Fairy Nails: The Ethereal Trend Taking Over Hollywood
Anyone with a finger on the pulse for nail trends will have spotted a theme this summer. Sheer, natural shades and dainty, delicate designs are officially in – with the likes of lychee nails and ‘ballet blush nails’ leading the charge – but it seems every week, they’re getting a flattering new upgrade.
Introducing ‘Fairy Nails’
Defined by natural pinkish-white hues, softly illuminated finishes and a subtle, pearlescent glow, think of them as chrome’s fresher, trendier, more whimsical older sister. In recent weeks alone, A-listers such as Hannah Waddingham, Zendaya and Florence Pugh have made a seriously strong case for fairy nails as the most sophisticated take on ‘quiet luxury’ nails to date.
What are fairy nails? If the name suggests something magical, the reality isn’t far off. "Combining ultra-sheer, milky white and delicate pink bases with an iridescent finish creates a soft-focus look that catches the light with a luminous shimmer," explains Daisy Kalnina, founder and CEO of The GelBottle Inc. The result feels glamorous in a grown-up way, while embracing the ethereal femininity (and whispers of glitter) you might associate with the fairycore aesthetic.
It’s a look that works in many variations, though classic soft square, squoval or almond brings out that clean elegance in the best way. The key to recreating fairy nails is "allowing the natural nail bed to peek through slightly" as this maintains the light airiness that’s central to the look. What sets these apart from the bare nail look is how they catch the light. A traditional ‘quiet luxury’ manicure relies on a flat, glossy top coat over a static base, while fairy nails create visual depth without adding physical weight.
How to Achieve the Look
Kalnina recommends applying thin layers of polish (one layer will offer a sheer base, while two will make the effect slightly more visible), then "finishing with an ultra-fine, translucent pearl chrome powder to achieve that soft glow-from-within effect."
Fairy Nail Inspiration
Here are five of the prettiest fairy nail ideas to bookmark for your next nail appointment:
- Short fairy nails: Cindy Ord//Getty Images – Hannah Waddingham’s petite rounded oval shapes pair beautifully with a reflective, pearly white take on fairy nails.
- Sheer fairy nails: Karwai Tang//Getty Images – Zendaya’s goddess-inspired look with washes of blushed pink that are sheer enough to grow out seamlessly (and stretch time between salon trips) but with a hint of shimmer on top.
- Holographic fairy nails: Karwai Tang//Getty Images Samir Hussein//Getty Images – Florence Pugh debuted a near-metallic variation of the fairy nail trend, with a creamy, cool-toned white base colour with a tinge of baby pink.
Product Recommendations
Magical manicures, this way…
- Essie Pure Pearlfection (£8.99 at Amazon)
- Nailberry Star Dust (£17 at nailberry.co.uk)
- Barry M Glazed Sheer Nail Paint in Playful (£4.49 at Boots)
- Rimmel London Super Gel in Glazed Sugar (£6.99 at Boots)