Fairy Nails: The Latest Manicure Trend Taking Over Hollywood

The summer nail trend is all about ethereal Beauty, with sheer, natural shades and delicate designs leading the way. Lychee and ‘ballet blush’ nails have been popular, but now ‘fairy nails’ are stealing the spotlight.

What Are Fairy Nails?

Defined by natural pinkish-white hues, softly illuminated finishes, and a subtle, pearlescent glow, fairy nails are considered a fresher, trendier take on ‘quiet luxury’ manicures. Daisy Kalnina, founder and CEO of The GelBottle Inc., explains that they combine ultra-sheer, milky white and delicate pink bases with an iridescent finish to create a soft-focus look that catches the light with a luminous shimmer. They offer a glamorous, grown-up feel while embracing the ethereal femininity associated with the fairycore aesthetic.

Achieving the Look

Kalnina recommends applying thin layers of polish – one layer for a sheer base, two for a slightly more visible effect – and finishing with an ultra-fine, translucent pearl chrome powder to achieve that ‘glow-from-within’ effect. The key is to allow the natural nail bed to peek through slightly to maintain the light airiness.

Styling Tips & Inspiration

Fairy nails are incredibly versatile, working well with classic soft square, squoval, or almond shapes. Celebrities like Hannah Waddingham, Zendaya, and Florence Pugh have embraced the trend, showcasing variations like petite rounded oval shapes, goddess-inspired washes of blush pink, and near-metallic holographic sets.

Featured Polishes

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)