about your personality!
As we dive into 2025, there’s a noticeable shift towards embracing the natural nail look. Thanks to the ‘Clean Girl’ vibe that’s catching on, people are starting to prefer celebrating their inherent beauty, with a touch of polish, of course!
These days, beauty enthusiasts are leaning away from costly manicures and captivating colors, opting instead for clean, well-groomed short nails. This year is all about nail care and the buzz around the ‘Minimalistic Manicure’ is peaking.
Who really set this trend in motion? Well, it’s none other than The Princess of Wales herself! Kate is rarely seen with flashy nail colors.
Sure, she’s sported a bit of red here and there, and her wedding day nail look featured a milky white color. But fundamentally, her nails are neat, elegant, and mostly color-free.
How to Achieve Kate’s Look at Home
Star manicurist Lucy Tucker, whose clients include A-listers like Emma Stone and Scarlett Johansson, is all in on the return to natural.
She describes the ‘Kate Middleton manicure’ as a blend of healthy, timeless elegance that’s both chic and effortless. In her words, “More folks are stepping away from gels and heavy designs, choosing clean, easy nails instead. It’s not just beautiful; it’s also easy on your nail health and super sustainable.”
For those of you wanting to nail this look at home, Lucy suggests keeping your nails precisely short with a gentle roundness. She mentions: “Lightly buff for a natural shine and finish with a sheer nude or pink polish – think Essie ‘Ballet Slippers’ or OPI’s ‘Bubble Bath’“.
Don’t forget to seal the deal with some cuticle oil and a nice hand cream for a truly polished result.
Nail influencer Isabel Blake backs this trend up. She observes that the ‘Princess Nails’ idea is gaining traction, thanks to its classic sophistication. More people are opting for an uncomplicated natural look – and nails are included!
Isabel notes: “A soft pink shade works perfectly to accentuate the hands and brings that effortlessly chic vibe. While I prefer using Biosculpture gel for my clients – it’s a fab product that enhances nail health and grants that natural finish – I know not everyone has the luxury to professionally maintain their nails.”
The secret to manifesting Kate’s signature look at home? Isabel recommends shaping your nails into a gentle square, keeping them short. Give those cuticles a gentle push and begin with a base coat, followed by a light pink option like Bio Sculpture’s ‘French Rose’, topping it off with a protective coat for that manicure finish.
An Insider’s Perspective
As someone who once swore by gel nails and treated myself to manicures every couple of weeks, I’ve recently jumped onto the Kate Middleton bandwagon. While I still adore synthetic gel for special occasions, there’s something effortlessly sophisticated about rocking clean nails without polish. It’s so manageable and looks delightfully fresh!
I continue to pamper my nails and they’ve really flourished. I mix in some Bare Biology collagen into my coffee each day for a boost in nail health, and before uninterrupted sleep, I indulge my nails with Mario Badescu ‘Cuticle Cream’ plus Aesop ‘Hand Balm’ afterward.
Finally, I finish up with the Margaret Dabbs London ‘LED Hand Mitts’ for added skin elasticity and firmness which helps my nails stay long and my skin soft. And to keep my nails from looking fragile and rough, I rely on Margaret Dabbs’ ‘Nail Strengthening Treatment’ for ultimate results.
When I tap my nails against a table, the sound is firm, and that’s the real test!
