Though fashion’s pendulum may have swung away from quiet luxury, nails have done the opposite. “We’re hitting a saturation point with nail art and bold colors on social media, so it’s only natural for some people to start gravitating the other way,” said Chanel nail artist Betina Goldstein.

According to GlossGenius, a salon management company that works with over 100,000 businesses, booking requests in the U.S. for “natural” nails nearly doubled in 2025 and are projected to grow another 46% this year. Japanese-style manicures, which use natural pastes with keratin and beeswax to strengthen and add shine in lieu of polish, are becoming more popular at salons like Gilded Ritual in New York’s Tribeca. Some are ditching gel manicures because of concerns that it’s harmful to the nails; in 2025 the European Union banned TPO, a chemical in some gel polishes.

Minimalist nails may read laissez faire, but they aren’t effortless. “Natural nails require a different kind of maintenance,” said New York-based manicurist and Essie global ambassador Rita Remark. Get the look with these four steps.

Ease off of gels

Shifting back to natural nails post-gels can be a process. First, make sure the gel polish is removed as gently as possible. “Ideally that means filing or drilling just the top layer and then soaking the rest off,” said Goldstein. “The gel itself isn’t really the problem, it’s improper removal that does the damage.”

Though your inclination may be to let nails “breathe” and keep them bare, that can do more harm than good. “Nails are super vulnerable post-gel so a strengthening nail treatment or hydrating varnish is helpful for keeping the nail bonded and healthy as it heals and grows out,” said Remark.

Brighten your natural nails

Discoloration can be an impediment for many who want to go natural. Sometimes it may simply be an inevitable consequence of nails thickening as you age, but a light buff can take care of superficial staining from dark polish, smoking or cleaning products. One old-school trick that Goldstein recommends is using a whitening toothpaste to brush off mild discoloration. To avoid future discoloration, never neglect a solid base coat before you polish. “It creates a barrier between your natural nail and the colored polish,” adds Goldstein.

Choose a barely-there polish

Many of the “natural” nail looks showing up most frequently on the red carpet are actually selectively varnished. At Saint Laurent’s fall 2026 fashion show, Zoë Kravitz’s hyper-natural almond-shaped nails looked fresh and slightly dewy—the handiwork of celebrity manicurist Jin Soon Choi.

She calls the technique an “invisible French,” whereby she uses a barely there pink base and, instead of the traditional white, paints the natural nails’ tips a very sheer milky tone. The effect is subtle but elegant. Manucurist’s Active Glow polish treatment has a similarly glossy effect that makes the nails look healthier. “It evens out the nail tone, adds shine and a healthy glow, but still looks very natural,” said Manucurist co-founder and CEO Gaëlle Lebrat-Personnaz. “It’s like no-makeup makeup but for nails!”

Keep a routine

Natural nails demand regular home care, said Remark. That should consist of a cuticle oil, hand cream and nail treatment product to address brittleness, splitting or softness.

Much like with the skin on your face, a solid moisturizer is key. “Regular hydration cures and conceals a multitude of nail issues,” said Remark. Goldstein also recommended massaging vitamin E oil into your nails.

Picks From the Experts

Chanel La Base Camélia Base Coat

“This is like a BB cream for your nails,” said Goldstein.

EPhd Bond Repair Nail Treatment

“Adding this into your routine as a strengthening treatment can go a long way in helping weak nails,” said Goldstein.

Essie ‘To the Rescue’ and ‘Good as New’

“‘To the Rescue’ is great for post-gel healing, and the color is so skin-tone flattering. For ridges and dents, ‘Good as New’ is concealing and has a pretty demi-matte sheer pink hue that gives an unbothered French girl finish,” said Remark.

Gohar World Host Gloves

“You need to protect nails from daily aggressors,” said Lebrat-Personnaz. “Wearing gloves when cleaning and avoiding prolonged exposure to water makes a big difference.”

Manucurist Active Glow

“A glossy, luminous finish makes the nail look instantly healthier,” said Lebrat-Personnaz.

Karma Naturals Nail Polish Remover

“This oil-based remover is one of the few that doesn’t leave nails or the surrounding skin looking stained,” said Goldstein.