Clean, Glossy & Perfect: Here's How To Recreate The 'Soap Nails' Trend

The sleek almond shaped and glossy finish 'soap- nails' are totally having their moment lately. Think clean, soft, and natural; leave behind the loud 3D claws and bold colors that you used to obsess over. Everyone from Victoria Beckham to Selena Gomez is making a strong case for the milky, high-shine 'soap nails' trend as it takes over Instagram to become the 2025's most-wanted manicure. Here's how to recreate the look.

What Are Soap Nails?

Soap nails are the new glow-up in the nail world. They are clean, glossy, and totally perfect. Think of milky whites, soft pinks, and nudes with a shiny, just-out-of-the-bubble-bath vibe. Basically, 'soap nails' are nothing but your nails way more polished.

Made popular by the celebrity nail tech Tom Bachik, the ultra-glossy soap manicure can be done at home with polish or even in-salon with gel or BIAB (Builder In A Bottle).

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According to ORLY UK Ambassador Lou Stokes, soap nails are where skincare meets nail art, perfectly capturing the “less-is-luxe” beauty trend. She describes them as clean, fresh, and super glossy nails in milky or soft pink tones with a sheer, neutral finish.

For instance, have a look at Zendaya who graced the carpet at the 2025 Golden Globes in custom Louis Vuitton, a glitzy Bulgari choker, and a nostalgic bob. She paired them with strawberry milk nails, a spin-off of the soap and milk-bath manicure trend. A soft and milky color, mid-length, and rounded—subtle, yet enough to make her new bling sparkle that much louder.

How To Recreate Soap Nails?

Stokes explains that nail care is the key to pulling off the soap-and-nail look: "Extremely shiny, well-groomed nails are what gives this manicure a luxurious feel and squeaky-clean finish." Just like makeup, it all starts with the base. Nail prep and care are the foundation for that effortlessly polished result.

Start by softening your cuticles with a remover or some warm water, then gently buff your nails for a smooth base. To nail Selena Gomez’s look, go for the trending almond shape. But if your nails are on the shorter side, square or round tips work just as well.

Pick your perfect milky shade and apply it in smooth, even layers. To give your nails a real glow-up, add two coats of top coat to get that ultra-glossy, soap-like shine. Finish it off with a swipe of cuticle oil for that fresh, salon-worthy look.

Or maybe, if you’re heading to your nail appointment soon, you know what to ask your nail tech for.