Soap nails are the latest viral nail trend combining a clean, soft, and minimalistic aesthetic with a subtle glossy finish. This blog explains what soap nails are, where the trend started, how to achieve the look at home or in a salon, and tips to maintain this effortlessly chic manicure.
The beauty world is no stranger to viral trends, and the latest nail aesthetic making waves on TikTok and Instagram is soap nails. Loved for their clean, minimalist finish and subtle shine, soap nails mimic the look of freshly washed, glossy skin — think soft pastels, sheer tones, and ultra-glossy top coats.
Where did the trend start?
The soap nails trend has its roots in South Korea, a country widely recognized for setting global beauty standards—especially in skincare and nail art. South Korean beauty culture emphasizes purity, minimalism, and a fresh, healthy appearance. The rise of the “clean girl aesthetic” and “glass skin” trends naturally extended to nails, leading to the creation of what we now call soap nails.
In Korean nail salons, sheer colors and high-gloss finishes have been popular for years. These looks focus on enhancing natural beauty rather than masking it. Korean beauty influencers began showcasing translucent, milky manicures that resembled the soft glow of freshly cleansed skin—leading to the nickname “soap nails.”
The trend gained international momentum through TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts, where Western beauty influencers began replicating the look. Using hashtags like #soapnails, #cleangirlnails, and #milkynails, the aesthetic went viral. Short-form video content played a crucial role, with creators demonstrating the transformation from bare nails to glossy, almost “wet-looking” finishes in satisfying tutorials.
What do soap nails look like?
Soap nails are all about subtle elegance and a clean, polished appearance. The look typically features sheer or pastel base colors—think milky whites, soft pinks, and warm nudes—that give the nails a barely-there, fresh finish. What makes them stand out is the ultra-glossy top coat, which creates a wet-look shine reminiscent of freshly washed hands. The nails are usually shaped in a natural way, often almond or softly rounded, and kept free of bold nail art or heavy embellishments. Many nail lovers also opt for BIAB (Builder in a Bottle) as a base for soap nails, since it adds strength, smoothness, and a naturally voluminous finish that enhances the glossy, minimalist effect. This minimalistic yet refined style fits seamlessly within the popular "clean girl" and "quiet luxury" aesthetics that continue to dominate beauty trends across social media.
How to get soap nails?
Achieving the soap nail look at home is easy with a few simple steps and the right tools. Here's how to create that clean, glossy finish from start to finish:
- Start by prepping your nails: remove any old polish, file your nails into a natural shape (like almond or rounded), and gently buff the surface for a smooth base. A clean nail plate helps polish or gel adhere better and creates a flawless finish.
- Next, apply a thin layer of the PN Selfcare SelfGel Base Coat, which helps smooth out the nail and provides a long-lasting foundation. Once cured, follow with one or two coats of a sheer SelfGel color — soft pinks, milky whites, or nude shades work perfectly for the translucent, natural effect that defines soap nails.
- To lock in the look, apply the PN Selfcare SelfGel Top Coat for a glass-like shine. This step is key to getting that fresh, "just-washed" glow. After curing, finish by massaging a small amount of cuticle oil into the skin around your nails to boost hydration and enhance the clean, dewy aesthetic.
Conclusion
Soap nails are the perfect mix of simplicity and sophistication. This fresh nail trend is here to stay — ideal for anyone craving a polished look that feels clean, modern, and oh-so-chic. Whether you're a nail art minimalist or just looking to switch up your manicure game, soap nails are definitely worth a try.
